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Snacks, mostly savoury ones, are the epitome of a type of food that you keep on eating while doing your household chores, office work, studying or watching movies. Usually, these snacks range from popcorn, potato chips, chocolates, take-out, some drinks, some tea, some coffee and a good company of your social circle. There are times when you want to level up the snacks you’re having. The best way to do that is by scouting the internet for new recipes right? Wrong. We have a snack that hits the nail on the head–prawn chips. Yes, chips made from prawns. It’s legit and it is way more tastier than normal chips.
The history of Indian-Chinese cuisine is intricately woven together by the hardships endured by people who fled their homeland and never came back. With a variety of Indian ingredients, what was originally considered ‘bland’ by native Calcuttans was reimagined to appeal to the local palate. Prawn chips also fall under this category. There are normal ones without any spice and there are spicy ones that almost make you cry. Nonetheless, when you take a bite of prawn chips, you can taste the lingering notes of the prawns. The crunch is very satisfying! But that’s the thing, while many states or countries may not be used to this snack, prawn chips have been popular for a really long time now, that too, worldwide.
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Origin
Prawn crackers have a fascinating history and are most likely native to Malaysia, Indonesia, or Southeast Asia. By combining tapioca and other starches with the leftover ingredients from prawn or shrimp processing, prawn crackers were created in the past to get around this problem. Then, this combination was exposed to the sun, and the heated oil was utilised to give them their characteristic puffy look. Prawn crackers are now a staple of many Asian cuisines, with each location having its own unique touch and method of preparation. Because of this long-standing custom, prawn crackers are becoming more and more popular all over the world. Despite their frequent interchangeability, ‘prawn chips’ and ‘shrimp chips’ are not the same thing. Although there are some similarities between the two, their regional nomenclature and minor variations in ingredients and procedures are the main points of difference. The former is common in Chinese cuisine and consists of a mixture of ground shrimp and starch, frequently enhanced with food colouring for aesthetic appeal. The latter, prawn chips, which combine tapioca starch and prawn flavour are used in nations like Malaysia and Indonesia. They have a distinct texture and flavour. The similarity is that they all share the quality of being light and crispy.
Where To Go For Prawn Chips
The prawns are processed into a smooth paste in the food processor. Next, some tapioca starch, chopped garlic, egg, salt, and sugar are added. They are carved into large flower-like shapes once it acquires a dough-like consistency. After steaming, they are deep-fried in oil. Many restaurants in Kolkata offer prawn chips as a snack for when you’re sipping a drink. Kolkata’s Chinatown and Tirreta Bazaar are two places that serve authentic crispy prawn crackers.
The Chinese community in Kolkata have been here since the 19th century, working as dental professionals, shoe sellers, and restaurateurs. An interesting fact; they introduced the city's first man-pulled rickshaws! Yet their greatest present? The Chinese-Indian cuisine, which is Kolkata's favourite comfort food. In every bite, you can feel Kolkata's rich Chinese influences from Hakka, Cantonese, Hubinese, and Shandong. Once confined to certain areas, it has now branched out throughout the city, appearing in brand-new hotels and restaurants.
Some of the restaurants are Kafulok, Beijing, Kim Ling, Pou Chong that have prawn chips other than being really popular with the Chinese cuisine in the city. Some other restaurants that sell prawn chips are Blue Poppy Thakali, Golden Joy, Chin Wah, Tung Fong, and Mandarin. Kolkata as a city, has mastered the art of using prawn in many many dishes in many different cuisines. Any restaurant in Kolkata will at least have 4-5 prawn based food items on the menu.
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons
4 Popular Prawn Based Items In Kolkata
Prawn Cutlet
For Kolkata’s foodies, Allen Kitchen hardly needs an introduction. Started 130 years ago by Jeeban Krishna Saha, Allen’s kitchen got its name from a Scot, Mr Allen, but the eatery was always owned by the Saha family. Once upon a time, there used to be five outlets across the city, but that has been reduced to a single one at present; near the Sovabazar metro station. The main cook at Allen’s has been working here for over 50 years which is why their famous prawn cutlet has retained the same flavour. If you want to try the prawn cutlet from Allen Kitchen, you’ll have to reach the shop before 4 PM. Otherwise, the snacks will sell out faster than Quicksilver from the MCU.
Address: Metro 1, 40, Jatindra Mohan Ave, Sovabazar, Darjipara, Shobhabazar, Kolkata, West Bengal 700005
Timings: 1 PM - 9 PM
Price: INR 200 for two
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Prawn Tempura
Treat yourself to the finest Asian cuisine at Pan Asian in ITC Sonar. The prawn tempura here is a must-try! Delicious dishes from China, Thailand, Mongolia, Korea, and Japan are made on-site by skilled chefs in three interactive kitchens. Pan Asian is a one-stop shop for Asian food enthusiasts, offering everything from the Teppanyaki and Yakitori preparation styles to the Korean barbecue and hot pots, the Chinese and Thai stir and wok fry, and the Mongolian brazier. With its oriental-colored walls and pillars, Chinese paper lamps, urns, and bamboo shoots, this restaurant is divided into two levels and represents the vitality of the Orient.
Address: G9WX+G3 ITC Royal Bengal, 1, JBS Haldane Ave, Tangra, Kolkata, West Bengal 700105
Timings: 12:30 PM - 2:45 PM and 7 PM - 11:30 PM
Price: INR 5,000 for two
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Daab Chingri
With its traditional yet delectable meals, 6 Ballygunge Place, a traditional Bengali restaurant, enters the picture.Situated in a British mansion, the restaurant features exquisite interior design and well-placed buildings that evoke the splendor of Victorian-era Bengal. We love the daab chingri, which is cooked in the soft coconut pulp with coconut milk. For seafood devotees, we strongly suggest the kakrar gaal pethechi, a baked stuffed crab delicacy.
Address: 6, Dr Amiya Bose Sarani Rd, near Patha Bhavan School, Ballygunge Place, Ballygunge, Kolkata, West Bengal 700019
Timings: 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM and 7 PM to 10:30 PM
Price: INR 1,000 for two
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Golden Fried Prawns
A gem of a restaurant located in the city's very own Chinatown - Tangra, Golden Joy does delectable Indian-Chinese dishes. Another place to go to if you like to have a drink with your meal. The dim sums, golden fried prawns, chopsuey, noodles and rice varieties will leave you spoilt for choice - we personally love the Korean fish Sticks and ginger chicken. Probably China Town's most favourite restaurant, hidden in the lanes of Tangra, Golden Joy serves terrific Thai soup, steam prawns and hakka chilli tofu for a kick of spice and authentic Asian flavours.
Address:50, Matheswartala Road, Topsia, Kolkata, West Bengal 700046
Timings: 11 AM - 11 PM
Price:INR 1,400 for two
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons
