Kolkata, the city of joy, has always had a historic tryst with China. There is a significant Chinese population in the city and the people of Kolkata have taken to Chinese food like a fish to water. Hundreds of quality Chinese restaurants operate in the city but few of them have genuine breakfast options. This paradox has been solved at the Chinese food paradise in Terrati Bazar. The speciality of this region is that the food is only available during the early morning hours and the items predominantly focus on breakfast.
The history of Chinese settlement in Bengal
The trade relations between India and China have always been good. The main items of trade previously were opium and tea. The Battle of Plassey in the year 1757 was an assertion of British governance in Bengal and during this time, the port city of Kolkata grew in importance. The city underwent modernization and so did the ports and the docks thus making it a popular attraction for the traders. Many of these Chinese traders who came to Kolkata during this time for trading purposes, stayed back. During this time, China was under the Manchu dynasty and the Ming dynasty had just ended.
The people who stayed back were mostly from the poorer sections of society. They were small traders and farmers in the majority and they decided to try out their luck in this new city. Slowly, this number of settlements grew and they spread out in various parts of Kolkata. One of the important personalities who had an impact on these Chinese settlements was Tong Achio. He obtained the land and permission from Warren Hastings to set up a sugar mill and as a result, he brought in large numbers of labourers from China. The hand-drawn rickshaw (cart) which is a popular mode of transport today was also started during his time and it made transportation cheaper and easier.
Zones of Chinese Settlement in Kolkata
The Chinese population soon moved to a region near Esplanade and another section inhabited the Tyangra region. The main profession of these Chinese people involved tanneries, dentistry, business, and restaurants. Some of the finest Chinese delicacies in Kolkata can be found in China-Town in the Tyangra region as the area boasts of some of the best Chinese restaurants in town.
What is so special about Terrati Bazar
The food that you will find here in Terrati Bazar can be mostly classified under street-food. The breakfast paradise consists of stalls instead of restaurants and the locals sell some authentic Chinese breakfast items. The prices are pocket friendly and the taste unparalleled. You will get fresh home-made pork and chicken sausages, spring rolls, noodle soup, and of course the most popular item, momos (dumplings). Some rarely known Chinese delicacies can also be found here such as Zung, which is a form of sweet rice that contains meat. The best thing about the food items here is that these are prepared with original Chinese sauces and spices which bring the unique taste to the items. The food served is fresh and piping hot and you can enjoy a sumptuous meal at a reasonable price. So come and experience this rich variety of breakfast for a healthy and tasty bite early in the morning.
Conclusion:
Terrati Bazar is almost a sentiment with hundreds of years of history behind this place. The people of Kolkata have made this place into a landmark and today, the Chinese breakfast in Terrati Bazar has reached global maps through several prominent food bloggers and tourists who have explored the region. If you haven’t already, it is high time that you head towards this region on a cold winter morning and enjoy a warm bite of this delicious breakfast spread.