Mohamushkil-a bong foodie's quest
  • Home
  • About
  • Food
  • Travel
  • অং -বং -চং
  • Guest Blogging

Mohamushkil-a bong foodie's quest

  • Home
  • About
  • Food
  • Travel
  • অং -বং -চং
  • Guest Blogging
"kolkata foodscape"fastfood jointsnackssnacksparlourStreetfoodTea

Ujjala Chanachur and that middle aged bhodrolok

written by Indrajit Lahiri August 17, 2017

Let us visualize a middle aged kolkattan bhodrolok. Let us assume this gentleman has reached home after a (supposedly) hard day’s work, he transforms into his customary pyjama and ganjee. And, the next thing he shouts for (with that secret love in his tone) to his be(i)tter half is, “Ki go, cha-ta hobe ?” Now, irrespective of the gentleman is having his share of tea or a small peg of whiskey (often the bottle is carefully hidden in the almirah), chanachur comes as a standard trustworthy companion.

Now, growing up in south Calcutta (yes, it was not Kolkata then), I was often taken on my share of evening walk along the Hazra More and Rashbehari. And, from my childhood days, while crossing the Basusree inema hall near Hazra More, I was often amused to see a long queue in front of one small hole in the wall beside it. It took me years to understand how one shop seeling one non-descript item like Chanachur made a mark in South Kolkata food history. Welcome to Ujjala chanachur. The chanachur shop named after one of the famous movie halls (now gone, sadly) standing the test of time.

Once you’re crossing Basusree Cinema hall and going towards Rashbehari Crossing, you’ll find this on the same footpath. And, the identifiable factor is the standard queue in front of it. Get in the queue. The owner, Mr Ram Chandra Prasad sits there personally and makes sure the same is maintained. He works from 8 AM- 8 PM on all days. Try sneaking in and asking for some chanachur, all you’ll get is “Line e asun” and you’re back to square one. So, wait patiently in the queue and if you’re lucky, you’ll get to meet that gentleman there who has been a loyal customer there for probably decades. Happily, he’ll start narraing those golden days of his youth and you won’t even realize when your turn has come…

They sell many a items, mostly fried snacks items but you may ignore the offerings (like most do) and even need not utter what you need. Because they already know it. Just mention the quantity. The only customization option is you’ll take the masala or not. I’d suggest you go for it. After measuring the amount, this young chap will sprinkle in some magic spice inside the paper bag and hand it over. The price is mentioned for all possible measurements and thus, saves the time for mental calculation.

The chanachur here is of the non-spicy variant (more of the bombay mix type) and the owner makes sure you have nuts in your mouth in every gulp. And, this quality control has made all the difference and kept their forte high in this competitive processed food market. For some, this serves as accompaniment of muri (puffed rice) and tea, for the more colorful ones, with the dosage of whiskey or old monk. But, this shop remains there for its one single item.

And, if you’re still looking for something more filling to go with your booze of tea, in that matter, Apanjan, adananda Road is just a stone throw away (details can be found here). So, halla bol and  you may raise a cheers to that bhodrolok as he scratches his belly after the first sip and the first gulp and exclaims that “Ahhhh ….. ”

Bon apetit !!!

Comments and critics welcome.

I can be reached at 9903528225/ indrajit.lahiri@ymail.com

 

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Share on Skype (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)

Related

#BloggerBombayMixChanachurfoodFoodBloggerIconicFoodJointmohamushkilReviewsnacksSnacksInSouthKolkataTeaTimeSnacksUjjalaChanachurYumYummy
3 comments
0
Facebook Twitter Google + Pinterest
Indrajit Lahiri

previous post
15 years of ITC Sonar- the West View Chapter
next post
Corporate Cook Off at Holiday Inn Kolkata

You may also like

Mohamushkil at New Paul Dhaba, Manicktola

June 6, 2017

Nosh Cafe- THE cafe for automobile fanatics

April 9, 2016

Cake mixing আর আমার শহর

December 18, 2016

Foodwalk at the khao gully at esplanade

February 2, 2018

Tea Treasureas- tea tasting is a damn serious...

August 20, 2015

Chitto da’s Suruchee restaurant and Dacre’s Lane Kolkata

October 12, 2017

Eau Chew- Ganesh chandra Avenue

November 29, 2014

Barcelos, Kasba…the portuguese experience or something like it

May 24, 2016

One simple joke and Jolbhora Sandesh

February 23, 2018

Kung-Pao and its Double fried chilly chicken

October 28, 2016

3 comments

Mainak Mukherjee August 17, 2017 - 8:03 pm

I personally know him because Kalighat sanghasree is my 2nd para.The shop used to be run by Ramesh Prasad (we used to call him Ramesh da ).He has expired and now Mahesh da is the current person who manages it , he is tall fair and heavily built. No doubt to most south calcuttans chana chur means ujjala, it’s expensive but they have retained same quality over the years

Reply
Indrajit Lahiri August 17, 2017 - 8:42 pm

Agree chief. Thnx for sharing

Reply
maverickbird August 22, 2017 - 12:36 pm

Love this post. I love Ujjala chanachur too. Always carry packs of it back to Germany with me.

Reply

How did you like this post ? Cancel reply

About Me

About Me

I, Indrajit Lahiri, am an entrepreneur by profession. After heading the Education BU of one of the largest OEMs globally, in 2012, I felt like starting something on my own and thus formed Pickle Solutions Pvt Ltd (http://picklesolutions.in/ ), which in turn became one of the leading IT roll-out firms, mostly working in the North-East part of India.

Keep in touch

Facebook Twitter Google + Instagram Pinterest Linkedin

Categories

Recent Posts

  • Deli- cake shop in The Gateway Hotel Kolkata

    April 18, 2018
  • Milee Droog Cafe and Bistro- Russian food in Kolkata

    April 17, 2018
  • Michel

    April 13, 2018

Subscribe

Subscribe my Newsletter for new blog posts, tips & new photos. Let's stay updated!

indrajit.lahiri@ymail.com

Beliaghata, Kolkata
+91 9903528225

My Facebook Page

Facebook

Find me on Zomato

View my food journey on Zomato!

Blogadda

Visit blogadda.com to discover Indian blogs

LET’S CONNECT ON GOOGLE+

I am on IndiBlogger as well

Follow me on Instagram

  • This is the rice bowl with chilly beef  It
  • It was a great birthday for me  thanks life
  • So much work for a little soul  From making
  • During an evening like this seldom a good tandoori chicken
  • When you get to learn about facebook about facebookforcreators Platform
  • The poilaboisakh menu spread at novotelkolkata  Available till 15th
  • food is something which invokes stories  in all spheres
  • Frankly Im not a brunch lover  But when the
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google +
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin
  • Flickr

Copyright © 2018 moha-mushkil. Powered by q2success.com | All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy


Back To Top
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.