Phuchka-a Kolkata street food is a religion in the city where passionate debates erupt over its perfect flavour. And when Bollywood icon Deepika Padukone named her favorite place, it made the place a buzz. The Durga Pandit Phuchka Stall at historic Vivekananda Park has become a pilgrimage for locals and tourists alike.
Deepika, appearing on the Kapil Sharma Show, spoke of her love for this humble stall, taking the fame of this stall to unprecedented heights. Decades of legacy speak of Kolkata’s rich culinary traditions. Run by Shankar Pandit, his wife originally helmed the establishment, the late Durga Pandit, whose innovative take on phuchka set the stall apart. The first female member of Thakur Pandit’s family who ventured into business was Durga, the daughter of this great phuchka seller, established the iconic place before she lost her life tragically in 2014.
Located near Lake Kalibari, which is itself a hub of Durga Puja celebrations so vibrant, this stall offers a lot more than the classic phuchka alone. Its menu boasts creative twists like the Aloo Dum Phuchka: the signature here is a kind of fusion between two quintessentially Kolkata delights. The crowd just loves them and often go miles to reach out for that taste. Next comes the yogurt-filled Dahi Phuchka-a refreshing cooling variant of phuchka offering a cooling relief to its spicy brethren.
The stall has a reputation of quality and taste, carrying on a century-old tradition. But beyond the celebrity endorsement, Durga Pandit’s phuchkas are a testament to the evolving yet timeless street food culture of Kolkata. Every crispy, flavour-packed bite offers a glimpse into the rich heritage of the city and its undying love for phuchka.
For foodies and curious travellers, this small, unassuming stall near Vivekananda Park isn’t just a snack stop, but a piece of history on a plate served with a dollop of Bollywood glamour.
(Images courtesy: iStock)