Bachan’s Dhaba (more than 7,000 Google reviews) at very busy Rashbehari Avenue (Kalighat, South Kolkata) was established by Bachan Singh in the year 1927 and is nowhere related to Indian Actor Amitabh Bachchan.

Timings: 12 Noon till 12 Night.

Nearest Metro Station: Kalighat

Bachan’s Dhaba – a multi-cuisine Dhaba having air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned sitting arrangements, is a landmark of Kalighat with sumptuous food and a decent happening ambiance.

The items are available in half plates as well as full, which is a good option.

I had a great lip-smacking, delicious food experience at this budget dhaba.

Fantastic place for any kind of veg./non-veg. meal. Always crowded. Perhaps, the most crowded dhaba in this area. Visited this Dhaba thrice.

Staff and the owner at the counter were behaved with superb professional services.

In short, A decades-old restaurant with a variety of menu items. Too yummy and a non-pinching on the pocket too.

Check the menu items with prices as below:

Recommended at least once for sure. One of the most economical family Dhabas I visited in South Kolkata.

Doodh Cola and Lassi – our reason to visit (twice) Balwant Singh’s Eating House (almost 100 years old and having more than 23,000 Google reviews) in the evening hours, situated just beside Gurdwara Sant Kutiya at Bhowanipore, Kolkata.

A very prime location. Lots of rush, including parked vehicles outside the restaurant. Almost like a party. The vibe is good.

What is Doodh Cola? – The million-dollar question.

Dudh Cola is a mixture of milk, Coke, and lots of ice.

Unbelievable blending and the price – Rs.150 a liter.

How was Doodh Cola in taste?

It’s okay for a single try to know what Doodh Cola is. It’s a must-try item they are known for. Blissful, Refreshing – in short.

After the refreshing drink, we met Manish Singh, the current owner of Balwant Singh’s Eating House.

Upon query, this is what he narrated:

Balwant Singh was my grandfather. He was originally from Ropar (Punjab).

Our ancestors were connected with India’s freedom movement. During those days, this place was a meeting place (adda) of the Gadar Party. Here only they used to sit and talk and make plans. And they prepare food also.

Later, this place was commercialized, and in the year 1926, it was converted into a restaurant.

Timings: 5 am till 11 pm (due to Covid restrictions, otherwise, 24 hours open / 7 days in a week – USP).

Our famous is tea which we prepare on steam if not flames. There is a different method of making.

If you stand for 5 minutes, I will tell you how this special, famous tea is made.

First, we put dust tea into a cloth and pour very little hot water to prepare the liquor. Then we add pure milk and sugar and start blending. Then we place the mixture inside a container having boiling water. We boil the mixture for 3-4 minutes and then serve it to the customers.

It is very light in drinking. Nice foamy and never develops acidity.

It is prepared as per the customer’s request, such as without sugar, less/more sugar, strong, light, etc.

This steam tea was developed by our ancestors only and continues to date.

And the cost of the tea is – Rs. 20 & Rs. 30. If you want saffron, then double the price.

Please note: The tea is served to customers in an earthen clay pot, which makes it even tastier.

Other than tea, we make Doodh Cola also – again, started by our ancestors.

And we also have pure authentic North-Indian vegetarian cuisines such as varieties of Naan, Kulcha, Paratha, Roti, Pulao, Fried Rice, Biryani, Kachori, Nimki, Samosa, Pakoda, Chhole Bhatture, Sandwich, Imriti, Jalebi, Gulab Jamun, Kalakand, Gajar ka Halwa, Kulfi, Doodh Cola, Lassi, Thandai, Chai, Kesar Milk, Milk Shake, Chaat, Maggi, Soup, Momos, Manchurian, Noodles, etc., etc. and Weekend Special such as Mushroom Spinach Tikka, Paneer Haryali Tikka, Paneer Achari Tikka

Nearest Metro Station: Rabindra Sadan (5 minutes walking distance)

This restaurant is visited by many celebrities such as K. L. Saigal, Prithviraj Kapoor, Kapil Dev, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Suresh Raina, Anil Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor, and many singers as well.

Actually, this road goes straight to the Kalighat Kali temple, thus visitors stop here.

And what about foreigners visiting? – I question.

Yes, foreigners also visit, especially the Japanese, who do research on tea. They watch the method of making steam tea and film it as well.

Fantastic description. Thank you very much, Manish – said I. Thank you for the Punjabi hospitality.

I would love to take another visit because I haven’t tasted steamed Kesar (saffron) Chai (tea) yet – said I.

In short, an Iconic restaurant/Dhaba. Serving for almost a century. Don’t miss it when you visit Kolkata.

More than 100 years old Phuchka stall at Vivekananda Park, started by Dilip Da’s grandfather – originally from Bhagalpur, Bihar.

Nearest Metro Station: Kalighat

Timings: 4 pm – 10 pm (7 days open).

Celebrity Customers: Ranbir Kapoor, Aditya Bal, Bipasha Basu, Konkana Sen Sharma, and many more…

Daily sale – approx. 1,000 Phuchkas per day to 100 people.

Also, prepare Phuchkas with Mineral water.

The Cost: Dilip Da’s Phuchkas are a little expensive than other Phuchka walas. After all, he’s a celebrity too.

In short: Dilip Da’s innovative, crunchy Phuchkas are one of the best in South Kolkata.

The variety is enormous and each Phuchkas has its own unique taste. You will crave to eat more, more and more.

Spicy… Sour… Sweet… Heaven for Phuchka lovers.

And the best is: Dilip Da is a very polite, lovely talkative middle-aged person.

Definitely recommend Dilip Da’s Maharaja Chat Centre at least once for sure.