If there is one cuisine the Calcuttan has adopted with all his/her heart, mind and tongue, it is Chinese food. Chinese food is comfort food to us, second only to bong cuisine.
Ohh yes... we love our chilli chicken-fried rice combo, and stir-fried mixed shanghai noodles with fish manchurian, or crispy chilli pork with pan-fried noodles. Or a plate of steaming chicken wantons. Or golden fried prawns. Or crispy konjee lamb. You get the idea?
So for all those of you who would like to have a lip-smacking, tummy-filling Chinese meal, without burning a hole in your pocket, I have the perfect option in Kolkata - #Chowman.
Started by Bangla band "Lakkichhara" musician Debaditya Chowdhury, Chowman now boasts of six outlets in the city, namely Ballygunje Place, Behala, Garia, Golf Green, Salt Lake and Sinthi.
I will review the Salt Lake outlet here.
Ambience : 9/10
What marks this place is its cozy ambience, done up in quaint Chinese style, complete with a beatific Buddha smiling down at us from the walls of the restaurant. The walls are embellished with Chinese silk paintings, and murals. A laughing Buddha sits pretty right near the entrance. The seating is cozy and intimate. Light instrumental strains of Chinese folk music fill the place. The overall atmosphere is calm, soothing and pleasing to all the senses.
Food : 9.5/10
The USP of this place is the food. It's total value for money. There are fish, prawn, crab, lamb, pork, duck and lobster items to choose from on the menu. I usually stick to chicken, fish and prawn dishes, having found lamb and duck not so appealing to my taste buds.
The starters menu literally spoils you by the options it offers. Wantons, dimsums, sui mai, spring rolls, crispy fried chicken, pepper garlic prawn, konjee crispy lamb, roasted chilli pork, and a variety of soups.
Pic courtesy: chowman.net
Meifoon or rice noodles (shrimp or mixed) is a personal favourite, which can be relished with either Hunan Chicken or Prawn in Hot Garlic Sauce on the side.
The slightly hot Schezwan Hakka Noodles can be paired with the lightly spiced Lemon Chicken on the side. If you like seafood, then order the Fish or Prawn in Oyster Sauce. The pan-fried noodles (gravy noodles) come in either white or black sauce full of veggies and meat chunks, and has quantity enough for an adult and a child.
You can also order their signature Kung Pao Chicken or Fish and relish it with Basil Fried Rice.
I have not tasted their pork or crab or lobster items, but have heard only good things about these.
Value For Money : 10/10
Each gravy dish has about 12 pieces, which makes it sufficient for a group of three. A plate of noodles can be easily shared between two adults, if your appetite is not that great. The gravy or pan-fried noodles can be had as a stand-alone dish, or with a crispy starter.
<a href="https://www.zomato.com/kolkata/chowman-sector-1-salt-lake" title="View Menu, Reviews, Photos & Information about Chowman, Sector 1, Salt Lake and other Restaurants in Kolkata" target="_blank"><img alt="Chowman Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato" src="https://www.zomato.com/logo/23933/minilink" style="border:none;width:130px;height:36px;padding:0px;" /></a>
Ohh yes... we love our chilli chicken-fried rice combo, and stir-fried mixed shanghai noodles with fish manchurian, or crispy chilli pork with pan-fried noodles. Or a plate of steaming chicken wantons. Or golden fried prawns. Or crispy konjee lamb. You get the idea?
So for all those of you who would like to have a lip-smacking, tummy-filling Chinese meal, without burning a hole in your pocket, I have the perfect option in Kolkata - #Chowman.
Started by Bangla band "Lakkichhara" musician Debaditya Chowdhury, Chowman now boasts of six outlets in the city, namely Ballygunje Place, Behala, Garia, Golf Green, Salt Lake and Sinthi.
I will review the Salt Lake outlet here.
Ambience : 9/10
What marks this place is its cozy ambience, done up in quaint Chinese style, complete with a beatific Buddha smiling down at us from the walls of the restaurant. The walls are embellished with Chinese silk paintings, and murals. A laughing Buddha sits pretty right near the entrance. The seating is cozy and intimate. Light instrumental strains of Chinese folk music fill the place. The overall atmosphere is calm, soothing and pleasing to all the senses.
Pic courtesy: dineout.com
Food : 9.5/10
The USP of this place is the food. It's total value for money. There are fish, prawn, crab, lamb, pork, duck and lobster items to choose from on the menu. I usually stick to chicken, fish and prawn dishes, having found lamb and duck not so appealing to my taste buds.
The starters menu literally spoils you by the options it offers. Wantons, dimsums, sui mai, spring rolls, crispy fried chicken, pepper garlic prawn, konjee crispy lamb, roasted chilli pork, and a variety of soups. Pic courtesy: chowman.net
Meifoon or rice noodles (shrimp or mixed) is a personal favourite, which can be relished with either Hunan Chicken or Prawn in Hot Garlic Sauce on the side.
The slightly hot Schezwan Hakka Noodles can be paired with the lightly spiced Lemon Chicken on the side. If you like seafood, then order the Fish or Prawn in Oyster Sauce. The pan-fried noodles (gravy noodles) come in either white or black sauce full of veggies and meat chunks, and has quantity enough for an adult and a child.
You can also order their signature Kung Pao Chicken or Fish and relish it with Basil Fried Rice.
I have not tasted their pork or crab or lobster items, but have heard only good things about these.
Value For Money : 10/10
Each gravy dish has about 12 pieces, which makes it sufficient for a group of three. A plate of noodles can be easily shared between two adults, if your appetite is not that great. The gravy or pan-fried noodles can be had as a stand-alone dish, or with a crispy starter.
A group of four can dine or lunch to their heart's content within INR 2000 (two plates non-vegetarian starters, two to three main dishes, with two/three noodles or rice, excluding dessert).
The restaurant has smartly catered to the niche segment of the Chinese food-loving middle-class Calcuttan, who also has an eye on the pocket.
Service : 9.5/10
You hardly have given the order 10/15 minutes back, when it arrives fresh and hot on the table. The staff is extremely courteous and will serve you your order on your instructions. The manager makes it a point to ask you if you are enjoying your meal and if everything is all right.
You can give your feedback on the prescribed form at the end of your experience.
You hardly have given the order 10/15 minutes back, when it arrives fresh and hot on the table. The staff is extremely courteous and will serve you your order on your instructions. The manager makes it a point to ask you if you are enjoying your meal and if everything is all right.
You can give your feedback on the prescribed form at the end of your experience.
Health Quotient : 9/10
Food from Chowman is lightly spiced, less oily, and healthier than Tangra-type Chinese food. You are more or less assured of the quality and freshness of ingredients served.
My family and I never had any post-prandial bloating or indigestion after eating here.
Recommended : I will totally recommend Chowman to the Chinese foodie. If you are visiting Kolkata, and are short of time, a visit to this eatery is a must to taste authentic Chinese food.
However, try to avoid weekends and holidays because of the heavy rush. Be prepared for a long wait to get a table on weekend evenings. Weekday afternoons are best for savouring the ambience and food in peace.
<a href="https://www.zomato.com/kolkata/chowman-sector-1-salt-lake" title="View Menu, Reviews, Photos & Information about Chowman, Sector 1, Salt Lake and other Restaurants in Kolkata" target="_blank"><img alt="Chowman Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato" src="https://www.zomato.com/logo/23933/minilink" style="border:none;width:130px;height:36px;padding:0px;" /></a>
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