Kolkata Telebhaja Waala Coaster

Kolkata’s tele bhaja (deep-fried snacks) originated as an essential, affordable evening snack, deeply rooted in the city’s adda culture and freedom struggle. Lakshmi Narayan Shaw & Sons, established in 1918 by Khendu Shaw, was a favorite spot for Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. It served as a covert hub for freedom fighters to gather and communicate. Traditionally, these fritters including beguni (brinjal), aloo chop (potato), peyaji (onion), and fuluri—are served with muri (puffed rice), green chilies, and kasundi (mustard paste). While many shops have remained in the same, often small, locations for over 50–100 years, the popularity of tele bhaja has expanded from a local evening snack to an iconic, indispensable part of Kolkata’s culinary identity.