Indian Chinese food was invented in Kolkata, largely by Hakka families in the tannery district at Tangra. Chilli chicken, Manchurian, Hakka noodles and chimney soup came out of these kitchens and are now eaten across India and abroad.
Two Chinatowns formed: the older one at Territti Bazar in the centre, and the larger one at Tangra. The community has shrunk from over twenty thousand to a few thousand, which is a reason to eat there now.
East Kolkata
Salt Lake · Sector V · New Town · Rajarhat · Tangra| Name | Where | What it is known for |
|---|---|---|
| Beijing Restaurant1980s | Tangra | One of the best-known Tangra kitchens; chimney soup. |
| Kim Ling1980s | Tangra | A long-running family restaurant. |
| Golden Joy | Tangra | Hakka Chinese, large portions. |
| Kafulok | Tangra | One of the established houses. |
| Big Boss | Tangra | Tangra Chinese in the modern style. |
| Sin Fa | Tangra | Family-run, long-running. |
Central Kolkata
BBD Bagh · Esplanade · New Market · Park Street · College Street · Bowbazar · Burrabazar| Name | Where | What it is known for |
|---|---|---|
| Eau Chew1927 | Ganesh Chandra Avenue | Four generations of the Huang family; possibly the oldest Chinese family restaurant in India. Josephine noodles. |
| Chung Wah1930s | Chittaranjan Avenue | An old central Kolkata room. |
| Territti Bazar morning market | off Rabindra Sarani | Chinese breakfast on the street, 6am to 8am. |
| Tung Nam | Chatawala Gully | A small old Chinatown kitchen. |
South Kolkata
Bhowanipore · Kalighat · Gariahat · Ballygunge · Lake Market · Jadavpur · Tollygunge| Name | Where | What it is known for |
|---|---|---|
| Mainland China1994 | Gariahat and city-wide | Founded in Kolkata; the polished version. |
| Chinoiserie | Taj Bengal, Alipore | Hotel Chinese. |
Worth knowing
- Chimney soup is the Tangra speciality; few places elsewhere do it.
- Territti Bazar for breakfast means arriving before eight.
- Sunday morning at Territti Bazar is when the old community gathers.
- Chinese New Year, January or February, is the other time to go.
The other dishes
Read the city another way
A note on this page. Restaurants, shops and markets open, move and close far more often than industries do. Everything here is a snapshot of Kolkata as of 2026, offered as a starting point rather than a live listing. Check the address and the hours before you travel.
Company, mill, factory and shop names and trademarks belong to their respective owners. Inclusion is for independent discovery only, not endorsement or affiliation.