The Kolkata Fish Fry ( Calcutta 

Bhetki/ Barramundi Fry) was invented during the British Era in India.

That was the period of an amalgamation of English cuisine with Indian. Using local and fresh produce,
Indian cooks started to mixing, twisting and seasoning the western recipes according to their
understanding and experience to prepare delicacies for the British officers to replicate English dishes.
They successfully did this and dishes were hugely popular among the British. Kolkata Bhetki Fish Fry
hugely popular along with Chop, Kobiraji and others. Lately, cafes played a significant role to make such
delicacies popular among the mass. Heritage old cafes/eatery like Mitra Café, Indian Coffee House,
Dilkusha Cabin, Nizam’s are the name of few in Kolkata still serve these snacks on their menu.

Crispy, crumb coated Fish Fry is traditionally made with sweet water fish Barramundi, locally known
as Bhetki. Fleshy, fewer bones and distinct taste has made this fish a common choice for Fish Fry. A salad
is usually served as a side to Fish Fry which would consist of julienned cucumber, beetroots, and thin

slices of onions with a dash of lemon and of course Bengal’s favourite Mustard sauce Kasundi. 

When British rule in India inherited Calcutta (Kolkata) as the capital of the country, the fish fry acquired
a reputation for its delicious taste. Indian products and ingredients were not enough to produce the
same Western flavor, so the cooks began mixing, twisting, and seasoning Western recipes. British
officers who worked on preparing delicacies for them were instructed to imitate European and British
dishes popular with the British.

The snack was born in this way and was served as a snack in many places in India, such as Kolkata, Delhi,
Hyderabad, Bengaluru, to name a few. Recently, cafes have played an important role in popularizing
such delicacies among the masses. Especially coffee house fish fry is very popular in college street in
Kolkata.