Hilsa food festival organized in Kolkata restaurant

Kolkata, July 21 (ANI): Bengali-cuisine restaurant called Oh! Calcutta has organized a month-long 'Hilsa Bhoj' or Hilsa food festival beginning on Thursday, which will feature wide variety of delicacies made of Hilsa fish.

The festival is attracting a huge crowd, as this fish is a favourite among all the Bengalis.

"It's queen of fish, and Bengali always prefer ilish (local name for Hilsa) fish, whether costly or less costly. As far as the taste is concerned, a Bengali would never compromise on the money; they prefer the taste and the fish," said Debashish Ghosh, Regional Manager of the Specialty Group of Restaurants.

Many Hilsa-lovers feel the fish is also integral to the culture of West Bengal.

"Bengalis love Hilsa fish. Lot of people from different regions and different personalities come here especially to this restaurant. Different caste and different community enjoys Calcutta ilish and they know Bengalis because of ilish. So, we can say that ilish is trademark of Bengalis and Bengali culture," said Kausavi Burman, a Hilsa-lover.

A wide variety of Hilsa delicacies are on offer at the festival that include steamed Hilsa, Hilsa cooked in poppy seeds, Hilsa cooked with mangoes, a creamy dish called 'Ilish Malai', Hilsa cooked with tamarind, and similar.

The 'Hilsa Bhoj' festival would continue for 15 days. By Ajitha Menon (ANI)