Calcutta Street Seafood Pop-up

A few days before I left for the Netherlands, I received an email from Nuffnang asking if I could attend a pop-up food event in East London. I scrolled further down and “Calcutta Street” appeared on my phone screen. Indian food! Oh, glorious, glorious Indian food!

All these years living in the UK, I don’t think I’ve ever not craved Asian food — especially good Chinese, Malay or Indian. The smell and taste will always remind me of my darling Malaysia. “…mouth-watering seafood and fish dishes from Calcutta. These recipes are all extremely special because they come from my mother’s kitchen, and I have grown up on them…” A quick browse of the website, and those lines immediately captured my full attention. An East Indian lunch right here in London on a warm, sunny Saturday — I couldn’t help but let out a little yelp.

The person who cooked up a storm and fed the hungry crowd was Shrimoyee Chakraborty, or more fondly known as Shrim. Pretty and petite, you wouldn’t imagine her toiling away in the kitchen, taming crabs and keeping her nose to the grindstone to prepare such a delicious feast. But the beauty of it all is discovering the unexpected.

I was only there for about two hours, yet Shrim’s passion for cooking was palpable, if not contagious. To start, there was a choice between phuchka and egg rolls. Drinks included Cobra beer and an assortment of cocktails from Bonnie Gull, a seafood shack in Exmouth Market. The mains — kankrar jhal (curry crab) and macher paturi (steamed seabass wrapped in banana leaf) — completely stole the show. People dug in with their hands, glasses clinked, and praise flowed almost involuntarily. The ever-cordial host darted from table to table, making sure that everyone was not only well fed, but happily so.

I went for the mango martini, which came with a sprinkle of masala. It paired beautifully with the seafood, and my favourite was the crab. The dish was a harmonious medley of spices, and I couldn’t help but wish I had shamelessly licked the shell clean. There was also a vegetarian option for the main — a potato curry, smoked aubergine, and musurir dal.

I left Bonnie Gull feeling full, contented, and wishing Shrim would bring her pop-up to the west!

Do check out her website for details of the next pop-up. According to the sassy chef, dessert will be added to the next menu.

Now this is irresistible.

Have a great week ahead!

With love x