Bengali cuisine originates from Bengal, a region in Eastern South Asia that currently divides Bangladesh and West Bengal. The Barak Valley region of Assam and Tripura also have native Bengali populations and share this culinary style. 

Bengali foods are best known for their subtle yet sometimes fiery flavours and vast spread of confectioneries and desserts. Natives heavily focus on serving fish, vegetables, and lentils with rice as a staple diet. 

It's also the only traditionally developed multi-course tradition in South Asia that follows French cuisine's modern Service à la russe style, with people serving food by course rather than all at once. 

The first courses comprise shukto, a bitter vegetable medley, shaak or green leafy vegetables, bhaja or fried vegetable fritters, aloo posto, dry preparation of poppy seeds and potatoes, and dal and rice. The mild fish curry or thick meat preparation, sweet chutney, and sweetmeats soon follow suit. 

Here are five mouthwatering recipes you must try if you want to host a healthy Bengali lunch. This article will also briefly discuss some nearby cooking styles. 

1. Machcher Jhol 

Machcher Jhol is one of the famous dishes and a crucial part of Bengali cuisine. It is a spicy and healthy fish stew prepared using minimal spices, fish, and vegetables like potato and aubergine. 

Children and adults in the entire family enjoy this spicy and delectable dish, yet it's not too hot, giving you the perfect blend for your healthy Bengali lunch. 

We recommend enjoying this ultimate Bengali comfort meal with some hot steaming rice! 

2. Chana Dal 

Indians eat lentils almost daily in different forms. Chana dal is a healthy, hearty, and satisfying meal you'll always enjoy. This naturally vegan and gluten-free dish will eventually become a family favourite! 

Chana dal is skinned and split whole brown chickpeas.You can create the special dal made with cholar dal or pale-yellow Bengal gram and temper it with the choicest masalas. This vegan protein-packed dish goes best with luchi, maida puri, or piping hot rice. 

We suggest making the tadka in ghee to achieve its distinct aroma. 

3. Bhapa Chingri 

Bhapa Chingri is a traditional Bengali dish with marinated prawns in spicy coconut, chilli, and mustard sauce. Baked to perfection, you can serve this Bengali prawn dish to guests at home. 

'Bhapa' is Bengali for steamed, and chingri means prawns or shrimps. While there are different ways to prepare prawns in Bengal, you wouldn't want to miss this preparation with smoky-flavoured prawns. 

We recommend serving this dish with a cup of steaming hot rice or chapati. 

4. Kosha Mangsho 

Kosha Mangsho is thick and juicy mutton pieces cooked in a curry of hot spices. It's a famous Bengali mutton curry best known for its rich taste and spiciness. This mutton dish is heaven for spicy food lovers!

5. Dhokar Dalna 

And to cap off our list of mouthwatering Bengali recipes, we have a delectable dish of Dhokar dalna. This delicious Bengali treat has fried chana dal cakes marinated with potato cubes in a thick sauce of cumin seeds, hing, and bay leaf with ginger and red chilli paste.

We recommend serving this dish with a cup of steamed rice. 

Cooking Styles 

Bangladesh developed an independent cuisine because of the complex geography of the Ganges delta. And the rest of India and Southeast did not influence the country. Some unique characteristics include using fresh-water fish, beef, parboiled rice, and cooking spicier foods. 

Floods commonly occur in the region, so locals extensively use root crops and dried fish. While the neighbouring parts of India widely use milk and dairy products, we don't usually use dairy products because of the complex geography preventing large-scale dairy farming. However, some foods need curd, yoghurt, or ghee.

Whipping Up a Flavourful Lunch

Bengali foods are best known for their subtle but sometimes spicy flavours. They may also offer different confectioneries and desserts after a mouthwatering meal. These five recipes can ensure satisfied and healthy guests! 

Tower Tandoori is one of the best Indian restaurants in London. We pride ourselves on cooking authentic Indian delicacies to satisfy your tastebuds. Have a hearty meal with us today!