Kolkata’s Kathi Roll Makes the World Top 10
Street‑food fans have a reason to cheer: the Kathi Roll from Kolkata has secured 6th place in the latest global ranking of wraps by the food & travel guide TasteAtlas.
Curly Tales
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Telegraph India
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Here’s what we know.
What the ranking says
TasteAtlas released a list of the “best wraps in the world” (38 wraps in total). On that list:
The #1 wrap: Gyros (Greece)
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#2: Sangchu Ssam (South Korea)
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#3: Tantuni (Türkiye)
The Times of India
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#4: Enchiladas Suizas (Mexico)
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#5: Carne Asada Burrito (USA)
The Times of India
#6: Kathi Roll (India / Kolkata) — “roasted kebab meat wrapped in paratha, offering the perfect blend of spice, flavour and convenience.”
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Why this is special for India & Kolkata
It’s a recognition of Indian street‑food culture on an international food map.
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The Kathi Roll is rooted deeply in Kolkata’s food heritage: the dish is believed to have originated at Nizam’s Restaurant in Kolkata in the 1930s (or 1960s in some accounts) when kebabs were wrapped in paratha (flatbread) so British officers wouldn’t have to eat with their hands.
The Times of India
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India Blooms
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It emphasises portability, flavour, and street‑food authenticity — qualities that transcend borders.
What is a “Kathi Roll”?
Here are the key features:
Flatbread / paratha: Usually a flaky paratha (sometimes with egg) into which filling is wrapped.
Skewered kebab meat: Chicken, mutton (or vegetarian/egg versions) cooked on skewers (“kathi” means “stick” in Bengali) over charcoal or tawa.
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Onions, chutney, spices: Usually onions, sometimes green chutney, lemon juice, spices — all rolled together for flavour and texture.
Portable format: Wrapped in paper, made for on‑the‑go eating — street‑friendly, efficient.
Why it stands out among wraps
It mixes Indian spice profiles with a handheld format, combining comfort and portability.
It has authenticity: It originated in real street‑food context, not just a trendy “fusion” item.
Versatility: From classic chicken or mutton rolls to vegetarian and egg variants, it adapts to tastes and situations — yet keeps its identity.
Implications & what it tells us
Cultural pride: For Kolkata and India, this ranking is a badge of culinary recognition on the global scene.
Street food matters: It’s not only fine‑dining or haute cuisine; beloved street eats can reach global acclaim.
Tourist draw: For visitors to Kolkata, this highlights one must‑try dish.
Evolution of the dish: With added fillings, fusion variations and global diffusion, the Kathi Roll shows how traditional foods can evolve and still remain relevant.
A few things to consider
Rankings like these are subjective: panels, votes, criteria vary. But they spark interest.
The version you get elsewhere may differ from the “original” Kolkata style—freshness, filling, bread quality all matter.
Such recognition isn’t a licence to become complacent; street‑food standards (hygiene, taste consistency) remain important.
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