Recipe

Kolkata Street Style Ghugni

Authentic Kolkata ghugni with white peas, potatoes, mustard oil, garlic, tamarind, and roasted cumin.

Kolkata-style ghugni made with white peas and potatoes.

Recipe information

Prep time
720 min
Cook time
35 min
Total time
755 min
Servings
4–5
Difficulty
medium

About this recipe

Kolkata Street Style Ghugni is a deeply comforting snack where white peas, mustard oil, garlic, tamarind, and roasted cumin come together in every spoonful.

Ingredients

  • 300 g Dried white peas
  • 2 Potatoes — Peeled and cubed
  • 3 tbsp Mustard oil
  • 12–15 cloves Garlic
  • 2 Onions
  • 1 Tomato
  • 2–3 Green chillies
  • 1 tbsp Ginger paste
  • 1 tsp Turmeric powder
  • 1 tsp Red chilli powder
  • 1–2 tbsp Tamarind pulp
  • 1.5 tsp Roasted cumin powder

Equipment

  • Pressure cooker
  • Kadai

Cooking method

  1. Soak and prepare

    Soak the white peas for 10 to 12 hours, then drain them and cube the potatoes.

  2. Cook the peas

    Pressure cook the peas and potatoes with salt and enough water until tender, reserving some cooking liquid.

  3. Build the masala

    Heat mustard oil, fry the garlic until fragrant, then cook the green chillies, onions, tomato, and ginger paste until soft.

  4. Finish the ghugni

    Add the spices with a little cooking liquid, then stir in the peas and potatoes and simmer until thick and spoon-coating.

  5. Add the final flavours

    Adjust seasoning, then add tamarind pulp and roasted cumin powder before serving hot.

Pro tips

  • Fry the garlic only until fragrant to avoid bitterness.
  • Add tamarind and roasted cumin at the end for the freshest flavour.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use yellow peas instead?

Yes, although white peas are traditionally used for Kolkata-style ghugni.

Can I make ghugni ahead?

Yes. Its flavour develops further after resting for a few hours.

Watch the recipe

Video preview: Kolkata Street Style Ghugni Watch on YouTube

Kolkata Street Style Ghugni

More recipes to explore will appear here as the recipe recommendation system is introduced.