Ghoti gorom recipe, a popular street food of Bengal

Ghoti gorom is something that almost everybody in Bengal has tried. In case, somebody did not try this then atleast they know what it is. But it is an absolutely new thing for the people who live outside Bengal. Here Bengal means not only West Bengal but also neighbouring country Bangladesh too. Both of these two regions share almost same food culture, so ghoti gorom is also popular in Bangladesh too.

Ghoti gorom street food vendors

You can see ghoti gorom food vendors almost everywhere across this region. Mostly those street food vendors use to carry a cylindrical container with all its ingredients and walk around the area to sell this snack. If you have not seen this food or not even observed anybody who is selling this food then I think now you are little curious about this food.

It is actually a hot & sour snack. Farsan (sev), roasted peanuts, chopped onion, wild mango (hog plum)/ aamda/aamrataka, spices, green chillies, lemon juice are added to make this awesomely delicious snack. You can see ghoti gorom snack sellers in the market area, public place, parks, river ghat area, children park, near playground, schools or any other public places where always crowd is observed.

Childhood memories & this food

I love to have those during my childhood in the evening during summer when I use to spend time with friends at playground. I can still remember those days during summer vacation, a ghoti garom food seller used to walk through the ground to sell this wonderful snack. He used to sell that for Rs 2 or Rs 5, nowadays it is available for Rs 5 or Rs10 only. Is it not so cheap? Most of those food sellers usually coming from Bongaon or its nearby area. I do not know the exact reason of it but whenever I asked a ghoti garom seller he said that he is from Bongaon. I only found an ODD MAN OUT food seller who came from Basirhat, North 24 Parganas, WB, India. That too not far away from Bongaon, haha. But still, atleast he is not from Bongaon. Thought nowadays I rarely eat ghoti gorom but whenever I eat this wonderful snack I always become happy and start remembering my good school days memories.

Also check these: Vegetable momos, toasted bread sandwich, veg Maggi, Taler bora

Why is it called as “Ghoti Gorom”?

I do not know why it is called as ghoti gorom but so many people use to say that food seller keeps those sev (or farsan) in a hot (gorom in Bengali) big size special bowl with a narrow opening (ghoti in Bengali). Ghoti is a common utensil in Bengal. It can easily be found in any kitchen of a Bengali people. So that you can always have a warm snack. That is why it is called ghoti (a big size special Bengali style bowl) gorom (hot). I found this quite logical, so I accepted that.

How to make ghoti gorom at home?

Saute 1 cup ghoti gorom chanachur (A special mixed item with fine sev, roasted peanut, roasted corn flakes) on a hot pan (Heat a pan over gas burner for 2-3 minutes and then switch off fire)

Cut 1 medium size raw onion, 1 medium size aamda/aamra/aamrataka (wild mango), 2 green chillies into small pieces
Then add all ingredients in a large bowl and mix (also add lemon juice if you want)

Now spread 2 teaspoons of spices mixed powder (mixture of roasted cumin powder, roasted coriander powder, black salt & dry mango powder/aamchur) and combine it
Serve it warm

This street food is really yummy and every class of people love this awesome street food. As it comes at just Rs 5, so even a kid can afford this snack whenever he/she will want, haha. I can still remember when I was kid I used to buy this street food from a street food vendor. I still often see him to sell same snack even after passing 20 years. I can still remember I used to buy ghoti garom during summer when we often used to visit local play ground at evening to chat with a group of friends. We used to collect Rs2 from all friends to pay him. It is being more than decades but I can feel that it was like few days ago. That is why when I see that street food (ghoti gorom) vendor roaming my locality, I recall those happy days.

Places in Kolkata & Ghoti gorom

Ghoti gorom is also available at almost popular & crowded places in Kolkata like Princep Ghat, Dakshineswar temple, Babughat etc. I have tried it all those places, So if you are in city or planning to visit Kolkata in near future then do not forget to try this awesome street food named ghoti gorom. It is perfect combination of chanachur, chopped onion, chopped chillies, small amda pieces, roasted peanuts & spices. If you have tried this ghoti gorom very recently during your last Kolkata visit then do not forget to share your experience here.