21/02/2023
Thammur narrated to Tinu the curious story-The Born of Indo-Chinese cuisine in Tangra, Calcutta:
In the late 18th century, one broke businessman Mr. Tom Atchew landed in, known as Acchipur today. Once Governor-general Mr. Warren Hastings granted them land for setting up a sugar factory, the first Chinese settlement in India was born.
Before this settlement had settled, there was hardly any documented usage of refined sugar in Bengal sweets.
However, the history of Bengali sweets deserves a separate mention and will be dealt with later.
When Atchew wanted land for setting up a sugar factory, he was given approval by the British. The British felt that any shift in the market which would stop the monopoly of the West Indies would significantly help in boosting the profits of East India Company in the sub-continent.
This is how Chinese Sugar got introduced into Indian Tea. Because of its origin in China, Locals named it “Chini”.
However, It seems Mr. Atchew couldn’t run his factory well and it got closed down. Naturally, the workers moved towards the nearest big city- Calcutta. They settled in the current Tiretta Bazaar area, the oldest Chinese ghetto in Kolkata. One of the primary businesses there was a tannery. Now, tanneries amid the city were probably becoming an eyesore of the British government, and the same was shifted beside the eastern wetland. And, thus the new-age or came into existence.
They learned their native language and used their skills in carpentry, leather, dentistry, etc., and started thriving in their new homeland. Slowly none remained in Atchepore rather now we can call it Achipur but the generation of Chinese who remained back in the city never forgot their place of origin and still visit Achipur and its temple during Chinese New Year. And, it’d be interesting to know that though the oldest documented Chinese restaurant was “Nanking”, the oldest operating Chinese (or rather Indo-Chinese) restaurant today is Eau Chew in Ganesh Chandra Avenue, running for the last 90+ years.
So, this weekend (25th & 26th Feb 2023) Thammu thought to bring back the Indianised Chinese or Indo-Chinese meal of Kolkata
Indianised Chinese Meal contains:
Chicken Soup
Chicken Momo
Bengali Veg Fried Rice
Calcutta Chilli Chicken
Meal Price: Rs 250/-
Free Delivery Upto 10KM from Thammur Chula
Prebooking started today.
Call Us at +91 63025 37522 for Prebooking
Limited meals are available. So Hurry Up!
— in Kondapur.
