Territi Bazaar

Overview

Territi Bazaar (Tiretta Bazar) is Kolkata's legendary early-morning Chinese street-food market in the old Chinatown. Vendors set up between 5 and 8 AM, serving dim sum, soup noodles, and other Hakka Chinese dishes.

Highlights

• Pre-dawn buzz: Best experienced before 7 AM when the stalls are busiest.
• Hakka dim sum: Hand-made momos, sui mai, and prawn rolls cooked in bamboo steamers.
• Community heritage: The last visible trace of Kolkata's once-thriving Chinese community.

History

Kolkata's Chinatown dates to the late 18th century when Hakka Chinese craftsmen settled in the area. Tiretta Bazar is named after Edward Tiretta, an Italian adventurer who was given a market grant by the East India Company.

Visitor Tips

• Tip 1: Arrive by 6 AM; many popular items sell out within an hour.
• Tip 2: Cash only — most vendors do not accept digital payments.
• Duration: 45–60 minutes.