Kolkata's Ilish Utsav
For Bengalis, the monsoon is synonymous with Ilish, or Hilsa fish. The rainy season is when this prized fish, rich in oils and flavour, is at its absolute best. All across Kolkata and West Bengal, restaurants and festival organisers roll out the 'Ilish
Utsav' (Hilsa Festival). Restaurants like 6 Ballygunge Place and The Westin Kolkata Rajarhat often feature month-long celebrations with menus dedicated to this delicacy. Patrons can indulge in everything from 'Ilish Paturi' (Hilsa steamed in banana leaf with mustard paste) to 'Ilish Bhapa' (steamed with yogurt and spices) and even Ilish Biryani. Some tour operators also host multi-day festivals in the Sundarbans, combining the culinary experience with a trip through the mangrove forests.
Rajasthan's Teej Festival and Ghevar
The festival of Teej, celebrated with much fanfare in Rajasthan and other parts of North India, marks the arrival of the monsoon. While it involves many rituals, the season is incomplete without Ghevar, a disc-shaped sweet that looks like a honeycomb. Made from flour and ghee and soaked in sugar syrup, this dessert's unique spongy texture is said to require the high humidity of the monsoon to be perfected. Sweet shops are laden with different varieties, from plain Ghevar to those topped with rabri (condensed milk), malai (cream), or mawa (milk solids). According to Ayurvedic tradition, this ghee-laden sweet is also believed to provide relief from the acidity and restlessness associated with the climate.
Kerala's Karkidaka Kanji
In Kerala, the monsoon month of Karkidakam (typically July-August) is traditionally a time for rejuvenation and building immunity. This period has its own unique culinary practices focused on health and wellness, chief among them being the Karkidaka Kanji. This is a medicinal rice porridge made with a special variety of rice, coconut milk, and a mix of potent Ayurvedic herbs. The idea is to consume foods that are easy to digest and help the body cope with the dampness of the season. Many wellness centres and homes in Kerala observe this practice, and food festivals celebrating these traditional health foods are also organised to raise awareness. Another monsoon highlight is the 'Pathila Thoran', a stir-fry made with ten different types of foraged wild greens.
Goa's Wild Mushroom Mania
When the rains hit Goa, a special foraged delicacy appears on termite mounds: the 'Olmi' or 'Alambi' mushroom. This wild variety cannot be cultivated and is only available for a short window during the monsoon, making it a prized seasonal ingredient. Local restaurants and Goan homes celebrate this fungus with various preparations. A famous Goud Saraswat Brahmin dish is 'Alambi Randai', a coconut-based curry with tamarind and red chillies. You can also find simple preparations like an 'Olmi Chilli Fry' or the mushrooms coated in semolina and pan-fried, serving as a vegetarian substitute for fish during the season.
Monsoon Menus in Mumbai
Mumbai's restaurant scene fully embraces the romance of the rains, with many establishments launching special monsoon menus. These often focus on comfort and nostalgia. For instance, ITC Grand Central offers 'Monsoon Tea Tales' with classics like masala chai, onion fritters, and bun maska. At places like Kikli, Chef Amninder Sandhu has curated menus celebrating Punjabi comfort foods like lassi-soaked chicken pakoras. Others, like Yazu, host special supper clubs, while cafes such as Bluebop and Silver Beach Cafe roll out menus featuring warming soups, hot pots, and indulgent desserts designed to be enjoyed while watching the downpour.
Delhi's Rainy Day Chaat and Grills
As the monsoon arrives in Delhi, cravings for street food classics soar. Restaurants cleverly tap into this by launching dedicated menus. INDY by Qla, for instance, has offered a menu reimagining street food with dishes like Raw Banana Tuk Chaat and Banarasi Burrata Tamatar Chaat. At The Claridges Garden, a 'Monsoon Fest' brings favourites like samosas, pav bhaji, and Maggi to an elegant alfresco setting under canopies. Establishments like Chor Bizarre focus on chaat and grills, featuring everything from Purani Dilli Ki Papri Chaat to Nadroo Ki Tikki (lotus stem patties), best paired with a hot cup of chai or Kashmiri kahwa.
Bengaluru's Street Food Journeys
Bengaluru's hotels and restaurants also join the monsoon celebrations. The Novotel Bengaluru Outer Ring Road has previously hosted a festival titled 'Monsoon Express – A Street Food Journey Across India'. This event brings together iconic regional delicacies from across the country, serving everything from vada pav and roasted corn (bhutta) to galouti kebabs and various samosas, allowing diners to experience the diversity of Indian street food under one roof. Other restaurants, like Monkey Bar, have launched limited-time 'Burger Fests' during the monsoon, offering hearty and indulgent options perfect for a rainy day.
