It is no secret that we, Bengalis, love to eat but more often than not we see our brethren meticulously searching for eateries that serve Bangali food in the most non-Bengali of placesย such asย in the mountains of Himachal Pradesh.ย Far from Bengal and its redolent plains, we found by the Baspa a tiny establishment with a board that announced “เฆเฆ–เฆพเฆจเง‡ เฆฌเฆพเฆ™เฆพเฆฒเฆฟ เฆ–เฆพเฆฌเฆพเฆฐ เฆชเฆพเฆ“เฆฏเฆผเฆพ เฆฏเฆพเฆฏเฆผ |” A group of delighted Bengali tourists marched forth towards this miracle while their children, visibly depressed at the prospect of being fed moreย bhaat dal, tried hard to make their voices heard to their parents, who oblivious to the delicious local food they were missing, shut them with the ubiquitousย chup kor!ย To encourage fellow Bengalis to embrace the world of foreign foods, we have devised the complete guide to Goan food aka How to Navigate the Menu at a Goan Eatery. Enjoy a laugh and a glass of feniย while deciding your order!

A

Ambot-tik:ย For the one that loves onomatopoeia. Ambot-tik is how your tongue clicks against your palate when you put something tart in your mouth. Balance it with sweetness and let out a sigh before biting into a chunk of seafood.

B

Balchรฃo: Pickled shrimp relish that’s fiery and finger-licking delicious. Though it might sound like a goon from Uttar Pradesh, it is originally from Macao.

Bebinca:ย No other babe can compare to bebinca because this 7-layered masterpiece of flour, coconut cream, egg yolks, butter, and sugar is the pinnacle of foodie dreams. Local legends attribute its invention to Sister Bebiana who lived in the Nunnery of Santa Monica and made this dessert to use the discarded egg yolks after the whites had been used to bleach the inmates’ habits. The original bebinca had seven layers symbolising the seven hills of Lisbon and old Goa but now the numbers can be anything from 7-16.

Bhaji: The Bengali’s Goan-style evening fix in a batter-fried no-breadcrumb version.

Also read:ย Where to Eat in Panaji

Onion Fritters, Goan style
Onion Fritters, Goan style

C

Cafreal:ย Its green colour has been the subject of intense scrutiny. The original recipe travelled all the way from Mozambique and called for Piri-Piri peppers and a coal-fired grill but in Goa, the chicken is marinated in a blend of coriander, green chilli, ginger, garlic, and lime for at least four hours and lightly fried before it is brought to your plate.

Cabidela: When you cook rabbit or poultry in its own blood and add water and vinegar to the mix, you get a cabidelaย but its taken you so long your cab has left and you have missed the party.

Caldinho: This yellowish-green little soup is an elite dish because one coconut is required per plate. So be ready to chuck your wallet in the cauldron for a taste.

Chamuรงa: A cousin of the singhara that only a few know but all secretly crave to date.

Chouriรงo:ย Goa’s answer to frankfurters. These spicy, garlicky pork sausages differ from the Spanish chorizo because of the added vinegar and are smoked or sun-dried before being chopped and dropped in sizzling curries.

Also read:ย 3 Days in Panaji, Goa

WhatsApp Image 2017-09-19 at 9.57.41 PM
Chicken Cafreal at The Verandah

D

Dangar:ย Not related to the movie but cutlets with a crunchy shell. Often made of seafood.

F

Feijoada: ย Stewed carnival of black beans, pork, and beef inside a heavy clay pot. Was named forย feijรฃo, the Portuguese word for “beans.”

Feni:ย Clear or amber, downing a small vial is how you are inducted into all things Goa. Watch out for the fire in your throat (and of course, in your soul).

Fov: Countless iterations, all made with poha (chinre), all equally loved. A Diwali staple!

G

Gosalem thel Piyao:ย This pretty-sounding dish has ridge gourds with onions and hog plums. Bengalis will remember hog plums (aamra) from that stall outside school!

K

Kadi/Kadhi:ย Curry but pronounced with a touch of ethnic adulation.

Kalputi: More regal than yesterday’sย puti-maach, this dishย has mackerel, kingfish or pomfret. To cook: Take the fish head, scrape flesh from the fins and tails, and simmer in a vibrant sauce of onion, coconut, and kokum.

Khatkhate: Don’t let the noisy name discourage you from this aromatic and mild vegetarian stew. Triphal or Sichuan pepper is essential for hitting the perfect pitch.

Kismur: Salted and sun-dried shrimp, often mixed with grated coconut and spices. Pack some for your para’r kakimaa or your bideshi bandhobi.

Kokum:ย The plum that puckers your lips and readies you for a kiss. Also, it’s a royal shade of purple. Add it to your curries for tartness.

Koliwada: The wada you involuntarily make to return to the Konkan once you have tasted this spicy, deep-fried preparation.

M

Madgane: A payasam made with chana dal and jaggery.

Molho de Peixe: Fish pickle.

N

Nevryo: A Christmas special! Deep-fried dumplings made with grated coconut, green cardamom, and cashew nuts.

P

Pao: Bread, not legs. Use it to transfer your curries from plate to mouth.

Patoleo: We have paturi and they have patoleo except that the patoleo is a dessert. Coconut and jaggery are wrapped in turmeric leaves and steamed. Serve it to your boss and get a day off.

Perad: After Maggie Nelson, this is your turn to write a book on a colour. Goa’s guava cheese is a gorgeous shade of violet. Slice with a knife, smear on crackers and let it melt on your tongue as you compose the opening lines.

Poi: Desi pita made with half-maida and half-whole wheat; the perfect carriers to stuff spicy chouriรงo stir-fry into your mouth during boring lectures.

Pez: Brown rice gruel. In other words, what an ombol-ridden Bengali household needs.

Breakfast in Panaji
Breakfast in Panaji

Also read:ย The Complete Guide to Vagator

R

Recheado: From the Portuguese recheado, “stuffed.” This red, hot spice mix is prepared with vinegar, chillies, jaggery, and numerous other spices and stuffed into pomfrets, mackerels, bangda, and all their near and distant cousins. It is sticky and perfect for licking off your manicured fingers.

S

Sanna: No, you do not have to take sanyas to partake of the fluffy, fermented fantasy that’s a sanna aka spongy rice cake.

Sorpotel:ย There’s enough flavourful pig liver, offal, blood, heart, and fatty pork in this stew to keep your carnivorous cravings satisfied.

Suke: All things dry, delicious, and irresistible.

T

Tonak:ย When in Goa, eat as the Goans and swap ghugni with tonak. This delicious curry usually made with red cowpeas and potatoes makes for the perfect breakfast. Remember to substituteย luchiย cravings with Goan pao!ย 

U

Uradmethi: When urad and methi bumped into each other in a simmering curry of raw mangoes, red chillies and jaggery, uradmethi was born. More often than not, you will find pieces of fish swimming in the delicious orange sea.

V

Varan Bhaat: The comfort food of vegan gods and humans alike on the Konkani coast, this simple preparation of pigeon peas and rice cooked with turmeric, jaggery and asafoetida is meant to make one happy.

Vindaloo:ย The simple dish of meat in garlic and wine, vinha d’alhos, had no option but to evolve once its Portuguese parents sailed away from the sunshine coast and fire-loving Indians adopted it with lots of love, and of course, dried red chillies. And they swapped the wine for vinegar because sura is a strict no-no.

X

Xacuti:ย Pronounced sha-ku-ti like the Bengali mom yelling at you when you ask her for favours while she is shredding shaak. A xacuti has coconut, poppy seeds, and dried red chillies instead and is as smooth as silk on the tongue.

Xec-xec: Of course it is shek-shek but nobody will mind you shaking your booty in a shack as you stuff your mouth with crab cooked in fragrant coconut milk.

Xit Kodi: What better way to end this list than with a plate of Goan maach-bhaat?

Mushroom Rawa Fry, Guide to Goan Food
Mushroom Rawa Fry at Kokni Kanteen

Did you enjoy our guide to Goan food? Are we missing a dish? Let us know in the comments.

Goan Food

Categories: , , ,
Mohana & Aninda

Mohana and Aninda are travellers and advocates for car-free travel. Two-together is their travel blog where they document their travels to encourage and inspire readers to seek solace in new places, savour local cuisines, and relish both unique and everyday experiences. When they are not travelling, they are actively researching trip ideas and itineraries, obsessing over public transport timetables, reviewing travel budgets, and developing content for their blog. They are currently based in Edinburgh and exploring Scotland and beyond by public transport.

27 responses to “The Complete Guide to Goan Food”

  1. Jasodhara Batabyal Avatar
    Jasodhara Batabyal

    It takes a lot of efforts to sum up A-Z Goan cuisine! Kudos! There is a non-alcoholic drink found in Goa called, Niro.

    1. Bangali Backpackers Avatar
      Bangali Backpackers

      Thanks! I didn’t know about that. What are the ingredients?

      1. Jasodhara Batabyal Avatar
        Jasodhara Batabyal

        It’s made of cashew only. It is not easily available.

  2. Ankan Avatar
    Ankan

    you actually made it alphabetically and had food that has got first syllables..wow!!!
    loved it..but as you said funny..it is witty i will say….how come you remember all these and the history behind the formation of these dishes ?…Nice write up..

    1. Bangali Backpackers Avatar
      Bangali Backpackers

      Thanks! It was part research part talking to people when we were visiting Goa. Keep an eye out for the Bengali food one…coming soon!

  3. Lena Avatar
    Lena

    What an amazing idea summing up a cuisine using all the letters of the alphabet. I actually might try this as well from now on. I learned a lot from your post about Goan cuisine. Thanks.

    1. Bangali Backpackers Avatar
      Bangali Backpackers

      Thanks, Lena ๐Ÿ™‚ Send us a link to your post/index when you write one.

  4. mapcameratravel1 Avatar
    mapcameratravel1

    This is a great post with quite a few good details. Pics looks so amazing. Thanks for sharing and keep up the good work.

    1. Bangali Backpackers Avatar
      Bangali Backpackers

      Thank you!

  5. Michael Hodgson Avatar
    Michael Hodgson

    Priceless!!! Your descriptions of the various food and its effects and ways to prepare it as well as unexpected outcomes โ€” prepare this and get a day off from the boss or prepares your lips for a kiss. Love it!!!!

    1. Bangali Backpackers Avatar
      Bangali Backpackers

      Thanks for stopping by, Michael!

  6. Our Traveling Zoo (@ourtravelingzoo) Avatar
    Our Traveling Zoo (@ourtravelingzoo)

    Wow, that’s an extensive list!! Things seem really hard to pronounce correctly ๐Ÿ™‚ Am I wrong to think there isn’t much for vegetarians?

    1. Bangali Backpackers Avatar
      Bangali Backpackers

      There is a lot for vegetarians! Goan food can be distinctly divided into food cooked in kitchens of the Portuguese and Indian Catholics and that cooked in Saraswat Brahmin families. The latter is predominantly vegetarian. Let’s see…from this list, the ones that are vegetarian are: bhaji (you can have vegetable fritters), cafreal (you can make a vegetarian variant with paneer), caldindo, chamuca, vegetarian kadhi, khatkhate, pao, patoleo, perad, pez, sanna, tonak, varan bhaat, vegetarian versions of vindaloo, xacuti (if made with mushroom). There you go!

  7. Anja Ben Avatar
    Anja Ben

    I’ve never tried Bangali food (sadly), but gosh does it look amazing! You got me already at pickled shrimp relish, but then violet shaded guava cheese? Sun dried-shrimp with spices? Oh, I hope I get to try some of it some day! I love your moody photos as well.

    1. Bangali Backpackers Avatar
      Bangali Backpackers

      These are Goan foods and yes, they are delicious! We wrote the article from the perspective of Bengali (us!!) eaters ๐Ÿ™‚ Goan food has some truly delicious seafood preparations.
      Thanks for stopping by!

  8. Candy Avatar
    Candy

    I’m so impressed with your extensive list. Some of these I want to try right now and others sounds very adventurous ๐Ÿ™‚

    1. Bangali Backpackers Avatar
      Bangali Backpackers

      Thanks! ๐Ÿ™‚

  9. Milijana Avatar
    Milijana

    Haven’t tried Guava Cheese (Perad) yet. But I’ve heard it is divine. And not so easy to prepare it.

    1. Bangali Backpackers Avatar
      Bangali Backpackers

      ๐Ÿ™‚ Thanks for stopping by!

  10. Sandy N Vyjay Avatar
    Sandy N Vyjay

    The cuisine of India is so vast and varied that it can fill up an encyclopedia. This Bangali guide to Goan food is remarkable. I am sure you may need to come up with such guides for other regional cuisines as well.

    1. Bangali Backpackers Avatar
      Bangali Backpackers

      We’d love to do that too! It was a fun exercise ๐Ÿ™‚
      Thanks for stopping by, Sandy.

  11. Mel Butler Avatar
    Mel Butler

    What a fun post about the Bengali eaters and Goan food! Sounds mouth watering. I really like the sound and look of the Onion Fritters and Mushroom Rawa Fry at Kokni Kanteen. I am a huge fan of Mushrooms and I would definitely give this ago.

    1. Bangali Backpackers Avatar
      Bangali Backpackers

      The mushrooms were cooked just right and the rawa/semolina added a delightful crunch. We highly recommend Kokni Kanteen if you’re ever in Panaji. Thanks for stopping by!

  12. Chris Behrsin Avatar
    Chris Behrsin

    Goan cuisine sounds yummy and I’m surprised to see how many of these I know already (and that I didn’t know were from Goa). We actually had some Vindaloo a few days ago, but it was in England, so I’m not sure how authentic this was. It was very spicy, though. I would love to try a lot of things on this list.

    1. Bangali Backpackers Avatar
      Bangali Backpackers

      The original Portuguese recipe for what is now called Vindaloo in India is pretty different and called for wine. Goan cuisine has a lot of different influences and is diverse and delicious! And if you enjoy cooking, Rita’s blog is a wonderful resource: http://ritasgourmetgoa.com/blog/
      Thanks for stopping by ๐Ÿ™‚

  13. Carlos Peres da Costa Avatar
    Carlos Peres da Costa

    I googled Goan Food and found this blog. As the last mail is of 2018 I would like to know if your are still active. Have some suggestions and comments

    1. Mohana and Aninda Avatar
      Mohana and Aninda

      Yes, we are still very much active! You can see some of our latest posts on the sidebar.

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