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Calcutta street style fish rolls
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Calcutta Fish Roll recipe

Fish roll is spicy and flavorful tuna wrapped in white flaky fish, coated with bread crumbs, and deep-fried to perfection. This is one of the most innovative and iconic fish dishes in Kolkata, which is available only at a select few restaurants. Serve it with raw onions, mustard sauce and tomato for the whole authentic Bengali fish experience.
Course Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine Bengali, Indian
Keyword Bengali fish recipe, Fish fry, Fried Fish, Indian fish
Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Servings 4

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp vegetable/canola oil
  • 1 small onion finely chopped
  • 2 tbsp garlic minced
  • 1 tbsp ginger minced
  • 2 green chilies chopped
  • 1 tsp cumin powder
  • 1/2 tsp chili powder
  • 1 can tuna in water
  • 2 tbsp raisins
  • 1 small potato peeled and boiled (boil the potato while you are chopping the veggies to save time)
  • 2 fillets of tilapia bhetki if you are in India
  • 2 eggs beaten with 2 tbsp water and seasoned with salt
  • 2 cups bread crumbs seasoned with salt and black pepper

Instructions

  • Cut each fillet of fish into 4 pieces, and then pound each piece with a meat pounder/cast iron skillet/rolling pin to flatten into a very thin slice. Repeat for each piece and set them aside in the refrigerator while you work on the stuffing.
  • Heat oil over medium heat. Add chopped onions and saute until translucent.
  • Add garlic, ginger and chilies and saute for 3-4 minutes.
  • Drain all excess liquid from the tuna can and add the fish to the pan.
  • Add all the powdered spices and salt, and cook for 4-5 more minutes.
  • Stir in the raisins and remove from heat.
  • When the tuna has cooled, add the boiled potato and mash, using your hands or a spatula, until it is thoroughly mixed.
  • Divide the stuffing into 8 equal portions. Using the palm of your hands roll them into cylindrical shapes (as shown in the image above).
  • Carefully wrap each tuna roll in a flattened fish fillet.
  • Dip the a roll in egg wash, and then roll it in bread crumbs. Repeat this step to double coat the roll so it doesn't fall apart while frying.
  • When all the rolls are breaded, heat enough oil in a pan for deep frying. Fry no more than 2-3 rolls at a time. Fry them for 2 minutes on each side over medium to high heat. Don't let the oil get too hot at any time.
  • Remove onto a plate lined with tissue to drain the excess oil.
  • Garnish with cilantro and serve with ketchup or lime slices.