Dak Bungalow Chicken Curry aka Chicken Dak Bungalow recipe (2024)

I was planning to write aboutDak Bungalow Chicken Curry for a long; however, I was a bit confused with the available resources and details. Every single recipe available was claimed to be authentic! I never had this dish of chicken while growing up. In fact, I for the first time hadDak Bungalow Chicken Curry aka Chicken Dak Bungalow at Bhojohari Manna, the famous Bengali restaurant.

I then decided to dig into the "Chicken Curry" for my own sake. I talked to one of the owners of Bhojohari Manna Mr. Siddhartha Bose a few months back. I didn't come up with the recipe even then (blame it on my lethargic nature). In the recent month (just before puja actually) for a videoproject, I finally decided to cook Dak Bungalow Chicken Curry. At this point, I contacted food historian, Ms. Pritha Sen.

What is Dak Bungalow Chicken Curry? (Chicken Dak Bungalow Origin)

I have decided to quote One restauranteur and one food historian instead of writing the details myself 😊😊. And why not especially when both of them have something interesting to share about "Dakbangla Murgi"!

Here'sSiddhartha Da's version!

"When we were starting Bhojohori Manna way back in 2003, our team member Goutam Ghose, the famed film personality narrated the experience of people reaching the dakbangla's in some remote rural areas at what is considered late evenings in such zones and if asked what could be served. The Dakbangla caretaker would offer to go out into the darkness of the night to find a fowl for a paltry sum and make a curry out of it and serve it with steaming rice and a few green chilies. Absolutelymouthwatering stuff.

We then got into exciting discussions on the subject..and then Goutam added...lets do this and add a whole chicken egg into it as well. That would define value for money for the customers. That's how Chicken and Mutton Dakbangla evolved at Bhojohori Manna. Today we find many experts writing about the origin,recipe and a whole lot of other things on the subject. For us it happened through an evening session of excitement over food. We also find all categories of restaurants and hotels naming any kind of curry as Dakbangla!"

He also mentioned; "We never linked it with any authenticity

Pritha Di's version is also in similar lines.

Dak Bungalow Chicken Curry aka Chicken Dak Bungalow is a simple chicken curry the Dakbangla caretakers used to cook. You must understand what for the dak bungalow meant for. During the British period the rest houses in the "dak" route were referred as dakbangla or dak bungalow. This curry has never been about elaborate cooking or exotic spices back then. Instead, it was cooked with the basic spices available at the remote points. They used to add Potato, but Egg was a later inclusion. Basically, it is a wholesome chicken curry prepared with basic and easily & available spices."

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Debjani's two cents onDak Bungalow Chicken Curry aka Chicken Dak Bungalow!

Let me start with the definition of Dak Bungalow. These are nothing but Government-owned rest houses located in remote areas. Dak means Post. These houses were initially developed to make the process of postal service easy and to give lodging and food to the officials traveling for work. The houses were having basic rations to cater to the need for food and a few personnel such as a gatekeeper and a Khansama (cook). They used to cook with the limited resources available and also at times with no prior intimation about the guest coming.

Hence, no marination; no fancy spices; use of locally available ingredients and to come up with a wholesome dish. This is how Dak Bungalow Chicken came into existence.

Keeping in mind the information's I ended up cooking the Dak Bungalow Chicken. I did not use a paste of onion; instead, I used roughly chopped onion. I thought have used a paste of Ginger and Garlic along with a few basic spices. Also, I have used Cumin, Coriander, and Garam Masala.

I wasn't sure whether curd was part of this curry then; however, I have used it. Last but not least, I have used both Potato and Egg along with Chicken. Rest is nothing but slow cooking.

For me, Dak Bungalow Chicken Curry aka Chicken Dak Bungalow is a Bengali-style chicken curry cooked with basic spices along with egg and potato.

Here I must mention, I don't believe in authentic "this" and authentic "that" when it comes to food. Hence, This recipe is not an authentic one but a practical one matching the details available.

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Video Recipe of Dak Bungalow Chicken Curry!

Other Chicken dishes from Debjanir Rannaghar:

• Chicken Keema Paratha (also known as Chicken paratha)
• Chicken Chaap (also known as Chaap Bhaja)
• Aam Kasundi Murgi (also known as Bengali Style Chicken in Mango Mustard Sauce)
• Chicken Kosha (also known as Bengali Kosha Murgir Mangsho)
• Pish-Pash aka Pish Pash,
• Doi Murgi | also known as Kolkata style Doi Chicken
• Murgi Khichuri (also known as Chicken Khichuri)
• Panch Phoron Murgi (also known as Bengali Chicken Curry with Panch Phoron)
• Bangladeshi Chicken Roast | also known as Biyebarir Chicken Roast
• Robibarer Murgir Jhol (also known as Bengali light chicken curry)
• Desi Murgir Dum (also known as Bengali Country Chicken Curry)

Have you tried the Dak Bungalow Chicken Curry aka Chicken Dak Bungalow Recipe from Debjanir Rannaghar!

Do let me know how it came out. Also, I would love to see a picture of the same which you can share here on dolonchttrj@gmail.com. Meanwhile, on Instagram, you can use my hashtag #debjanirrannaghar and in addition, you can tag me at@foodofdebjani.

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