Eau Chew — Restaurant in Kolkata

Eau Chew, Kolkata – A Hidden Gem for Authentic Chinese Cuisine !!

If you are looking for a taste of authentic Hakka Chinese food in Kolkata, Eau Chew is the place to be. Established in the early 1920s, this family-run restaurant is one of the oldest Chinese eateries in the city, preserving the flavors and traditions brought by the Chinese community to Kolkata. Nestled in a nondescript building, Eau Chew may not boast fancy décor, but what it lacks in ambiance, it more than makes up for with its exceptional home-style Chinese food.

The Star Dish – Chimney Soup One of the most famous dishes here is the legendary Chimney Soup, a unique, hearty broth served in a traditional metal chimney pot. The soup is placed over a burner, keeping it warm throughout the meal, making it a perfect dish for sharing. Loaded with prawns, chicken, mushrooms, fish, and vegetables, the soup is light yet flavorful, with a deep umami richness. It’s enough for 2-3 people, making it a great value-for-money option.

Other Must-Try Dishes While Chimney Soup is the highlight, Eau Chew’s menu offers several other authentic and flavorful dishes:

Prawn Pakoda – Crispy, deep-fried prawn fritters that are perfect as a starter. The batter is light, crunchy, and complements the fresh, juicy prawns inside. Josephine Noodles – Named after the chef-owner’s wife, this dish is a must-try, featuring flat noodles tossed with meat, egg, and vegetables in a simple yet delicious sauce. Stuffed Prawns – A unique dish where fresh prawns are stuffed with minced meat and spices, then deep-fried to perfection. Roast Pork – For pork lovers, this dish is a delight, offering tender, flavorful meat with a rich sauce.

Authenticity & Family-Run Hospitality

One of the most remarkable aspects of Eau Chew is that it is still run by the same Chinese family, ensuring that the recipes remain unchanged over generations. The food here isn’t heavily modified to suit Indian tastes, making it one of the most authentic Chinese dining experiences in Kolkata. The owners are often seen interacting with guests, adding a warm and personal touch to the dining experience.

Ambiance & Pricing – No-Frills, Budget-Friendly

Eau Chew is not about fancy interiors or luxurious settings—it’s about great food served in a simple, home-like atmosphere. The place is small, with basic seating, but the charm lies in its old-world authenticity. Despite being one of the oldest Chinese restaurants in the city, the prices are surprisingly reasonable, making it an excellent choice for those looking for quality food at an affordable price.

Final Verdict – A Must-Visit for Authentic Chinese Food Lovers If you love authentic, home-style Chinese cuisine and don’t mind a no-frills dining experience, Eau Chew is a must-visit. The legendary Chimney Soup, crispy Prawn Pakodas, and other traditional dishes make it stand out from the more commercialized Chinese restaurants in Kolkata. It’s one of those rare places where food speaks louder than décor, and every dish carries a rich history.

✔ Must-Try: Chimney Soup, Prawn Pakoda, Josephine Noodles, Stuffed Prawns 🏠 Ambiance: Simple, homely, nostalgic 🍽️ Best For: Casual dining, family outings, budget-friendly meals 💰 Pricing: Affordable, great value for money

Final Thought: A hidden gem for lovers of traditional Chinese food, Eau Chew is a timeless part of Kolkata’s culinary landscape. If you’re a foodie, this place deserves a spot on your...

Eau Chew has become my go to for its Authentic Ethnic Chinese-Origin Family run restaurant in Kolkata. In an age where most Chinese Owned Restaurants in New China Town / Tangra have shifted ownership and have caved in to non-authentic Chinese food, Eau Chew is one of the rare ones that survives in Kolkata as a strict Indo-Chinese family moderated restaurant with their family recipe passed down across generations.

I have read a lot of complaints in previous reviews about their food being basic, overpriced and the decor being basic. Let me tell you. This is not a commercial establishment at all and they don't gloat Eau Chew to be as such. It is more of a family run kitchen striving to deliver authentic Chinese food. The food is not basic, it is tasty because it is supposed to be "homely" and healthy. Their food doesn't have added MSG or bad oils or remove the original flavour of ingredients by adding extra ingredients. Their foods are a little above the price because they are not a retail fast food chain with huge capital, so they have to manage paying for their overhead and expenses. Their decor may be homely, but they go great lengths in maintaining overall culinary and ambient hygiene, total neatness and one would get a peaceful quiet positive vibe from this establishment. Bring your family or your romantic partner and no one will be disappointed.

My Mother and my girlfriend who is of foreign origin absolute love their food and insist on getting food from Eau Chew often.

Thanks Mr. Huang, I hope you keep this gem of a Indo-Chinese Heritage of your family in...

To taste the original Chinese flavours in Kolkata, me and my friend went to Eau Chew (Europe in Mandarin), one of the oldest Chinese restaurants in the city.

Nearly 96 years back, the food joint was opened by Mr. Achumpa Huang to provide homely food to the Chinese immigrants working in the city. It was set up during the time when majorly Europeans stayed in the area, hence the name 'Eau Chew'.

It is entirely a family-run restaurant wherein the food is still cooked by the family members to keep the recipe secret as well as ensure authenticity and quality.

Coming to the food, we had 3 authentic dishes:

• Chimney Soup: This is the signature dish, a half-cooked soup with a burning coal inside the soup pot. The soup consists of chicken, pork, fish, prawn, egg drop, and veggies.

• Josephine Noodles: Invented by Mr. Josephine Hwang (3rd gen), a tray of pan-fried noodles with toppings of chicken, fish, prawn, mushroom, and vegetables.

• Chicken in Wine Sauce: Smoked boneless chicken pieces cooked in Chinese red wine.

The Chimney soup and Josephine noodles tasted really well. You can add some vinegar-chilli to the soup to enhance the taste flavours. Chicken in wine sauce was okay for a one time try (also depends on your taste buds, my friend liked it a lot).

📍 Ganesh Chandra Avenue, Bowbazar (near Chandni Chowk metro)

P. S. they shut doors by 3 pm and reopen by 6 pm, so plan...