Koshe Kosha Hatibagan — Restaurant in Kolkata

• Koshe Kosha (কষে কষা), Hatibagan outlet, sits in a prime location near the famous Kashi Bose Lane Durga Puja Pandal. On our visit during Durga Puja, we were surprised that the restaurant was not completely packed even during peak hours, so we got a table quickly. The ambience has a nice Bengali charm, paired with comforting air conditioning that gave a relaxing break from the crowded pandals. Service was also reasonably fast, which added to the initial good impression. 🍴

• Coming to the food, we ordered Basanti Pulao (₹255), Kosha Mangsho (₹595 for 4 pieces), Plain Rice (₹125), Sabjir Makhamakhi (₹225), and Sona Muger Dal (₹225). The Basanti Pulao tasted decent, but the portion felt oddly placed, too much for one person but not really enough for two. The Kosha Mangsho was a disappointment. The gravy had a burnt onion taste, almost as if the beresta was over-fried instead of caramelized, and the mutton pieces were not tender at all. It took a fair bit of effort to chew and separate the meat from the bones, which ruined the experience.

• The vegetarian options were even less impressive. Their special Puja menu had very limited veg choices, which felt like a deliberate attempt to push customers toward the non-veg dishes. The recommended Sabjir Makhamakhi turned out to be nothing but a North Indian-style mix veg curry. It was neither authentic nor enough to go with plain rice, so we had to order the Sona Muger Dal. Thankfully, the dal was delicious and carried the true comforting taste we were expecting.

• Pricing was another major letdown. Koshe Kosha had removed their usual all-year thalis and many veg items from the Puja menu, leaving fewer choices at inflated rates. With the taste being far from outstanding, the high prices felt unjustified, and the additional GST made the bill shoot even higher. For the amount we paid, it did not feel worth it, and I honestly do not see myself visiting again for a meal here.

• The staff, however, were polite and professional, which was one saving grace. Overall, Koshe Kosha Hatibagan may be known for its brand name, but during our experience it failed to deliver the value or taste expected from such a reputed...

Koshe Kosha is one of Kolkata’s well-known Bengali restaurants, celebrated for its authentic traditional Bengali cuisine, especially its signature Kosha Mangsho (slow-cooked spicy mutton curry). The Hatibagan branch is one of the oldest and most iconic outlets of the chain.

Origins: The brand “Koshe Kosha” was founded in the early 2000s with the idea of serving authentic Bengali delicacies in a homely yet restaurant-friendly environment. The name itself comes from the Bengali word kosha, meaning “slow-cooked with rich spices.”

Hatibagan Connection: Hatibagan, one of North Kolkata’s busiest marketplaces, became a natural choice for one of its first branches. The area has long been associated with traditional Bengali culture, food, theatre (Star Theatre nearby), and the bustling shopping crowd. Opening in Hatibagan helped Koshe Kosha connect with the city’s North Kolkata foodie culture, where both locals and theatre-goers became regular visitors.

Growth: Over time, Koshe Kosha expanded to multiple outlets across Kolkata and beyond, but the Hatibagan outlet still holds heritage value as it captured the nostalgia of old North Kolkata dining, where locals gather over mutton curry, luchi, and fish dishes.

Cultural Role: Much like Mitra Café or Golbari (another legendary eatery in Shyambazar), Koshe Kosha Hatibagan became part of the city’s food history, representing modern Bengali restaurants that balance tradition with...

We visited yesterday at this branch for having our dinner and also taking some preperation packed for our home.

Dine in Order:- Bhetki Fry Basanti Pulao Mutton Kasha

Bhetki Fry was okay but they have fried it too much ( I hope the readers would know, why you need to fry too much 😉)

Pulao was also somewhat okay, but unfortunately the cook forgot to put salt onto it. It was manageble by sprinkling salt over the Pulao.

Now comes the major part, the Mutton Kasha. Trust me guys, I went to Koshe Kasha after having this particular recipe from the same place but from Salt Lake branch. The experience at the Salt Lake branch was just Awww! But the Mutton Kasha that we had at the Hatibagan branch was a blunder. Instantly we figured out that the Mutton was not Fresh at all. Never. Even the curry was having some lime flavour (hope the reader knows why we put lemon/lime on curries).

We packed 2 Mutton Kasha and 1 Chicken Kasha back to home. Same applicable to them as well. Who ever had those food at home are really dissatisfied with the quality of the food.

Overall, tbh yesterday was my final visit at Koshe Kasha. After spending such huge prices for the food, this is really not expected. You guys are an epitome of Bengali cuisine and if this the case then you guys should buckle up and be...