Tai Sen Chinese Eating House — Restaurant in Kolkata

So, around September 2019, a friend and I went shopping for musical instruments in Lalbazar area. After shopping we were trying to look for a decent lowkey place to have some Chinese food (the place being the old Chinatown of Kolkata) when we chanced upon this yet unopened shop. We discovered that it's run by a family from Haka. They were warm and welcoming. Told us that it's still a month away from opening. So after some exchanges we left and had to satisfy ourselves with chai samosa.

So, coincidentally another group of friends and I landed there a month later in October for some more musical shopping and I remembered about Tai-Sen. So we went there again to check. Yes! They were open! So we went in and after beautiful conversations with the family, when they asked what I'd like to have, I asked them (like food critics in arthouse films) to surprise me!

They asked about my restrictions and went in. They brought in pork yam-mein with wonton and pork in black bean sauce or oyster sauce (cannot recall in exact). What can I say! This never claimed to be your 3-Michelin starred-food-show-owning boutique restaurant. It's a quaint humble eating house by the looks of it. So beautifully Chinese, the ambience, the vibe, the aromas, that you'd not want to leave. The food was out of this world! The chef, Mr. Edwin (whom I call uncle/sir now) came out of the kitchen to explain his cooking methods and enquired personally what all lacked. I was beyond impressed! When I said I loved everything, he refused to accept the compliment on face value. I had to critically respond to every dish, about why I liked them. It felt like a familial moment. I can assure you, you will have to work hard to get disappointed here. If we quip about the quality, their response would be freshest ingredients and mindful cooking. The food there is not just tasty, but healthy too! They cook what they eat at home, they eat what they cook at their shop. So, in such a long passage, all I would like the reader to note is that: Once the lockdown gets over, and things slowly normalise, just go and try them out. You'd leave with #bliss! I know I will. ❣️

P.S. - This is not a paid review, if you're wondering. I wouldn't have cared less. It's 7 months too late, anyway, from the the time of my visit! They are a lovely bunch of people and deserve this...

Plz Note: The menu card offers options for Half and Full portions for all main course and side dishes, but it is not clearly mentioned. (Side dishes have prices listed for Half plates, but main course noodles/rice do not. You can ask them half plate noodles/rice as one plate quantity is good for 2 person—the price for Half is half of the Full plate.)

Hope they will take care of this issue in next menu card printing.

This is a very good family-run Chinese eatery with good food and humble service.

✅AC is available. ❌Wi-Fi is only for staff, not for the customer 😕

Now, coming to the food— They have a limited but well-organized menu. In fact, they help you understand the dishes while taking your order. The Uncle, Aunty, and Bhaiya are very humble and welcoming.

Try their soup, or jump straight to Wantons/Fried Prawns(Very good quality prawns).

We often order:

Chilli-Garlic Pork Noodles (Good enough, often order it)⭐⭐⭐⭐

Mixed Hakka Noodles (This dish is without pork, so we add extra pork. You can also add extra chicken or egg.) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Gravy Noodles (I like them; my friend does not. If you like soup, stew like comfort food/blant taste, you prefer it) ⭐⭐⭐1/2

Dry Kung Pao Pork ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Dry Chilli Pork (with fat)⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

THEY NEVER ADD FOOD COLOUR OR RUBBING HARMFUL RED DYE ON PORK BELLY TO SHOW IT CARAMALIZED; ETHICAL BUSINESS!

Also, you can request meat with a little fat—they customize it as per your preference. In fact , pork tasted best when meat added with fat part. (However, they also have an extended menu for advance order like Kaptai pork, black mushroom pork, roasted ribs etc)

If you go to Near KC Das Dharmatala Or Writers building, this place is 2 /3 minute by walking distance from both place, almost middle —location advntg!

(In pic: Dry kungpao pork, Gravy noodles, Dry chilli pork with fat, Mixed noodles with added pork, Chilli Garlic...

Tai Sen, a small Chinese Eating House is a pure hidden gem located at Bentick Street very close to Lalbazar Crossing in Central Kolkata

Being one of the Tangra style chinese restaurants in the traditional Chinese area of Tiretta Bazar, this outlet is said to be less than 10years old (as per owner). This small outlet is air-conditioned inside with a very simple and cosy interior having limited seating arrangements (more like a takeway joint) with a portion of kitchen on the other side of the end. The place was quite cosy but it seemed very congested due to limited space

Coming to the menu, they have a clean and clear compact options where you can choose to satisfy your hunger. Pork is available here, so this is a plus point. They have most of the items available priced moderately in accordance with other restaurants

We ordered few starters and main courses along with beverages. The food served to us was absolutely at par with quality and quality both. The pork was very good and fresh. Each and every items had that perfect spice balance and punch to definitely satisfy your taste buds

Overall, highly reccomended to everyone to try out chinese food from Tai Sen as this is purely a hidden gem amongst the many. The only thing I wish is that they need to revamp and expand the interiors for more...