Something I find thrilling about food is the fact that similar types of dishes have popped up independently across the world.
More cultures than not have dumplings. Fried dough has graced a plethora of cultural pockets from Spain to China (learn about the history of churros HERE). Grilled meats. Stewed vegetables. Various types of bread. It goes to show that despite how diverse homo sapiens may be, there’s a thread of common instinct that links us all together.
“The wrap” is another style of food that’s popular across the globe.
There’s jianbing in China, burritos in Mexico, sushi rolls in Japan, gyros in Greece. And, the star of this post, kathi rolls in India.
A kathi roll is a popular type of Indian street food that originated in Kolkata. It’s simply something wrapped in a paratha roll (south Asian flatbread). The fillings range from kebab to aloo gobi. And they are topped with chutney and spices. The result is a quick, delicious, affordable snack that’ll have your taste buds dancing. Sound like something you might enjoy? I’ve got you covered…
Here are 3 spots where you can get kathi rolls in NYC.
1. Kati Roll Company
The Kati Roll Company was founded in 2002 in NYC by Payal Saha– an immigrant from Kolkata. She had the vision of bringing the flavors of home to NYC, and now there are 4 locales across Manhattan. You can snack both meat and veggie options, and they all range from $4.50-$7.50.
I’ve popped in a few times, as it’s the perfect quick bite. My favorite is the aloo masala roll. The mashed potato patty has a delightful texture and the flavors are straight up heart warming. Certainly some of the best kathi rolls in NYC!
2. Desi Galli
Desi Galli is the brainchild of Chef PriaVanda, a true wizard of flavor. From chaats to curry, this spot serves up epic Indian food with unapologetically bold flavors. You can also score a wide range of kathi rolls, all under $10. Pro tip: Keep your eyes peeled for new specials and lunch deals.
3. Thelewala
This Greenwich Village hole in the wall dishes out Indian street food for very reasonable prices. The nizami rolls are the star of the menu. I’m not quite sure how nizami rolls and kathi rolls differ, as they appear to be the same. I’m sure someone on the internet will be kind enough to shed some light on the matter. (Preferably in a kind way.) These bad boys are loaded with spices, flavors, and textures for a pretty stellar flavor journey that’s under $10.
