Chinese Food - as it arrived in India
Earlier Chinese migrants to India (1778) were Cantonese, who specialized in carpentry. As they made Kolkata as their home, they flourished in the business of Tea, Porcelain, and Chinese Silk. Kolkata was the hub, from where merchandise moved to England and Portugal. By 1850, Hakka Chinese from Central China arrived in Kolkata. They settled in Boubazar and Moulali. Hakka and Cantonese though both from China did not see each other eye to eye. With history of conflict in mainland China, the same was repeated here at Kolkata. Hakka Chinese could not compete with Cantonese. So, they started the business of Home cooked Chinese food (noodles). First Chinese food outlet was opened in the same building where "Tung Nam" restaurant (Tiretti) is housed at present. Chinese food was outright success. It tinkled the Indian Test Buds. Cantonese saw the opportunity in the business, by being suppliers of condiments for Chinese food. They supplied sauces for Chinese food. Soon, the cuisine wa...