(Hong Kong, August 2023) Hong Kong’s leading purveyors of kathi rolls to-go, Bengal Brothers, has been reimagined and will re-open in Wanchai as a boozy canteen with dine-in seating and deliciously affordable, accessible regional Indian street food on 1 September 2023.
(Hong Kong, August 2023) Hong Kong’s leading purveyors of kathi rolls to-go, Bengal Brothers, has been reimagined and will re-open in Wanchai as a boozy canteen with dine-in seating and deliciously affordable, accessible regional Indian street food on 1 September 2023.
From co-founders Vidur Yadav and Tanvir Bhasin, the evolved concept pays tribute to the roadside stalls, daily canteens and coffee houses found across the subcontinent. “More than just a place for sustenance, they’re the glue that brings communities together and the fuel that keeps an entire country going, from rickshaw haulers and traders to businessmen, babus and aunties,” explains Vidur.
In response to popular demand from loyal customers, Bengal Brothers 2.0 offers a greatly expanded menu of delectable street food favourites that can be enjoyed by everyone, every day. Think chaats, beer bites, small plates, curries, roasts and sweets, all made for sharing.
“We want to share our love for, and capture the soul of, Indian street food, not in a fancy format, but the way it should be. It takes the middle ground of offering high-quality fare at approachable prices,” says Tanvir. Vidur continues, “We’ve captured the iconic street food plates from the institutional eateries of the four corners of the country, for example Toddy Shop Beef Fry from the South, Cabin-style Kolkata Beetroot Chops from the East, Parsi Keema Pav from Bombay and the favourite street Chaats of Delhi.”
Standouts include Prince’s Papri Chaat, the beloved staple of India’s chaatwallas. The lip-smacking snack features crispy crackers and spiced potatoes drizzled with yoghurt and house-made chutney then sprinkled with pomegranate, chopped tomatoes and shallots. Chettinad-style Lamb Curry is a southern Indian dish that reflects the region’s past as a prosperous mercantile community. Spanning influences from as far afield as Myanmar, Malaysia and French Indochina, it combines cinnamon, coconut, curry leaves, turmeric and black peppercorns.
Vegetarians will be tempted by the likes of Jackfruit Dum Biryani. Chunks of marinated jackfruit are layered with fragrant basmati rice infused with saffron, cardamom and star anise, then slow-cooked in a sealed pot with berries and fresh herbs. The result is a satisfyingly meaty dish sure to delight carnivores too.
There’s plenty more, including Parsi Keema Pav of spiced minced lamb served with gently toasted, hot buttered buns, or Bombay Vada Pav, an iconic, quick and tasty slider of spiced potato patty slathered with chutney, garlic and chilli. Old Delhi Butter Chicken, an all-time favourite, is done the right way with chargrilled chicken tikka in a silky tomato and cream makhani sauce. And of course, Bengal Brothers’ famous kathi rolls remain, available for dine-in and takeaway, as they have been since the start. Fillings such as chicken tikka, lamb seekh kebab or chargrilled achaari paneer are doused in tangy chutney, onion and lemon juice then wrapped in flaky paratha flatbread.
Bengal Brothers’ new beverage program has been carefully designed for drinking on all-occasions. Cocktails take a tropical, refreshing spin with the likes of Sugarcane Smash made with vodka or rum, sugarcane juice, lime, ginger beer and mint, or Pallonji’s Fizz, inspired by a popular parsi soft drink found in the Irani cafes of Mumbai. Here, it’s made with gin, raspberry-rose shrub, and soda. Highballs, cold beers, wines, and non-alcoholic drinks round out the list, along with ‘Daam’ good, value-for-quality scotch for the perfect after-dinner nightcap.
Located on Johnston Road in Wan Chai, the restaurant trades the bustling streets of Kolkata and Delhi for a convenient and vibrant Hong Kong locale where trams, minibuses and red taxis go by. Designed by Hong Kong-based studio Brash Atelier, the interior design is inspired by India’s colourful post-colonial canteens and coffee houses, with retro diner-style booths and stools. It’s casual, fun and great for a quick after-work beverage, or for small groups wanting to feast on authentic street fare.
Bengal Brothers is also a platform for showcasing the best of India today, from young, talented chefs to cool producers and products, including Godawan 2, an artisanal single malt whisky from Rajasthan in India and Goan craft gin maker Stranger & Sons.
“The new Bengal Brothers tells the story of India in a way that hasn’t been done before in Hong Kong. It’s a boozy canteen that celebrates the everyday food and people of our heritage in a modern way. India is a diverse country with different religions, languages and cuisines, but these institutional eateries are the walls within which people forget these barriers and simply come together to eat good food and enjoy. We hope to capture the essence of these eateries. Good food and good hospitality have no barriers. Our hope is for Bengal Brothers to have the same effect on the people of Hong Kong,” says Vidur.
Bengal Brothers Wanchai will be reopening on 1 September 2023 on Johnston Road. Accepting reservations for dinner.
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For Bengal Brothers' full media kit including high-res imagery, factsheet & bios, please click HERE.
Address: Shop D G/F, Man Hee Mansion, 6 Johnston Road, Wanchai
FB: www.facebook.com/bengalbrothershk
Website: www.bengal-brothers.com
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 11am- 10pm
Reservations accepted for dinner only.
https://book.bistrochat.com/bengalbrothers
WhatsApp: +852 9245 8774
About Bengal Brothers
Bengal Brothers was founded in Hong Kong in 2021 by business partners and friends - Tanvir Bhasin and Vidur Yadav - as a fast casual ‘click and mortar’ concept that championed the deliciousness and accessibility of India’s famous Kati Rolls and “First-Class” Bowls.
Today, the Bengal Brothers concept has evolved to include a dine-in location in Wan Chai with an expanded menu offering, a boozy canteen serving Indian street food inspired by the daily canteens, street stalls & eateries that fuel the hustle-bustle of everyday India. Open for lunch & dinner from Monday to Sunday, the casual venue serves up a short canteen-style menu of tangy chaats, punchy street snacks, famous Kati rolls & robust large plates, best enjoyed sharing style with chilled beer, wine & refreshing cocktails.
In addition to their flagship dine-in location on Johnston Road in Wan Chai, Bengal Brothers’ takeaway business continues to flourish with outlets in Kennedy Town and BaseHall in Jardine House.
For more information, please contact Companion Communications:
Alex Berry: Alex@companioncommunications.com
June Heung: June@companioncommunications.com
Dominique Backhouse: Dominique@companioncommunications.com