Monsoon is the time to celebrate hilsa in all its glory. But when it comes to Bengal, how can prawn lovers be left behind? Ilish vs Chingri in association with t2 at City Centre Salt Lake, held between June 29 and July 1, stood witness to this trademark Calcutta battle. At the end, however, it was the spirit of the Calcutta foodie that emerged victorious. Snapshots:

T2 PICKS

The Rawa Fried Prawns are an interesting spin on fried prawns with the addition of suji in the mix that gives it a crispy texture, without making it too oily. Rs 250 per plate @ The Sonnet

No fish festival can be complete without a serving of Paturi. We loved the prawn version.Rs 120 @ Astha Bhojan

This slightly sweet, scented Ilish Pulao, cooked with fried onions, made for a hearty meal. Rs 250 @ Tilottama

When it comes to relishing a hatke prawn delicacy, the Kochu Pata Bhapa Chingri could be a delicious option. 
Rs 280 for 200g @ Bhuter Raja Dilo Bor

Aromatic Lemon Rice meets spicy Prawns in Coconut Curry for a match made in heaven.
Rs 225 @ Khawab

Bengal’s twin loves come together in this Ilish O Patishapta.  Rs 80 @ Apanjan

Monsoon is incomplete without bhaja bhuji and when that means a Prawn Cutlet, there’s nothing like it! Rs 220 
@ Bijoli Grill

A break from the Bengali delicacies was this Prawn Burger with Chips. Rs 80 @ Shanta’s Catering

Fusing every Calcuttan’s love for both into one, the Ilish Biryani is a plate of delight. Rs 250 @ Bahari Ahaar

Quintessentially Bengali, no prawn festival is complete without the traditional Daab Chingri —  prawn cooked in mustard and coconut cream. Rs 170 @ Mitra Cafe

THEY LOVED...

Belghoria resident Debesh Roy was there with his family, and they made the most of the festival with the Chingri Pulao from Astha Bhojan and Khichudi and Ilish Paturi from Poush Parbon. “I think I would choose ilish over chingri any day,” he told us, as his granddaughter nodded in agreement.

Diptangshu Nath, a Class VII student of Indus Valley World School dropped by the festival with his parents. “I love fish, and the Fish Fry from Mitra Cafe was very nice,” Diptangshu said, while his parents added that their loyalties lay with chingri.

WBSEDCL employee Somnath Upadhyay and his wife Ankhi got to know about the festival from t2. “We tried the Prawn Kabiraji and Ilish Thali from Apanjan,”said the couple. When it came to their loyalties, however, there was a split with Ankhi picking ilish and Somnath voting for chingri.

Text: Puja Basu. Pictures: B. Haldar