Goalondo Steamer Curry, or Goalondo Ghater Murgi, is a wonderfully simple and tasty dish born from the boatmen of Goalondo Ghat. This small town in Bangladesh, fondly called 'Opar Bangla,' has gained a reputation as a food lover's paradise thanks to this age-old, easy-to-prepare chicken curry. Made with just a handful of spices, it boasts a truly delightful flavor that has pleased locals and travelers for years. Why not visit Rajbari District and savor this incredible curry for yourself?

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Goalondo Steamer Curry- a myth or reality of the past?

What started as a simple chicken curry cooked by boatmen in Goalondo Ghat has become a beloved dish known as Goalondo Steamer Curry or Goalondo Ghater Murgi. This uncomplicated curry's popularity is largely thanks to those boatmen from Goalondo Ghat, a charming town in Bangladesh.
Located in the Rajbari District, Goalondo Ghat sits on the banks of the mighty Padma River. This river has played a key role in the town's history, as its boatmen have been delighting locals with their flavorful curry for generations. Over time, the curry has been refined and perfected, becoming a favorite among both locals and visitors. It perfectly embodies the local culture and cuisine, making it a must-try for anyone exploring the region.
Goalondo Murgi- story

The old train route from Calcutta to East Bengal, that was once terminated in Goalondo, left travelers with no other option but to take the steamer from there to Narayanganj. It was an overnight journey and the boatmen prepared a basic chicken curry for their own sustenance. To everyone's surprise, however, this runny and light curry became popular among travelers too and is now known as Golanondo Ghater Murgi; a signature Bengali chicken dish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Goalondo Steamer Curry is a very basic boatman-style chicken curry
The Goalondo Steamer Curry, or as the locals fondly call it, Boatmen-style chicken curry, is a truly delightful dish made with a surprisingly simple recipe. Created out of necessity by boatmen who lacked access to fancy spices and the time for elaborate preparations, this curry relies on mustard oil as its star ingredient, giving it a unique and unforgettable flavor. In fact, you don't even need garam masala to create this easy-to-make culinary gem!
Variation
The Goalondo Steamer Curry is a delectable dish whose recipe varies with the availability of ingredients. It's an easy, yet flavorful curry that calls for minimal ingredients. Though some may claim the traditional way to make it includes shrimp paste, the truth is you can use whatever you have on hand. From basic spices to more unique flavors, create your own version of this scrumptious treat!
Recipe Card
Goalondo Steamer Curry or Boatman Style Chicken Curry
A sumptuous and hearty Boatman Style Chicken Curry awaits you! Goalondo steamer curry aka boatman style chicken curry is a basic earthy Bengali-style chicken curry
Ingredients
- 500 g Chicken curry cut
- 2 Onion
- 10 cloves Garlic
- 2- inch Ginger
- 6 Dry Red Chillies
- 5 Green Chilli according to taste
- 2 teaspoon Turmeric Powder
- ½ Cup Mustard Oil
- 1.5 teaspoon Salt or to taste
Instructions
- Clean chicken pieces properly.
- Roughly chop Onion, garlic, ginger, and green chilies and prepare a coarse powder of dry chilies*.
- Marinate chicken pieces with all the ingredients mentioned except salt.
- This is, however, my personal opinion to not to add salt to cooking.
- Leave it for at least one hour but I prefer to marinate overnight.
- Take the marinated chicken in a thick bottom pan and sauté on high flame for 5 minutes.
- Then cook on low flame till the chicken turns tender.
- No need to add water; the chicken will be cooked in its own juice.
- Switch the flame off and give the curry a standing time of 10 minutes.
Notes
- Avoid adding sour ingredients like tomatoes, yogurt, or tamarind.
- Similarly, skip the typical spices such as garam masala or coriander powder.
- For the best flavor, use coarsely ground red chilies instead of red chili powder.
- There's no need to add water, as the chicken and other ingredients will release enough moisture.
- Finally, remember that using mustard oil is crucial; don't substitute it with any other oil if you want to capture the authentic taste of Goalondo Steamer Curry.
Nutrition
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Have you tried the Goalondo Steamer Curry Recipe from Debjanir Rannaghar?
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This recipe of Goalondo Steamer Curry was featured by Rediff.
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Amitabh Hazarika says
Oh, truly amazing recipe, simple yet so finger licking..!! Thanx a lot for sharing.. tried last weekend at home N everyone in the family appreciated.
Sudeep Mukherjee says
I make this curry with shrimp paste and a double dose of red hot chilli paste.
The other thing that I do to get the marinade in is to gently pound the chicken pieces before marinating.
The kucho chingri paste adds to the taste.
Have also tried with Bombay duck/loitta in the chicken.
Pritha Ray Saha says
Hi. Would you please share how you prepare the kucho chingri paste? Could it be made with larger prawns?
Debjani says
Kucho stands for small 🙂 .. It is better to use small prawns or shrimps for the right texture. I'll for sure share the recipe soon.
Shan says
The MAIN ingredient of this chicken curry (besides the chicken) is shrimp paste. Even better dried shrimp paste (shNutki). You seemed to have missed that
Debjani says
Not really. Do try it once in Bangladesh.