They refer it as "hidden Gem" but for the true Chinese food lovers in Kolkata this place is indeed gem but not at all hidden. Tung Nam is glorious with the shabby interior, old red plastic chairs, no ac, and really good Chinese food! There are few places, which are for me cult when it comes to the typical choice of food. This is irrespective of how plain looking the joint is, how simple the location is, whether the place is air-conditioned or not!
I never thought to write about Tung Naam before though I am going there from the growing up years. In fact, I first visited Tung Naam with my father years back when I told him that I wanted to taste real good Pork. Baba loves his portion of Pork and so I am. Naturally, Baba decided for the "Parar Dokan", well almost, as the place a kilometer away from my central Kolkata residence. Probably his intention was to help his daughter to indulge the real goodness with moderate price. In fact, that was the first time I tasted Pork. Since then Tung Nam is the place for my portion of Pork loaded comfort. After that, I visited Tung Nam several times with Dad as well as with my friends and cherished my food there.
As I already mentioned I never thought to write about the place before but as they say better less than never. Probably that is what comfort food does to us, we cherish it, we indulge it without even thinking of sharing the experience. In addition, my last visit was a bit special as it was with my blogger friends and few other foodies who enjoy their portion of Pork. Those who are not aware of the place, Tung Nam is a famous but small food joint near Podder Court. Not to mention Tung Nam is famous for their Chinese spread.
Indrajit Lahiri, the Mahamushkil Man and Doma Wang (owner of Blue Poppy and a food lover) and her daughter were planning to visit Tung Nam. I took no time to join them and found Anindya and Madhushree from Pikturenema did the same. Apart from us, there was Somnath Da, Chandan da, and Amitosh da. Everybody over there was so damn in love with their portion of pork. Tung Nam though prepares an eight-course meal for around 10 people but ours was a sudden visit. There was no time order that and hence we opted for the general items available.
Our meal started with their iconic Steamed Pork Wonton or Yaam Wonton and within 5 minutes we decided to double the order for the obvious reason. The Wontons were soft as hell and filled with flavorful minced pork. The taste was somewhere near heaven and when we were in heaven Indrajit Da uttered just like Chabi Biswas "Next will be tok tok Jhal jhal sukno Pork! Oita Ano to!" ( Next will be spicy dry pork and -----).
We were shocked but not the person who was serving! We found 4 plates of nothing but Dry Chilli Garlic Pork came to the table! Like Really "tok tok Jhal jhal sukno Pork"! Who can deal with the typical emotional bong who lovingly given a "daak nam" to Garlic Pork! Perfectly cooked pork, just right amount of spices, the crunch and you are done! Believe me, one plate is just not enough. Since we were done with the appetizers we decided to order for the mains. However, just to indulge ourselves more we ordered for the Fried Scrimp Balls as well. The shrimp delicacies e were indeed worth having with a little addition of lemon Juice.
For Carbohydrate, we decided for the Pork Hamchoy Rice, Mixed Fried rice, and Mei-Foon to couple with the Pork in Hemei sauce and Chicken with Mushroom and Baby corn. The Pork Hamchoy Rice for me is the perfect treat with the light gravy prepared with pork chunks and some greens and rice. The Fried Rice and Pork fried Mei-Foon which is actually light and slim rice Noodles were equally good.
Coming to the sides, I was quite done after having the Pork in Hemei sauce. Okay, this was for the first time I was having this! I and was quite confused with exactly what the gravy was prepared! However, the taste was insanely good. I had a very little portion of the Chicken with Baby corn and another dish. I didn't taste the same and forgot the name as well. Here I must mention Cold Drinks were not available on that day. We had no other option but to be happy with the H2O!
It was almost a 7-course menu, and took us a good time to indulge our food. When a group of bongs seat together they discuss anything to everything that is not even important. However, somehow we realized we were more than full and need to went back to our respective work after completion of the pork loaded mid-week lunch. Almost clumsily everybody went back to work until next time from Tung Nam. Let me mention here, after having that amount of food we paid below 400 per person.
Coming to the suggestion, well I am not suggesting anything. Go, visit, indulge a few times Tung Nam delicacies and you will also able to discover your favorites!
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