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    Recipes » Recipes » Chicken Recipes

    Dak Bungalow Chicken Curry aka Chicken Dak Bungalow

    Published: Oct 19, 2018 · Modified: Feb 1, 2025 by Debjani · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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    A simple chicken curry, the "Dakbangla" caretakes used to cook is now a signature Bengali delicacy. Dak Bungalow Chicken Curry aka Chicken Dak Bungalow is a Bengali-style chicken curry cooked with basic spices along with egg and potato.

    %Dak Bungalow Chicken Curry recipe debjanir rannaghar
    Jump to:
    • Bengal Chicken Curry From the DakBungalow
    • What is DakBunglaa Chicken Curry? (Chicken Dak Bungalow Origin) 
    • Video Recipe of Dak Bungalow Chicken Curry!
    • Debjani's two cents on Dak Bungalow Chicken Curry aka Chicken Dak Bunglaa!
    • Here's how I cook Dak Bungalow Chicken Curry at Debjanir Rannaghar!
    • Recipe Card
    • Other Chicken dishes from Debjanir Rannaghar
    • Pairing
    • Have you tried the Dak-Bungalow Chicken Curry Recipe from Debjanir Rannaghar!

    Bengal Chicken Curry From the DakBungalow

    I was planning to write about Dak Bungalow Chicken Curry for a long; however, I was a bit confused with the available resources and details. Every single recipe available was claimed to be authentic! I never had this dish of chicken while growing up. In fact, I for the first time had Dak Bungalow Chicken Curry aka Chicken DakBungalow at Bhojohari Manna, the famous Bengali restaurant.

    I then decided to dig into the "Chicken Curry" for my own sake. I talked to one of the owners of Bhojohari Manna Mr. Siddhartha Bose a few months back. I didn't come up with the recipe even then (blame it on my lethargic nature). In the recent month (just before puja actually) for a video project, I finally decided to cook Dak Bungalow Chicken Curry. At this point, I contacted food historian, Ms. Pritha Sen.

    %Dak Bungalow Chicken Curry

    What is DakBunglaa Chicken Curry? (Chicken Dak Bungalow Origin) 

    I have decided to quote One restauranteur and one food historian instead of writing the details myself 😊😊. And why not especially when both of them have something interesting to share about "Dakbangla Murgi"!

    Here's Siddhartha Da's version!

    "When we were starting Bhojohori Manna way back in 2003, our team member Goutam Ghose, the famed film personality narrated the experience of people reaching the dakbangla's in some remote rural areas at what is considered late evenings in such zones and if asked what could be served. The Dakbangla caretaker would offer to go out into the darkness of the night to find a fowl for a paltry sum and make a curry out of it and serve it with steaming rice and a few green chilies. Absolutely mouthwatering stuff.

    We then got into exciting discussions on the subject..and then Goutam added...lets do this and add a whole chicken egg into it as well. That would define value for money for the customers. That's how Chicken and Mutton Dakbangla evolved at Bhojohori Manna. Today we find many experts writing about the origin,recipe and a whole lot of other things on the subject. For us it happened through an evening session of excitement over food. We also find all categories of restaurants and hotels naming any kind of curry as Dakbangla!"

    He also mentioned; "We never linked it with any authenticity

    %Dak Bangla Chicken Recipe

    Pritha Di's version is also in similar lines.

    Dak Bungalow Chicken Curry aka Chicken Dak Bunglaa is a simple chicken curry the Dakbangla caretakers used to cook. You must understand what for the dak bungalow meant for. During the British period the rest houses in the "dak" route were referred as dakbangla or dak bungalow. This curry has never been about elaborate cooking or exotic spices back then. Instead, it was cooked with the basic spices available at the remote points. They used to add Potato, but Egg was a later inclusion. Basically, it is a wholesome chicken curry prepared with basic and easily & available spices."

    Video Recipe of Dak Bungalow Chicken Curry!

    Debjani's two cents on Dak Bungalow Chicken Curry aka Chicken Dak Bunglaa!

    Let me start with the definition of Dak Bungalow. These are nothing but Government-owned rest houses located in remote areas. Dak means Post. These houses were initially developed to make the process of postal service easy and to give lodging and food to the officials traveling for work. The houses had basic rations to cater to the need for food and a few personnel such as a gatekeeper and a Khansama (cook). They used to cook with the limited resources available and also at times with no prior intimation about the guest coming.

    Hence, no marination; no fancy spices; use of locally available ingredients and to come up with a wholesome dish. This is how Dak Bungalow Chicken came into existence.

    %Dak Bangla Chicken Recipe

    Keeping in mind the information I ended up cooking the Dak Bungalow Chicken. I did not use a paste of onion; instead, I used roughly chopped onion. I thought have used a paste of Ginger and Garlic along with a few basic spices. Also, I have used Cumin, Coriander, and Garam Masala.

    I wasn't sure whether curd was part of this curry then; however, I have used it. Last but not least, I have used both Potato and Egg along with Chicken. Rest is nothing but slow cooking.

    %Dak Bangla Chicken Recipe

    For me, Dak Bungalow Chicken Curry is a Bengali-style chicken curry cooked with basic spices along with egg and potato.

    Here I must mention, I don't believe in authentic "this" and authentic "that" when it comes to food. Hence, This recipe is not an authentic one but a practical one that matches the details available.

    Here's how I cook Dak Bungalow Chicken Curry at Debjanir Rannaghar!

    Recipe Card

    %Dak Bungalow Chicken Curry recipe debjanir rannaghar
    Print Pin

    Dak Bungalow Chicken Curry aka Chicken Dak Bungalow

    A simple chicken curry, the "Dakbangla" caretakes used to cook is now a signature Bengali delicacy. Dak Bungalow Chicken Curry aka Chicken Dak Bungalow is a Bengali style chicken curry cooked with basic spices along with egg and potato.

    Course Chicken
    Cuisine Bengali
    Keyword Bengali murgir Jhol, Dak Bungalow Chicken Curry, Dak Bungalow Murgi, Debjanir Rannaghar
    Prep Time 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 30 minutes minutes
    Total Time 40 minutes minutes
    Servings 6 People
    Calories 560kcal
    Author Debjani Chatterjee Alam
    Cost Rs 250

    Ingredients

    • 1 Kg. Chicken
    • 4 Potato
    • 4 Green Chilies
    • 6 Egg
    • 3 Onion
    • 1 Tbsp. Ginger Paste
    • 1 Tbsp. Garlic Paste

    Marination:

    • 100 g Curd
    • 1 Tsp. Turmeric Powder
    • 1 Tsp. Cumin Powder
    • 1 Tsp. Coriander Powder
    • 1 Tsp. Chilli Powder
    • 1 Tsp. Sugar
    • 2 Tbsp. Mustard Oil

    Tempering:

    • 2 Bay leaf
    • 1 inch Cinnamon stick
    • 3 Cardamom
    • 2 Red Chilies

    Spices:

    • ½ Tsp. Turmeric Powder
    • ½ Tsp. Cumin Powder
    • ½ Tsp. Coriander Powder
    • ½ Tsp. Chilli Powder
    • ½ Tsp. Sugar
    • 1 Tsp. Salt or to taste
    • 4 Tbsp. Mustard Oil
    Get Recipe Ingredients

    Instructions

    • Wash Chicken chunks and marinate with Curd, ½ Tsp. of the Turmeric Powder, Cumin Powder Coriander Powder, Chilli Powder, Sugar, Salt and also Mustard Oil.
    • Chop Onion roughly and also peel the skin of the potatoes. Cut those into halves.
    • Hard Boil Eggs before adding to the curry.
    • Now heat Oil in a pan.
    • Sprinkle some turmeric powder coupled with salt over the boiled eggs and potatoes.
    • Fry Eggs for a few minutes.
    • In the same fashion Fry potatoes as well.
    • Temper remaining oil with Bay leaf, Cinnamon stick, Cardamom and also Red Chili.
    • Add chopped onion and fry till those turn golden brown in color.
    • Now add ginger and garlic paste and cook till the raw aroma goes out.
    • Now add Turmeric Powder, Cumin Powder, Coriander Powder, Chilli Powder, Sugar and also Salt and mix properly.
    • Add chopped green chilies too.
    • Furthermore; reduce the flame and stir vigorously.
    • Now add marinated chicken chunks and cook over low flame for 5-7 minutes.
    • Add fried Potatoes and cook for 3-4 minutes.
    • Cover the pan with a lid and cook over low flame for 5 minutes.
    • Open the lid and add two cups of boiling water.
    • Add Fried boiled Eggs.
    • Cover the pan and cook till Chicken and potatoes cooked properly.
    • Switch the flame off and serve the curry hot with steamed rice.

    Video

    Notes

    • The more you marinate the chicken, the more will be the flavor. However, I marinated the chicken for hardly 30 minutes considering back then in the Dak Bungalows they would not have marinated the chicken for long or they may have when they had time! Who knows?
    • You may reduce or increase the spices based on your preference.
    • Also, you can replace Mustard oil with vegetable oil however that will not give the distinct pungent aroma of Mustard oil to the dish.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 200g | Calories: 560kcal | Carbohydrates: 31.1g | Protein: 58.1g | Fat: 21.7g | Saturated Fat: 4.4g | Cholesterol: 293mg | Sodium: 637mg | Fiber: 4.5g | Sugar: 6.3g

    Other Chicken dishes from Debjanir Rannaghar

    • Chicken Keema Paratha (also known as Chicken paratha)
    • Chicken Chaap (also known as Chaap Bhaja)
    • Aam Kasundi Murgi (also known as Bengali Style Chicken in Mango Mustard Sauce)
    • Chicken Kosha (also known as Bengali Kosha Murgir Mangsho)
    • Pish-Pash aka Pish Pash,
    • Doi Murgi | also known as Kolkata style Doi Chicken
    • Murgi Khichuri (also known as Chicken Khichuri)
    • Panch Phoron Murgi (also known as Bengali Chicken Curry with Panch Phoron)
    • Bangladeshi Chicken Roast | also known as Biyebarir Chicken Roast
    • Robibarer Murgir Jhol (also known as Bengali light chicken curry)
    • Desi Murgir Dum (also known as Bengali Country Chicken Curry)

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    Have you tried the Dak-Bungalow Chicken Curry Recipe from Debjanir Rannaghar!

    Do let me know how it came out. Also, I would love to see a picture of the same which you can share here on dolonchttrj@gmail.com. Meanwhile, on Instagram, you can use my hashtag #debjanirrannaghar and in addition, you can tag me at @foodofdebjani.

    You can follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram for updates and recipes from Debjanir Rannaghar.

    %Dak Bungalow chicken curry recipe pinterest food pin
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    About Debjani Chatterjee Alam

    I am Debjani Chatterjee Alam. A CSR specialist by profession and a food writer, food blogger, and food photographer as well. I live in Kolkata along with my Husband Mehebub who is an architect by profession, my daughter Pasta, and also my dog daughters Coffee and Luchi.

    Learn more about me →

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    About Debjani

    I'm a Corporate Social Responsibility Specialist with a keen interest in ESG, but my passion lies in food: writing about it, creating recipes, and capturing its beauty through photography! Debjanir Rannaghat began in 2009 as a space for me to share my food adventures, my experiences as a mom, and the dishes I adore cooking and eating, both at home and when exploring new places. My aim is to create recipes that are easy to understand and follow, so anyone, whether they love to cook or simply need to, can succeed. I apply the same straightforward approach to my reviews and stories. I also have a passion for food photography and strive to showcase delicious meals in a beautiful, practical, and accessible manner. Feel free to contact me at dolonchttrj@gmail.com.

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    Meet Debjani

    About Debjani Chatterjee Alam

    I am Debjani Chatterjee Alam. A CSR specialist by profession and a food writer, food blogger, and food photographer as well. I live in Kolkata along with my Husband Mehebub who is an architect by profession, my daughter Pasta, and also my dog daughters Coffee and Luchi.

    Learn more about me →

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