North 24 Parganas, West Bengal

Bongaon Fresh Fish (Bongaon Fish Market Catch)

Fresh and river fish sold at Bongaon New Market, the fish hub for eastern Kolkata's suburbs and one of Bengal's best-known fish markets. Bongaon sits at the confluence of the Hooghly and Bongaon rivers, so the market takes in estuary and delta catches ranging from ilish (hilsa) and catla to anchovies and prawns, and its traders have long supplied Kolkata households and restaurants. The market runs from dawn, with the first lot of the catch arriving before sunrise. A buyer gets the same-day delta catch at wholesale prices, which is why Kolkata fish buyers still travel to Bongaon.

Typical price: ₹100-1500

Buying tip: Visit Bongaon New Market before 8 am for the first lot of the catch; choose fish with bright eyes and firm flesh and ask for the day's river catch.