There’s a neighborhood in Kolkata that is home to several generations of Hakka Chinese immigrants. It’s called Tangra, and there you can find some of the best Indo-Chinese dishes out there: Gobhi Manchurian, Hakka noodles and shredded cabbage pakora, to name a few. There are just a few Indo-Chinese restaurants in the NYC metro region—a couple can be found in Murray Hill, and Calcutta Chinese is a New Jersey favorite.
Chitra Agrawal of Brooklyn Delhi and Diana Kuan of Plate and Pencil are bringing the spirit of the neighborhood to Brooklyn through their supper series Tangra Summer, a seven course vegetarian Indian-Chinese feast, hosted monthly in various locations. August’s dinner is happening at 61 Local in Cobble Hill, and the $75 ticket includes beer, wine and gratuity.
While their menu is inspired by Tangra, their fusion dishes are their own creations. When we spoke, they were testing sweet potato and coconut dumplings along with dill edamame rice. Sometimes they’ll add bok choi to a coconut yogurt curry or substitute thai basil for cilantro. “We like being guided by what’s in season,” Chitra explains. “This is a place for us to play around.”
The August 23 dinner, which starts at 7:00, will be their biggest production yet. Can’t make it? Here’s a consolation recipe for Brooklyn Delhi’s wonderful tomato achaar shakshuka and Diana Kuan’s spicy wok-fried chicken with chilis.
