Korean, Japanese, Mexican, Turkish: Demand surges for international cuisines at weddings in Kolkata

Food has always been one of the most important aspects of Bengali weddings. And now, according to city caterers, a variety of global cuisines are making their way into wedding menus, replacing traditional staples such as biryani, kosha mangsho or paturi. “People are increasingly opting for a blend of different cuisines – from Korean fried chicken and Mexican tacos to Burmese khao suey,” said Sudipta Karmakar, MD of a catering brand.
Korean, Japanese dishes in vogue
According to caterers, Japanese and Korean dishes are particularly in demand owing to the influence of K-dramas and anime.“Items like assorted sushi and Korean bibimbap are now in demand, alongside Turkish kebabs, Baklava, and Georgia’s favourite Kachapuri,” said Pritam Dutta, proprietor of another catering firm. To this, Vidisha Bathwal from another catering service added, “Wedding menus now also include Insta-worthy layered chocolate desserts, along with macarons and croissants.”
"Everyone wants their wedding to be the talk of the town. The desire to offer guests a diverse range of flavours all under one roof has led to a spike in demand for international cuisine"– Vidisha Bathwal

Healthy dishes in demand
People are growing more conscious of their food choices, and this is also reflecting in wedding menus. The rise of veganism has led to an increase in vegan food choices for guests. “We are often requested to prepare different kinds of healthy salads. Therefore, we are exploring different types of salads from diverse cuisines. Kimchi and Mexican salads are particularly popular on our menu,” said Pritam.
Caterers say demand is also high for dishes which are healthy and low in carbs
Trending dishes
Assorted sushi platter
Bibimbap
Korean fried chicken
Baklava
Turkish ice cream