Best Foods to Try at Eden Gardens During a Match Manisha, July 3, 2025 Eden Gardens in Kolkata, India, is one of the most famous cricket stadiums in the world, where fans cheer for teams like Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) or the Indian national team during World Cup matches. But watching cricket isn’t just about the game—it’s also about enjoying yummy food! If you’re a 10-year-old going to a match at Eden Gardens, you’ll find tons of delicious snacks and meals to make your day even more fun. This guide will tell you about the best foods to try at Eden Gardens during a match, written in a way that’s super easy to understand. Let’s explore the tasty treats waiting for you at this iconic stadium! Why Food at Eden Gardens Is Awesome Eden Gardens, with its 68,000 seats, is like a giant playground for cricket fans. The loud Kolkata crowd cheers for stars like Virat Kohli or KKR’s Andre Russell, and the food stalls add to the excitement. Kolkata is famous for its street food, like puchkas and kathi rolls, so you’ll find many local favorites at the stadium. Eating at Eden Gardens is like going to a food festival while watching cricket! Whether it’s a day-night IPL match or a Test match, these foods will make your experience unforgettable. Fun Fact: Kolkata loves food so much that even cricket matches feel like a big food party! For Kids: Imagine eating your favorite snacks while cheering for a six—it’s the best! Best Foods to Try at Eden Gardens Here’s a list of the top foods you should try at Eden Gardens during a cricket match. They’re tasty, easy to eat, and perfect for kids! 1. Puchkas (Pani Puri) What It Is: Puchkas are small, crispy balls (puri) filled with spicy mashed potatoes and dipped in tangy tamarind water. You pop the whole thing in your mouth, and it bursts with flavor! Why It’s Great: Puchkas are Kolkata’s most famous street food, and vendors at Eden Gardens serve them fresh. They’re quick to eat, so you won’t miss a big shot by Shreyas Iyer. The spicy and sour taste makes every bite exciting. Where to Find It: Look for stalls near the stands, especially in the B, E, or L blocks, where food carts are common. Price: About ₹30-50 for 6-8 puchkas. Fun Fact: Kolkata fans eat puchkas so fast during matches that vendors can barely keep up! For Kids: Think of puchkas as tiny flavor bombs that explode with yumminess in your mouth! 2. Kathi Rolls What It Is: Kathi rolls are soft flatbreads (paratha) wrapped around fillings like spicy chicken, paneer, or egg, with onions, sauce, and spices. Why It’s Great: These rolls are easy to hold while you cheer for KKR. They’re filling, so you stay energized for the whole match, whether it’s a T20 or a Test. Chicken kathi rolls are a fan favorite at Eden Gardens, and paneer rolls are great for kids who don’t eat meat. Where to Find It: Food stalls near the main gates or Club House end have the best kathi rolls. Some vendors even set up near the High Court end. Price: Around ₹80-150, depending on the filling. Fun Fact: Kathi rolls were invented in Kolkata, so eating them at Eden Gardens is like tasting a piece of the city’s history! For Kids: Imagine a yummy taco, but with Indian spices and wrapped in soft bread! 3. Vada Pav What It Is: Vada pav is a spicy potato patty (vada) fried in chickpea batter and served in a soft bun (pav) with chutney and green chilies. Why It’s Great: It’s like a mini burger, perfect for kids to eat while watching Rohit Sharma hit a six. Vada pav is a Mumbai favorite but super popular at Eden Gardens, too. It’s cheap and quick, so you can grab one between overs. Where to Find It: Check food counters in the lower tiers of E or F blocks, where vendors sell fresh vada pav. Price: About ₹40-70 each. Fun Fact: Fans at Eden Gardens call vada pav the “cricket snack” because it’s so easy to eat during matches! For Kids: Picture a tasty slider that’s crispy, spicy, and super fun to eat! 4. Mishti (Bengali Sweets) What It Is: Mishti includes sweets like rasgulla (soft cheese balls in syrup) and sandesh (sweet fudge made from milk). They’re sweet and not spicy, perfect for kids. Why It’s Great: Kolkata is famous for its sweets, and Eden Gardens has stalls selling fresh rasgulla and sandesh. They’re a great treat when you want something sweet during a long match, like a Test game. Rasgulla is squishy and fun to eat! Where to Find It: Look for dessert carts near the main food area or outside the stadium near the BBD Bagh entrance. Price: ₹20-50 per piece or small pack. Fun Fact: During the 2016 T20 World Cup final at Eden Gardens, fans ate so many rasgullas that vendors ran out! For Kids: Think of rasgulla as a bouncy, sweet ball that’s like candy but softer! 5. Chicken Biryani What It Is: Biryani is a spicy rice dish mixed with chicken, veggies, and fragrant spices like saffron. It often comes with raita (yogurt sauce). Why It’s Great: Biryani is a Kolkata favorite, and at Eden Gardens, it’s served in bowls or boxes, making it easy to eat in the stands. It’s a big meal, perfect for a long IPL match or when India plays a Test match. The spicy flavor makes every bite exciting. Where to Find It: Food stalls near the Club House or High Court end serve hot biryani, often with a small drink. Price: ₹150-250 per plate. Fun Fact: During the 2001 Eden Gardens Test, fans ate biryani while cheering VVS Laxman’s 281 For Kids: Imagine a bowl of colorful rice with chicken, like a treasure hunt for tasty bites! 6. Popcorn and Cold Drinks What It Is: Popcorn comes in flavors like cheese or masala, and cold drinks include cola, lemon soda, or mango juice. Why It’s Great: Popcorn is light and crunchy, perfect for munching while watching a close T20 match. Cold drinks keep you cool during hot day games at Eden Gardens. Kids love the cheesy popcorn and fizzy sodas! Where to Find It: Available at almost every food stall, especially near the E, F, or L blocks. Price: ₹50-100 for popcorn, ₹40-80 for drinks. Fun Fact: During KKR matches, popcorn stalls are so busy that they pop fresh batches every hour! For Kids: Picture eating popcorn like at the movies, but while cheering for a six! 7. Fish Fry What It Is: Fish fry is a Kolkata specialty—fresh fish coated in spices and breadcrumbs, fried until crispy, served with mustard sauce (kasundi). Why It’s Great: Kolkata loves fish, and Eden Gardens serves this crispy snack during matches. It’s a fun way to try something local, and the mustard sauce adds a zingy flavor kids enjoy. Where to Find It: Look for stalls near the main food court or outside near the Eden Gardens gate. Price: ₹80-150 per piece or plate. Fun Fact: Fish fry is so popular that fans order it during every KKR match to celebrate big moments! For Kids: Think of fish fry as crunchy chicken nuggets, but with a fishy twist and spicy sauce! 8. Ice Cream What It Is: Ice cream at Eden Gardens comes in cones or cups, with flavors like vanilla, chocolate, or mango kulfi (a creamy Indian ice cream). Why It’s Great: Ice cream is perfect for hot Kolkata days, especially during IPL matches in April. It’s a sweet treat that keeps you cool while you cheer for Sunil Narine’s wickets. Kulfi is extra fun because it’s creamy and sticks to a stick! Where to Find It: Ice cream carts are near the main stands or food court areas, especially in B or E blocks. Price: ₹30-100 per cone or cup. Fun Fact: During the 2011 World Cup preparations, ice cream sales at Eden Gardens went up because of the hot weather For Kids: Imagine eating a cold, creamy treat while watching a cricket match—it’s like a dessert party! Tips for Enjoying Food at Eden Gardens Here are some tips to make your food adventure at Eden Gardens awesome: Arrive Early: Get to the stadium early to grab food before the crowds. Gates open 2-3 hours before matches. Bring Cash: Some stalls may not take cards, so have small notes (₹50-200) ready. Check Rules: Outside food and water aren’t usually allowed, but Eden Gardens has plenty of food stalls inside. Try Local Foods: Kolkata’s puchkas, kathi rolls, and fish fry are special—don’t miss them! Stay Hydrated: Grab a cold drink or bottled water to stay cool, especially for day matches. Best Seats for Food Access: Blocks B, E, or L are close to food stalls, so you can grab snacks without missing much. Fun Fact: During the 2023 World Cup match between India and South Africa, food stalls sold out of puchkas because fans loved them so much For Kids: Think of the stadium as a big food court where you can eat and watch cricket at the same time! Why These Foods Make Matches Fun Eating at Eden Gardens makes cricket matches even better because: Local Flavors: Foods like puchkas and mishti let you taste Kolkata’s culture. Quick Snacks: Vada pav and popcorn are easy to eat, so you don’t miss big moments like a six by Rinku Singh. Sharing with Friends: Sharing biryani or puchkas with family makes cheering for KKR or India more fun. Energy for Cheering: Tasty meals like kathi rolls keep you full and ready to shout “KKR, KKR!” For Kids: Imagine eating your favorite snacks while watching superheroes like Virat Kohli hit the ball—it’s awesome! How Kids Can Enjoy Eden Gardens Food Ask a Parent: Go with a grown-up to pick foods like puchkas or ice cream from stalls. Watch Highlights: If you can’t go to Eden Gardens, watch KKR matches on Disney+ Hotstar and try making puchkas at home with a recipe! Learn Chants: Practice “KKR, KKR!” while eating snacks at home to feel like you’re at the stadium. Visit Kolkata: If you’re in Kolkata, ask to visit Eden Gardens for an IPL match in 2025 (like KKR vs. RCB on March 22) to try these foods Play Fantasy Cricket: Join free Dream11 leagues and pick players like Andre Russell while snacking, imagining you’re at Eden Gardens. Other Fun Things at Eden Gardens Besides food, Eden Gardens has cool stuff to make your match day great: Cricket Museum: Check out old cricket bats and photos, including Sachin Tendulkar’s records, on non-match days. Loud Crowd: Join fans chanting for KKR or India—it’s like a big party! Bell Ringing: Since 2016, a bell rings to start matches, like at Lord’s in England. Kapil Dev rang it first Nearby Sights: After the match, visit Victoria Memorial or Howrah Bridge, close to Eden Gardens. Fun Fact: Eden Gardens hosted the 2016 T20 World Cup final, and fans ate tons of kathi rolls while watching Carlos Brathwaite hit four sixes For Kids: Picture a stadium with yummy food, loud cheers, and a museum like a cricket treasure chest! Why Eden Gardens Food Is Special The food at Eden Gardens is special because: Kolkata’s Love for Food: The city’s street food culture, like puchkas and biryani, shines at the stadium. Match-Day Vibe: Eating while cheering for a six or wicket makes every bite more exciting. Variety: From spicy fish fry to sweet rasgulla, there’s something for every kid. History: Fans have been enjoying these foods since the stadium’s first match in 1934 For Kids: Think of Eden Gardens as a giant picnic where you eat cool snacks and watch cricket stars! Conclusion Eden Gardens in Kolkata is not just a cricket stadium—it’s a food paradise where you can enjoy tasty treats while watching matches! From crispy puchkas and spicy kathi rolls to sweet rasgullas and crunchy fish fry, the foods at Eden Gardens make every IPL or World Cup match super fun. With 68,000 fans cheering for KKR or India, you’ll love eating snacks like vada pav or popcorn while shouting for stars like Sunil Narine. Whether you’re grabbing biryani near the Club House or ice cream in the E block, these foods add to the magic of Eden Gardens. So, bring a parent, try Kolkata’s best snacks, and enjoy a match at this iconic stadium. Cheer loud, eat well, and make memories at Eden Gardens! Stadium Food and Culture