Food festivals and Kolkata have known each other for ages it seems. It’s difficult to point out a region worth its cuisine on the world map which has not found its way into the city during some food festival. However, Pongal, a festival which has occasioned a host of lip smacking vegetarian delicacies is yet to get its due in the city. But The Malgudi Junction, has brought to the city, an interesting array of delicacies typical to the Pongal celebrations in south India.

“Since, Pongal is essentially a harvest festival, most of the delicacies are rice-based,” says Pankaj Poddar, owner of Malgudi Junction.

So, the Pongal spread include delicacies like Mint Biryani served with onion and tomato raita. The Biryani is prepared with generous helpings of pudina and coriander leaves. Apart from that, the Shakkar Pongal, draws your attention. “It’s a very traditional dish and is prepared with newly harvested rice and creamy milk,” says Poddar. Then you have the Venpongal (a Pongal made from rice and moong dal), the Vangi Bhaat (a brinjal Pulao), takkalsadam (tomato rice) and the Pulli sadam (tamarind rice).

For the more adventurous, the eatery has rustled up a ‘South Indian’ sizzler. “We have invented the sizzler to cater to this generation, who has probably got tired of the regular vegetarian sizzler. This is going to bring in a fresh new twist to vegetarian eating experience,” says Poddar.