about

It all starts with the perfect cup

Our parents left Kolkata in 1987...

And landed in Massachusetts to fulfill the American dream. Growing up as first-generation Indian Americans β€” our concept of home was ever-shifting. In 90’s America, we listened to hip hop, ate pizza and begged our parents for a pair of Vans sneakers. Every other summer or winter, we’d spend a couple of months in Kolkata. An earth-shattering contrast, there, we would jump in monsoon puddles, eat mangsho-jhol, play cricket in the streets and drink chai everyday.

Kolkata Chai started with a simple idea: How do we extend the authenticity, respect and tradition behind a cup of masala chai to NYC?

Food was always better on the streets than it was inside the house. The street wallahs possessed almost magical skills β€” we claimed they had special sauces and spices that they told no one about. There was a lore to street food. It was democratizing, generational and spoke to all socio-economic levels. We went to the same spots where our mother used to get bhel puri during her college times β€” where the chef’s father used to serve our grandfather.

Kolkata Chai started with a simple idea: How do we extend the authenticity, respect and tradition behind a cup of masala chai to NYC?

We hope to see you along this journey.

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Bio picture
Founder Bio
Ayan Sanyal

My Favorite album of all time

Paul Simon - Graceland

My Top 3 food spots in NYC

Superiority Burger

Minca

Ayada

My Superpower

Never taking life too seriously

Bio picture
Founder Bio
Ani Sanyal

My Favorite album of all time

Jay Z - Reasonable Doubt

My Top 3 food spots in NYC

Nougatine
Uncle Boon's Sister
Trinciti Roti Shop

My Superpower

Patience with a sense of urgency

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Pronounced
koal β€’ kuh β€’ taa
(emphasis on the "koal")