In a surprising yet celebratory announcement, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India has officially named Kolkata as the nation’s Most Vegan-Friendly City for 2025. The award, presented to Mayor Firhad Hakim during World Vegan Month (November), recognizes the city's rapidly expanding vegan food scene, sustainable fashion, and growing community consciousness.
While the city is widely celebrated for its machher jhol (fish curry) and non-vegetarian delicacies, PETA India noted that Kolkata is, in fact, an "unexpectedly delightful destination for vegans and the vegan-curious."
Why Kolkata Topped the List
PETA India cited a combination of traditional culinary heritage, modern entrepreneurial spirit, and ethical fashion choices as the key reasons for Kolkata's top spot:
1. Abundance of Naturally Vegan Bengali Cuisine
The biggest factor is the inherent plant-powered nature of many classic Bengali dishes. Many vegetarian Bengali meals are accidentally vegan, requiring only a simple substitution (like oil instead of ghee). Staple dishes that contributed to the win include:
- Street Food Heroes: Phuchka (the local version of pani puri), ghugni (curried dried yellow peas), jhalmuri, and alu chop.
- Home-Style Comfort: Aloo Posto (potatoes with poppy seeds), chholar dal (split Bengal gram), tomato khejur chutney, and simple vegetable torkari (curries).
2. Booming Vegan Eateries and Innovation
Kolkata's modern food scene is quickly adapting to plant-based trends. The city boasts a growing network of specialized cafes and restaurants:
- Establishments like Aldo Café, Glenburn Café, and Sienna Store and Café now offer plant-based lattes and meals with vegan milk options.
- Specialty outlets like The Daily serve vegan cake and ice cream.
- Vegan World, Eastern India's first vegan food distribution firm, and online retailers offering mock meat and vegan mock seafood ensure that beloved Bengali flavors like macher jhol can be recreated compassionately.
3. Ethical Fashion and Community Growth
Beyond food, the city's commitment to cruelty-free living is visible in its fashion sector:
- Local brands like Eori are crafting high-quality, sustainable, and affordable plant-based leather products.
- The city also hosted an animal-awareness themed Durga Puja display by PETA India earlier this year, promoting compassion.
- The active 'Kolkata Vegans' Facebook community supports the movement by organizing potlucks and sharing tips, fostering collective consciousness.
The Surprise Factor
The award comes as a pleasant surprise to many, given the cultural centrality of fish and meat in traditional Bengali celebrations and daily life. However, as Dr. Kiran Ahuja, PETA India's Senior Manager for Vegan and Corporate Projects, noted, Kolkata is setting a "shining example" by demonstrating that a rich culinary culture can seamlessly blend tradition with ethical, kind, and cleaner food choices.
