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{{Short description|Street-food dish originating from muthi, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2018}}
{{more citations needed|date=February 2013}}
{{more citations needed|date=February 2013}}
{{Infobox food
{{Infobox food
| name             = Kati roll
| name = Kathi roll  
| native          = কাটি রোল  
<!--| native          = কাটি রোল -->| image = Kolkata Rolls.jpg
| image           = Kolkata Rolls.jpg
| image_size = 225px
| image_size       = 225px
| caption = Kati roll served in [[Kolkata]], India
| caption         = Kati roll served in [[Kolkata]], India.
| alternate_name = Kathi roll
| alternate_name   = Kathi roll
| national_cuisine = [[Bengali cuisine|Bengali]], [[Indian cuisine|Indian]]
| national_cuisine = [[Bengali cuisine|Bengali]]
| country = [[India]]
| country         = [[India]]
| region = [[Kolkata]], [[West Bengal]]
| region           = [[Kolkata]], [[West Bengal]]
| creator =  
| creator         =  
| course =  
| course           =  
| type = [[Bread roll|Roll]]
| type             = [[Bread roll|Roll]]
| main_ingredient = Mutton (lamb) pieces, bread, egg (omlette)
| main_ingredient = Mutton (lamb) pieces, bread
| served =  
| served           =  
| variations = Many, depending on ingredients
| variations       = Many, depending on ingredients
| calories =  
| calories         =  
| other =  
| other           =  
}}
}}


A '''kati roll''' (sometimes spelt '''kathi roll'''; {{lang-bn|কাঠি রোল}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.shabdkosh.com/bn/translate?e=kathi&l=bn|title=kathi - Meaning in Bengali - kathi in Bengali - Shabdkosh {{!}} অভিধান : English Bengali Dictionary and Translation|last=Shabdkosh.com|website=www.shabdkosh.com|access-date=2016-05-01}}</ref>) is a street-food dish originating from [[Kolkata]], [[West Bengal]]. In its original form, it is a [[skewer]]-roasted [[kebab]] [[wrap (sandwich)|wrap]]ped in a [[paratha]] bread, although over the years many variants have evolved all of which now go under the generic name of ''kati roll''. Today, mostly any wrap containing a filling enfolded in an Indian flatbread ([[roti]]) is called a ''kati roll''. In native Bengali, the word Kati roughly translates to "Stick", referring to how they were originally made. In Bengal though, the delicacy is simply known as "roll". Kati Rolls normally contain coriander chutney, egg, and chicken but the types may vary. Internationally, specifically in parts of Canada and the United States, kathi roll has become popular [[fast food]] found in Indian take-out restaurants.
A '''kati roll''' (sometimes spelt '''kathi roll'''; {{langx|bn|কাঠি রোল}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.shabdkosh.com/bn/translate?e=kathi&l=bn|title=kathi - Meaning in Bengali - kathi in Bengali - Shabdkosh {{!}} অভিধান : English Bengali Dictionary and Translation|last=Shabdkosh.com|website=www.shabdkosh.com|access-date=2016-05-01}}{{Dead link|date=March 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>) is a street-food dish originating from [[Kolkata]], [[West Bengal]], India.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Banerji |first1=Urvija |title=The Kati Roll Can Be Traced Back to One Kolkata Restaurant |url=https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/the-kati-roll-can-be-traced-back-to-one-kolkata-restaurant |access-date=21 July 2024 |date=3 May 2016}}</ref> In its original form, it is a [[skewer]]-roasted [[kebab]] [[wrap (sandwich)|wrap]]ped in a [[paratha]] bread, although over the years many variants have evolved all of which now go under the generic name of ''kati roll''. Today, mostly any wrap containing a filling enfolded in an Indian flatbread ([[roti]]) is called a ''kati roll''. In native Bengali, the word {{Transliteration|bn|kati}} roughly translates to 'stick', referring to how they were originally made. In Bengal though, the delicacy is simply known as ''roll''. Kati rolls normally contain coriander chutney, egg, and chicken but the types may vary.


==History==
==History==
The ''kati roll'' is said to have started its life in the Nizam Restaurant in [[Kolkata]], a popular eatery founded in 1932. There are many stories about how exactly the roll got started. Some suggest that hurried office commuters wanted something quick and portable to eat, some mention British [[Babu (title)|babus]] who were too fastidious to touch the kabab. The most likely origin is probably more mundane, but in any case someone decided to roll things up at some point. Nizam enjoyed a virtual monopoly over this method of serving kababs for decades, but it eventually became commonplace in Kolkata and later spread elsewhere.
The kati roll is said to have started its life in the Nizam Restaurant in [[Kolkata]], a popular [[Mughlai cuisine|Mughlai]] eatery founded in 1932 by one Raza Hassan Saheb.<ref name="theculturetrip"/><ref name="Moneycontrol"/> There are many stories about how exactly the roll got started.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sanghvi |first1=Vir |author1-link=Vir Sanghvi |title=Rude Food by Vir Sanghvi: Roll redemption |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/brunch/rude-food-by-vir-sanghvi-roll-redemption/story-WLkxCkUTD0BSDcINWNAALI.html |access-date=22 October 2022 |work=[[Hindustan Times]] |date=12 July 2020 |language=en}}</ref> Some suggest that hurried office commuters wanted something quick and portable to eat; some mention British [[Babu (title)|babus]] who were too fastidious to make kabab.<ref name="itinari">{{cite news |last1=Majumder |first1=Hitaishi |title=Nizam's Restaurant: the story of the Kolkata kathi roll |url=https://www.itinari.com/nizam-s-restaurant-the-story-of-the-kolkata-kathi-roll-bgaw |access-date=22 October 2022 |work=itinari |date=1 October 2019 |language=en}}</ref> The most likely origin is probably more mundane, but in any case someone decided to roll things up at some point. Nizam enjoyed a virtual monopoly over this method of serving kababs for decades, but it eventually became commonplace in Kolkata and later spread elsewhere.<ref name="theculturetrip">{{cite news |last1=Nambiar |first1=Sridevi |title=How The Famous Kathi Roll Originated At Kolkata's Nizam's Restaurant |url=https://theculturetrip.com/asia/india/articles/how-the-famous-kathi-roll-originated-at-kolkatas-nizams-restaurant/ |access-date=22 October 2022 |work=Culture Trip |date=3 January 2018}}</ref>


[[File:Kathiroll.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Kati roll served in [[Mumbai]], India.]]
[[File:Kathiroll.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Kati roll served in [[Mumbai]], India]]
The ''kati'' part of the name came later. Like everyone else in India, Nizam's used iron skewers to make their kababs; they were easy to maintain and lasted a lifetime. However, as Nizam's popularity grew, these long heavy iron skewers became problematic; as far more was required than could be handled. In 1964, Nizam moved to bamboo skewers that were lightweight and available in large numbers. These skewers are referred to in [[Bengali language|Bengali]] as ''kati'' or stick, and the names ''kati kabab'' and ''kati roll'' soon stuck. The name eventually became synonymous with any kind of paratha rolled with stuffing (even when neither ''kati'' nor ''kabab'' was involved) such as the egg roll or the potato roll, and later even for other breads such as [[naan]] or [[Rumali roti|roomali]].
The ''kati'' part of the name came later. Like everyone else in India, Nizam used iron skewers to make their kababs; they were easy to maintain and lasted a lifetime. However, as Nizam popularity grew, these long heavy iron skewers became problematic, as far many more were required than could be handled.{{Clarify|date=December 2022}} In 1964, Nizam moved to bamboo skewers that were lightweight and available in large numbers. These skewers are referred to in [[Bengali language|Bengali]] as {{Transliteration|bn|kati}} or 'stick', and the names ''kati kabab'' and ''kati roll'' soon stuck. The name eventually became synonymous with any kind of paratha rolled with stuffing (even when neither ''kati'' nor ''kabab'' was involved) such as the egg roll or the potato roll, and later even for other breads such as [[naan]] or [[Rumali roti|rumali]].<ref name="Moneycontrol">{{cite news |last1=Mukherjee |first1=Kamalika |title=Kolkata-style kathi roll: The origin story, competition, and present-day avatar |url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/trends/lifestyle-trends/kolkata-style-kathi-roll-the-origin-story-competition-and-present-day-avatar-8874361.html |access-date=22 October 2022 |work=[[Moneycontrol]] |date=July 25, 2022 |language=en}}</ref>


In [[West Bengal]], shops serving rolls are mostly known as ‘Roll-er-dokaan’ and people use ‘roll’ to refer to a kati roll. Chicken roll and egg roll are two of the most common variants of ''kati roll''.
In [[West Bengal]], shops serving rolls are mostly known as ''Roll-er-dokaan'' and people use ''roll'' to refer to a kati roll. Chicken roll and egg roll are two of the most common variants of kati roll.


==Description==
==Description==
Traditionally, a kati roll is a ''kati'' [[kebab]] wrapped in a layered [[paratha]] bread. Paratha is dough that is kneaded into a rope, then coiled into a round patty. It is then flattened with a rolling pin and partially fried in oil on a [[Tava|tawa]] (griddle). These semi-cooked parathas are then kept aside until needed, at which time they're put back on the tawa and cooked through. If an egg is to be added, it is usually cracked into the tawa and the paratha put on top of the egg; they both cook together and the paratha gets coated on one side with the egg.
Traditionally, a kati roll is a ''kati'' [[kebab]] wrapped in a layered [[paratha]] bread. Paratha is dough that is kneaded into a rope, then coiled into a round patty. It is then flattened with a rolling pin and partially fried in oil on a [[Tava|tawa]] (griddle). These semi-cooked parathas are then kept aside until needed, at which time they're put back on the tawa and cooked through. If an egg is to be added, it is usually cracked into the tawa and the paratha put on top of the egg; they both cook together and the paratha gets coated on one side with the egg.


Kati kababs were originally beef, and now have variations with chicken or mutton (lamb) chunks, marinated in spices and cooked on skewers (the "kati") over coals in a [[Sigri (stove)|sigri]]. When the roll is being prepared, these are taken off the skewers and tossed with onions, chillies and sauces on the tawa, before being laid in a thin strip on the centre of the paratha (egg side up, when applicable). At this stage, most roll vendors will add various kinds of sauces, a dash of vinegar, a squeeze of lime, sometimes a shake of [[chaat masala]] and maybe some julienned carrots. The whole thing is then rolled up (originally in old newspaper, but now clean paper is generally used). In Kolkata, the paper usually covers only half the roll; elsewhere the paper will cover more or even all of the roll.
Kati kababs were originally beef, and now have variations with chicken or mutton (lamb) chunks, marinated in spices and cooked on skewers (the ''kati'') over coals in a [[Sigri (stove)|sigri]]. When the roll is being prepared, these are taken off the skewers and tossed with onions, chillies and sauces on the tawa, before being laid in a thin strip on the centre of the paratha (egg side up, when applicable). At this stage, most roll vendors will add various kinds of sauces, a dash of vinegar, a squeeze of lime, sometimes a shake of [[chaat masala]] and maybe some julienned carrots. The whole thing is then rolled up (originally in old newspaper, but now clean paper is generally used). In Kolkata, the paper usually covers only half the roll; elsewhere the paper will cover more or even all of the roll.


==Variants==
==Variants==
Variants on the filling include egg, potato, [[paneer]], mixed vegetables, and curried chicken or mutton. Other variants may have different ingredient combinations, or curries such as Thai or [[Szechuan cuisine|Sichuan]]. In August 2012, U.S.-based fast food chain [[Taco Bell]] released a version of the kati roll in India. The "Mexican-inspired burrito" is a combination of a kati roll and a Kathitto.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Taco Bell India Facebook Page|title=Introducing Kathitto: Something Different to|url=http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/547917_10151150910679813_1224265371_n.jpg|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130221142527/http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/547917_10151150910679813_1224265371_n.jpg|url-status=dead|archive-date=21 February 2013|access-date=5 November 2012}}</ref>
Variants on the filling include egg, potato, [[paneer]], mixed vegetables, and curried chicken or mutton. Other variants may have different ingredient combinations, or curries such as Thai or [[Szechuan cuisine|Sichuan]]. In August 2012, U.S.-based fast food chain [[Taco Bell]] released a version of the kati roll in India. The "Mexican-inspired burrito" is a combination of a kati roll and a Kathitto.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Taco Bell India Facebook Page|title=Introducing Kathitto: Something Different to|url=http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/547917_10151150910679813_1224265371_n.jpg|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130221142527/http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/547917_10151150910679813_1224265371_n.jpg|url-status=dead|archive-date=21 February 2013|access-date=5 November 2012}}</ref>


==In the United States==
== Similar dishes ==
Kati rolls have been seen on the menus of Indian restaurants across the United States.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=EventCombo|title=Kati Roll Craze Sweeps Through the US|url=http://www.eventcombo.com/article/kati-roll-craze-sweeps-518|date=20 December 2010|access-date=6 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150706192300/http://www.eventcombo.com/article/kati-roll-craze-sweeps-518|archive-date=6 July 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Kati Roll Company, founded by Payal Saha and located in New York City, is the first restaurant in the U.S. to specialize in kati rolls.<ref>{{cite web |work=YFS Magazine |url=http://yfsmagazine.com/2012/07/04/how-entrepreneur-payal-saha-launched-a-successful-indian-fast-food-company|title=How Entrepreneur Payal Saha Launched a Successful Indian Fast Food Company|date= 4 July 2012}}</ref> In summer 2014, a [[Seattle]] ([[Washington (state)|Wash.]]) entrepreneur started an [[Indian cuisine]]–based food truck business, Roll OK Please, which sells kati rolls and other Indian street foods in the Seattle, Bellevue, and Redmond areas.<ref>{{cite web|work=Seattle Globalist |url=http://www.seattleglobalist.com/2014/08/14/roll-ok-please-indian-food-truck/28447 |title=Fledgling food truck rolls out authentic Indian street cuisine|date= 14 August 2014}}</ref>
 
* [[Paratha roll]], a similar dish from Karachi


==See also==
==See also==
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{{Street food}}
{{Street food}}
{{Indian Dishes}}
{{Indian Dishes}}
{{Cuisine of India}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Kati Roll}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kati Roll}}
[[Category:Paratha]]
[[Category:Culture of Kolkata]]
[[Category:Culture of Kolkata]]
[[Category:Indian cuisine]]
[[Category:Indian fast food]]
[[Category:Indian fast food]]
[[Category:Appetizers]]
[[Category:Hors d'oeuvres]]
[[Category:Street food]]
[[Category:Street food]]
[[Category:Sandwiches]]
[[Category:Indian sandwiches]]
[[Category:Bengali cuisine]]

Latest revision as of 10:36, 11 March 2026


Kathi roll
Kati roll served in Kolkata, India
Alternative namesKathi roll
TypeRoll
Place of originIndia
Region or stateKolkata, West Bengal
Associated national cuisineBengali, Indian
Main ingredientsMutton (lamb) pieces, bread, egg (omlette)
VariationsMany, depending on ingredients

A kati roll (sometimes spelt kathi roll; Script error: The function "langx" does not exist.[1]) is a street-food dish originating from Kolkata, West Bengal, India.[2] In its original form, it is a skewer-roasted kebab wrapped in a paratha bread, although over the years many variants have evolved all of which now go under the generic name of kati roll. Today, mostly any wrap containing a filling enfolded in an Indian flatbread (roti) is called a kati roll. In native Bengali, the word kati roughly translates to 'stick', referring to how they were originally made. In Bengal though, the delicacy is simply known as roll. Kati rolls normally contain coriander chutney, egg, and chicken but the types may vary.

History[edit | edit source]

The kati roll is said to have started its life in the Nizam Restaurant in Kolkata, a popular Mughlai eatery founded in 1932 by one Raza Hassan Saheb.[3][4] There are many stories about how exactly the roll got started.[5] Some suggest that hurried office commuters wanted something quick and portable to eat; some mention British babus who were too fastidious to make kabab.[6] The most likely origin is probably more mundane, but in any case someone decided to roll things up at some point. Nizam enjoyed a virtual monopoly over this method of serving kababs for decades, but it eventually became commonplace in Kolkata and later spread elsewhere.[3]

Kati roll served in Mumbai, India

The kati part of the name came later. Like everyone else in India, Nizam used iron skewers to make their kababs; they were easy to maintain and lasted a lifetime. However, as Nizam popularity grew, these long heavy iron skewers became problematic, as far many more were required than could be handled.[clarification needed] In 1964, Nizam moved to bamboo skewers that were lightweight and available in large numbers. These skewers are referred to in Bengali as kati or 'stick', and the names kati kabab and kati roll soon stuck. The name eventually became synonymous with any kind of paratha rolled with stuffing (even when neither kati nor kabab was involved) such as the egg roll or the potato roll, and later even for other breads such as naan or rumali.[4]

In West Bengal, shops serving rolls are mostly known as Roll-er-dokaan and people use roll to refer to a kati roll. Chicken roll and egg roll are two of the most common variants of kati roll.

Description[edit | edit source]

Traditionally, a kati roll is a kati kebab wrapped in a layered paratha bread. Paratha is dough that is kneaded into a rope, then coiled into a round patty. It is then flattened with a rolling pin and partially fried in oil on a tawa (griddle). These semi-cooked parathas are then kept aside until needed, at which time they're put back on the tawa and cooked through. If an egg is to be added, it is usually cracked into the tawa and the paratha put on top of the egg; they both cook together and the paratha gets coated on one side with the egg.

Kati kababs were originally beef, and now have variations with chicken or mutton (lamb) chunks, marinated in spices and cooked on skewers (the kati) over coals in a sigri. When the roll is being prepared, these are taken off the skewers and tossed with onions, chillies and sauces on the tawa, before being laid in a thin strip on the centre of the paratha (egg side up, when applicable). At this stage, most roll vendors will add various kinds of sauces, a dash of vinegar, a squeeze of lime, sometimes a shake of chaat masala and maybe some julienned carrots. The whole thing is then rolled up (originally in old newspaper, but now clean paper is generally used). In Kolkata, the paper usually covers only half the roll; elsewhere the paper will cover more or even all of the roll.

Variants[edit | edit source]

Variants on the filling include egg, potato, paneer, mixed vegetables, and curried chicken or mutton. Other variants may have different ingredient combinations, or curries such as Thai or Sichuan. In August 2012, U.S.-based fast food chain Taco Bell released a version of the kati roll in India. The "Mexican-inspired burrito" is a combination of a kati roll and a Kathitto.[7]

Similar dishes[edit | edit source]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Shabdkosh.com. "kathi - Meaning in Bengali - kathi in Bengali - Shabdkosh | অভিধান : English Bengali Dictionary and Translation". www.shabdkosh.com. Retrieved 1 May 2016.[permanent dead link]
  2. ↑ Banerji, Urvija (3 May 2016). "The Kati Roll Can Be Traced Back to One Kolkata Restaurant". Retrieved 21 July 2024.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Nambiar, Sridevi (3 January 2018). "How The Famous Kathi Roll Originated At Kolkata's Nizam's Restaurant". Culture Trip. Retrieved 22 October 2022.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Mukherjee, Kamalika (25 July 2022). "Kolkata-style kathi roll: The origin story, competition, and present-day avatar". Moneycontrol. Retrieved 22 October 2022.
  5. ↑ Sanghvi, Vir (12 July 2020). "Rude Food by Vir Sanghvi: Roll redemption". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 22 October 2022.
  6. ↑ Majumder, Hitaishi (1 October 2019). "Nizam's Restaurant: the story of the Kolkata kathi roll". itinari. Retrieved 22 October 2022.
  7. ↑ "Introducing Kathitto: Something Different to". Taco Bell India Facebook Page. Retrieved 5 November 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)

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