🍽️ Delicious Dishes to Try at the Hilsa Fish Festival Sundarban
The Hilsa fish, or Ilish, is not just a delicacy in Bengal — it’s an emotion. When monsoon clouds gather over the delta, and the rivers swell with the season’s bounty, Bengalis across the world eagerly await their first bite of Hilsa. Now imagine this legendary fish served in over 30 delicious forms, amidst mangrove forests, river cruises, and cultural celebrations. That is exactly what you get at the Hilsa fish festival Sundarban, one of the most awaited gastronomic festivals in India.
Hosted every year by Sonakshi Travels, the Sundarban Hilsa Festival is more than just a food event — it’s a vibrant experience combining cuisine, nature, culture, and heritage. This article explores the mouth-watering dishes you must try during the festival, along with helpful travel insights to plan your flavorful journey into Bengal’s heart.
🐟 The Star of the Festival – Hilsa in All Its Glory
At the heart of the Sundarban Hilsa Festival 2025 lies the majestic Hilsa, revered across Bengal for its silvery sheen, rich flavor, and soft bones that melt in your mouth. Whether fried, curried, steamed, or smoked — the Hilsa dishes Sundarban offers are unlike any other culinary experience.
The Hilsa Festival tour Sundarban features over 30 varieties of Ilish dishes, each rooted in traditional Bengali recipes passed down through generations.
🥇 Top 12 Must-Try Hilsa Dishes at the Festival
Here are the most iconic Hilsa dishes served during the Sundarban ilish utsav, and why you must not miss them:
1️⃣ Shorshe Ilish – Mustard Hilsa Curry 🌶️
A classic Bengali preparation with mustard paste, green chilies, and mustard oil. This bold and pungent curry is the pride of the Ilish Festival West Bengal and a staple in every Sundarban ilish thali.
2️⃣ Bhapa Ilish – Steamed Hilsa 🍃
Hilsa marinated with mustard, coconut, and yogurt, wrapped in banana leaves, and steamed to perfection. This delicate dish is a highlight of the Hilsa lover’s festival.
3️⃣ Doi Ilish – Yogurt Hilsa 🥛
A tangy, creamy twist where Hilsa is simmered in a rich yogurt-based gravy. Popular during the Sundarban monsoon hilsa tour, this dish balances spice and sourness beautifully.
4️⃣ Ilish Bhaja – Crispy Fried Hilsa 🔥
Sliced Hilsa deep-fried to a golden crisp, served as a starter. Accompanied by puffed rice (muri) and green chilies, it’s a simple joy during the Sundarban Hilsa weekend tour.
5️⃣ Ilish Pulao – Hilsa Rice Delicacy 🍚
Fragrant basmati rice cooked with Hilsa oil, spices, and fried fish chunks. A festive favorite during the Hilsa food festival West Bengal.
6️⃣ Ilish Tok – Tangy Tamarind Hilsa 🍋
Perfect for hot, humid days. Tamarind pulp adds a tart punch to the soft Hilsa meat. A must-try dish in the Sundarban ilish festival package.
7️⃣ Ilish Machher Tauk Jhol – Light Summer Stew 🥣
Hilsa cooked in a light broth with bottle gourd and mustard seeds. A refreshing alternative during the Sundarban tour in Hilsa season.
8️⃣ Smoked Ilish – Fusion Surprise 🔥
Served in the Sundarban ilish special tour, this contemporary take sees Hilsa grilled with a smoky finish. Often paired with a mustard dip.
9️⃣ Ilish Begun – Hilsa with Eggplant 🍆
A rustic village-style dish where Hilsa is slow-cooked with eggplant slices and green chili. Commonly found at the Hilsa travel festival.
🔟 Ilish Patla Jhol – Thin Gravy Comfort Food 🥄
A home-style preparation with turmeric, green chili, and potatoes. Often offered during the Sundarban ilish parbon.
1️⃣1️⃣ Ilish Cutlet – Perfect Bengali Starter 🧆
Spiced mashed Hilsa patties, crumb-coated and fried. Served as evening snacks during the Sundarban fish festival.
1️⃣2️⃣ Ilish Korma – Royal Treat 👑
A Mughlai-inspired rich Hilsa curry with cashew, poppy seeds, and aromatic garam masala. Featured in deluxe Ilish tour packages.
🥗 Special Dietary Experiences
Sonakshi Travels ensures there’s something for every kind of traveler. While Hilsa dishes Sundarban remains the core, you’ll also find:
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🥦 Veg thalis with Bengali delicacies
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🥩 Optional chicken/mutton meals
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🥣 Light soups and porridges for seniors
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🧁 Bengali sweets like Roshogolla, Payesh, and Chhanar Jilipi
🚤 The Floating Feast – Sundarban Hilsa Boat Tour
During the Sundarban hilsa boat tour, you’ll be served freshly prepared Hilsa dishes while cruising through lush mangrove creeks. Dining on a floating deck while watching kingfishers and crocodiles is an experience exclusive to the Hilsa fish festival Sundarban.
🎉 Part of a Larger Celebration
The Sundarban ilish utsav 2025 isn’t just about eating — it’s a full-blown Hilsa Festival tour Sundarban. In addition to food, expect:
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🎶 Folk performances and Baul songs
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🛍️ Local handicrafts and spice markets
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🎭 Traditional dance and theatre
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📸 Photography contests focused on Hilsa plating
The atmosphere, enhanced by Bengal’s monsoon rains, makes it the Best Hilsa festival India proudly hosts.
📆 Planning Your Trip – Ilish Festival Date & Packages
📅 Festival Dates:
🗓️ July 12 to September 22, 2025
These are the ideal dates for the Sundarban Hilsa Festival 2025, coinciding with the peak Hilsa catch season.
🎟️ Popular Packages from Sonakshi Travels:
🛏️ Sundarban ilish weekend package
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2 Days, 1 Night
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River cruise, meals & stay
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Cultural evening
🏡 Sundarban ilish special tour
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3 Days, 2 Nights
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Luxury AC cottage
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Candlelight Hilsa dinner
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Boat safari
🚐 Ilish tour from Kolkata
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Includes pickup & drop
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Boat transfer
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All meals and activities
Each Ilish tour package includes full board, sightseeing, and guided tours.
🛍️ Souvenirs to Take Back
Don’t leave the Hilsa lover’s festival empty-handed. Popular takeaways include:
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🐟 Hilsa-shaped clay pots
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🧂 Sundarban organic mustard and honey
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🎨 Hand-painted Ilish art
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🍯 Homemade pickles in mustard oil
📝 Tips to Make the Most of Your Food Journey
✅ Arrive Hungry – With over 30 Hilsa dishes, this isn’t a place to be full!
✅ Join the Cooking Demos – Learn to cook Shorshe Ilish from local chefs.
✅ Try Thali First – Sample variety before going a la carte.
✅ Don’t Skip the Cruise Meals – Best flavors come on floating kitchens.
✅ Chat with Locals – Every dish has a story. Discover it.
🌱 Eco-Conscious Dining by Sonakshi Travels
At Sonakshi Travels, all Sundarban Hilsa tour experiences prioritize eco-tourism:
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🌿 Leaf-plate serving for zero waste
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🍃 Use of local, seasonal ingredients
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🧑🍳 Hiring of local cooks and guides
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🚫 Plastic-free food packaging
Enjoy your Hilsa tour with Bengali cuisine knowing your plate supports nature and the community.
🔚 Come Hungry, Leave Happy
The Hilsa fish festival Sundarban is not just a festival — it’s a journey through Bengal’s rivers, kitchens, and hearts. If you love flavors that tell stories, traditions that inspire pride, and nature that nurtures culture, there is no better place to be this monsoon.
Join the Sundarban Hilsa Festival 2025 with Sonakshi Travels and savor a soulful celebration of Bengal’s culinary masterpiece — the Hilsa fish.