Fresh-water fish is an important staple in West Bengali cuisine. At Kolkata's Lake Market, fishmongers sell a wide variety of locally caught species, including carp, cat fish and prawns. No chairs here. Sellers perch themselves on the table, directly behind their wares.
Lake Market —
Fresh-water fish is an important staple in West Bengali cuisine. At Kolkata's Lake Market, fishmongers sell a wide variety of locally caught species, including carp, cat fish and prawns. No chairs here. Sellers perch themselves on the table, directly behind their wares.
Gisella Deputato/CNN
A common sight at the Lake Market, a fishmonger slices his catch on a Bengali bonti. The deadly-looking curved blade has been used by the region's fishmongers for centuries.
The Bonti blade —
A common sight at the Lake Market, a fishmonger slices his catch on a Bengali bonti. The deadly-looking curved blade has been used by the region's fishmongers for centuries.
Gisella Deputato/CNN
Now that's a fantastically ironic t-shirt. Bargaining in the Lake Market can get quite heated as shoppers haggle with vendors for the best deals.
Fierce bargaining —
Now that's a fantastically ironic t-shirt. Bargaining in the Lake Market can get quite heated as shoppers haggle with vendors for the best deals.
Gisella Deputato/CNN
A close-up of the heavy Bonti blade. The Lake Market air is filled with the constant sound of fish parts being cracked open or sliced apart with it.
World's scariest fishmonger blade? —
A close-up of the heavy Bonti blade. The Lake Market air is filled with the constant sound of fish parts being cracked open or sliced apart with it.
CNN
"In Bengal, there's a saying. If you're not a fish eater, you're not a Bengali," says <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fedition.cnn.com%2F2015%2F06%2F05%2Ftravel%2Fbangkok-chef-gaggan-anand%2Findex.html">Indian chef Gaggan Anand</a>.
The soul of West Bengal —
"In Bengal, there's a saying. If you're not a fish eater, you're not a Bengali," says Indian chef Gaggan Anand.
Gisella Deputato/CNN
Though obviously not for the squeamish, Kolkata's Lake Market is a great stop for those who want an authentic sense of the local culinary vibe.
The freshest fish in the city —
Though obviously not for the squeamish, Kolkata's Lake Market is a great stop for those who want an authentic sense of the local culinary vibe.
Gisella Deputato/CNN