K-Restaurant Review: Cafe Tov, Kolkata

Written by: Tirna Sarkar, Kolkata, West Bengal

Edited by: Jayati Bhardwaj, Delhi

Have you seen those K-dramas where the main character sits in a picturesque café and diligently studies? Well, there is a café just like that in Kolkata- Café Tov has been recently established. The café is located near the main road in Kolkata, Ajaynagar. The nearest metro station is Kavi Subhash. The café is managed by Ok Soo-im and her husband, along with other workers. The cafe’s interior is inspired by Scandinavian décor with muted colors and wooden furniture. A lot of unique art and photographs are displayed on the walls. Another noteworthy characteristic about the café is that they also put up the doodles and sketches made by the customers, some of which are amazing.

In a review conducted by Tirna Sarkar on behalf of Hallyuism, she delves into the food and ambience and shares her overall experience of visiting Cafe Tov. Keep reading to learn more about what this café has to offer!

Dakgangjeong

The dish consists of Korean deep-fried crispy chicken glazed in a sweet and spicy sauce. The owner informed me that she exclusively created the sauce for this dish. In Korean, “dak” means chicken, while “gangjeong” refers to a type of traditional Korean confectionery. The chicken is coated in a batter made from rice and corn flour before being deep-fried. Once cooked, the sauce is poured over the chicken and garnished with sesame seeds or peanuts, I ordered mine without peanuts. Additionally, the chicken is marinated for several hours to ensure it is tender.

Non-veg Kimbap

Kimbap is a popular Korean dish that is cooked with seasoned rice. The fillings usually consist of vegetables or crab meat rolled into dried seaweed. The dish is really tasty and healthy. It is also included as a packed meal for lunch. The café served neatly cut 11-12 pieces of Kimbap along with soy sauce and a spicy salad. 

Tteokbokki

Tteokbokki consists of chewy rice cakes cooked in a spicy broth. One can add eggs, noodles, or their choice of meat following their preference. It is one of the most popular street foods in Korea. The rice cakes are cooked using hot pepper paste also known as gochujang. A boiled egg was also added to the tteokbokki in Café Tov. The portion is quite filling for a small group of people and I must add that it is extremely tasty. 

Special mentions

While talking about Cafe Tov the bakery and beverage section deserves a special mention. The items included in the bakery and range of beverages are something worth mentioning, for the taste and quality are truly commendable.

Caramel Macchiato

This drink is available in both hot and cold categories and each of them is equally yummy. The drink is a basic macchiato but with a pinch of caramel drizzled on top of the drink in an artistic manner. 

Cheese Garlic Bread

This is a really great filling snack with bread baked with garlic butter and stuffed with creamy cheese, and the taste is bound to linger in your mouth.  

Brownie

The brownie looks like any other brownie, but unlike most brownies has a soft texture and practically melts into the mouth. 

Make sure to visit Café Tov and try out these delicious dishes and say hi to the friendly owner. 

What are your favorite cafes in your cities, and what dishes do you like most there? Comment your recommendations down below!