CR Park Market 1 (Market No. 1) is the colony’s most famous and most visited market. Located near the Kali Mandir hillock, it is the market that most visitors think of when they hear “CR Park market.” It combines a fish market, street food stalls, Bengali grocery stores, sweet shops, and general retail in a compact, high-energy space.
What Market 1 Is Known For
| Category | What to find | Key shops |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh fish | Hilsa, Katla, Rohu, Bhetki, prawns, crabs | Fish Market Alley (side lane) |
| Street food | Phuchka, cutlets, ghugni, jhalmuri, egg rolls | Raju Phuchka, Dadu Cutlet |
| Bengali groceries | Mustard oil, panch phoron, posto, kashundi | Multiple grocery stores |
| Sweets | Sandesh, cham-cham, seasonal specials | Kamala Sweets |
| Biryani | Kolkata-style biryani with potato and egg | Kolkata Biryani House |
Key Shops
| Shop | Shop Number | Known For | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raju Phuchka | Shop 156 | Kolkata-style phuchkas for 20+ years; tangy tamarind water | Rs 30-40/plate |
| Kolkata Biryani House | Shop 49 | Kolkata-style biryani with potato and egg | Rs 150-200/plate |
| Dadu Cutlet Shop | Shop 39 | Bengali chops and cutlets — alu chop, fish cutlet, egg devil | ~Rs 100 for two |
| Kamala Sweets | Market 1 | One of the oldest sweet shops; cham-cham, sandesh, seasonal specials | Rs 200-400/kg |
| Fish Market Alley | Side lane | Fresh Hilsa, Katla, Rohu, prawns, crabs; daily Kolkata shipments | Rs 200-3,000/kg |
The Fish Market
The fish market in Market 1 is a spectacle. By 7:00 AM, vendors are already arranging the morning’s shipment — polystyrene boxes filled with ice and fish arrive from Kolkata and the eastern coast via overnight trucks. The variety in a landlocked city is remarkable:
- Hilsa (Ilish) — The prized fish of Bengali cuisine; seasonal peak July-October; Rs 1,200-3,000/kg
- Katla — Large freshwater carp; staple for Bengali households; Rs 250-400/kg
- Rohu — Another popular carp; Rs 200-350/kg
- Bhetki (Barramundi) — Premium white fish for Bhetki Paturi and fish fry; Rs 500-800/kg
- Tiger Prawns (Bagda Chingri) — Large prawns for Chingri Malaikari; Rs 600-1,200/kg
- Crabs — Mud crabs; seasonal; Rs 400-800/kg
Tips for buying fish:
- Best time: 7-9 AM for the freshest selection
- Check gills (should be red), eyes (clear), and smell (ocean-fresh)
- Bargaining is expected — start at roughly 20% below the quoted price
- Vendors will clean and cut the fish on the spot at no extra charge
Street Food Scene
Market 1’s lane is a street food corridor after 4:00 PM:
- Raju Phuchka (Shop 156) — The most famous phuchka in CR Park. Bengali phuchka is spicier, tangier, and more flavorful than North Indian golgappa. Rs 30-40 per plate.
- Dadu Cutlet Shop (Shop 39) — Bengali chops and cutlets: alu chop, fish cutlet, egg devil, mutton cutlet. Served with kashundi (mustard sauce). Rs 30-100 per piece.
- Ghugni stalls — Spiced white pea curry with onion, chili, and lemon. Rs 20-30 per bowl.
- Jhalmuri vendors — Puffed rice with mustard oil, onions, green chilies, and spices. Rs 20-30.
- Egg roll counters — Kolkata-style egg rolls wrapped in paratha. Rs 40-60.
Practical Information
Address: Market No. 1, Chittaranjan Park, New Delhi 110019
Nearest metro: Nehru Enclave (Magenta Line) — 12 min walk
Hours: Shops 9 AM-9 PM, fish market best 7-9 AM, street food stalls 4 PM onwards
Closed: Some shops close one day per week (varies by shop)
Payment: Cash preferred. Some shops accept UPI. Few accept cards.
ATM: Available in Market 2 (5 min walk)
What to Do at Market 1 (Visitor Guide)
Morning (7-10 AM)
- Visit the fish market — sights, sounds, bargaining in Bengali
- Buy fresh sandesh from Kamala Sweets
- Have kochuri and chai for breakfast at any sweet shop
Afternoon & Evening (12-9 PM)
- Eat at Dadu Cutlet Shop — fish fry, mutton cutlet (Rs 100 for two)
- Try Raju Phuchka — the essential Bengali street food (Rs 40)
- Walk the street food corridor for ghugni, jhalmuri, and egg rolls
- Buy Bengali groceries — mustard oil, panch phoron, kashundi