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Londoners are used to seeing food trucks and gourmet coffee carts on street corners, but a man enthusiastically mixing puffed rice, spices, chopped vegetables, lime and mustard oil in a steel tumbler while chanting jhalmuri fresh jhalmuri is a sight that stops people in their tracks. That man is Angus Denoon, a former British chef who has become a social-media sensation for selling Kolkata’s iconic street snack, jhalmuri, on the streets of London. Multiple Instagram posts capturing Angus in action have gone viral in recent weeks, with viewers mesmerised by his theatrical mixing style and near-perfect Kolkata-style Hindi and Bengali inflections. One reel celebrating his journey reads, “Kolkata’s jhalmuri magic made a Britisher fall in love — so much that he’s been serving it on London’s streets for 18 years!” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Whats Hot Kolkata (@whatshot_kolkata) As per reports, after visiting Kolkata in 2004, and again in 2005, Denoon got captivated by the city’s street food scene. Fascinated by the energy of the vendors and the sheer burst of flavours, he decided to immerse himself fully. He spent months learning the craft directly from local chaat sellers, such as watching, practising and perfecting every detail. Eventually, after years of mastering the balance of spices and the rhythm of serving, Denoon brought Kolkata’s beloved street food, particularly chaat and jhalmuri, to the streets of London. An older clip from June 2019, shot outside The Oval during the India vs. Australia Cricket World Cup match, shows him making bhelpuri and jhalmuri for cricket fans. The caption reads, “Angus Denoon, a chef seen in London, learnt making jhalmuri and bhelpuri in Kolkata… He specialises in Indian street food and ‘Beri Beri Bhel’ done Dada.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Suresh N (@surnell) Dada, a Bengali term of endearment, sums up Angus’s relationship with Kolkata. He isn’t just serving a product; he’s carrying a legacy. Angus now runs under the name ‘Jhalmuri Express’, setting up his mobile trolley across London and other cities. His Instagram followers often track his location just to taste his creations. One fan from Bristol posted, “He very kindly gave me a heads up that he was coming to Bristol and set up his trolley in a suburban Bristol street just to feed my face…Thanks again, Angus, Top Bloke.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mark Chamberlain (@mark.chambeerlain) With every reel shared, more people discover the unlikely story of a man from Britain who found his calling in a bustling corner of Kolkata. In an internet era obsessed with trends, Angus stands out because his success is rooted in authenticity. He respects the cuisine, the culture and even the spirit of street vendors.
