In recent years, Dhaka has witnessed a subtle yet significant shift in its street-food ecology. The rise of 'eat-out' and social-media driven trends has shifted consumption patterns among urban citizens and taken a new dimension. What was once limited to simple tea stalls and traditional snacks has evolved into a diverse, urban food market, driven by young entrepreneurs.
At Agaragaon, informal bakery stalls have clustered together into hubs, commonly termed as "Cake Potti" where home bakers sell affordable desserts to office-goers and metro commuters. Most are home-based bakers and cooks, using modest capital and leveraging informal channels for low-entry entrepreneurship which empowers youth and women with limited investment.
Gulshan street corners serve a variety of fusion kebabs, doi fuchkas, viral chips, flavored teas catering to both busy professionals as well as youth seeking a refreshing 'adda' with their friends. Items are sold from carts or trunks of parked cars - a modern form of the traditional hawker. These micro-ventures highlight the resilience and creativity of Bangladesh's informal sector as well as the emergence of a hybrid retail model, where social media marketing meets street-level direct selling.
These developments illustrate how Bangladesh's informal economy is innovating at the grassroots level. It also reflects a shift in consumer behaviour which can complement Bangladesh's formal food and hospitality industry if provided with proper policy support.
However, the rapid growth also raises questions about policy gaps in urban regulation, hygiene and infrastructure. Vendors may lack access to clean water, waste disposal, and food safety training. Lack of regulation, parking issues, and food safety concerns or counterfeit products may create urban management challenges.
To sustain this momentum, city corporations could introduce licensed street food zones, provide microcredit access, and partner with SME agencies to upskill vendors.
As Bangladesh aims for diversified growth, authorities can explore ways to formalise and support safety, where they can help build a more resilient and inclusive business ecosystem instead of periodic eviction drives.
Samiya Hossain, BBA
North South University
samiya.hossain.232northsouth.edu
