Traditional foods of Dhaka

LIKE all centuries-old cities, Dhaka also is enriched with its traditional foods. Most of today's youths have little idea about these items. Even many aged people in Old Dhaka have never seen these foods. The age of pizza, pasta and grilled chicken seems to have elbowed out that of 'glassi', 'murgi musallam' and snacks like 'gulgulla', 'nankhita' etc. However, a section of food enthusiasts has lately tried to revive the lost delicacies. These people have brought many of these foods under new names.

It is undeniable that the city's Chawk Bazar Iftar market has been playing a great role in bringing back many of these lost foods. Had it not for this month-long evening market, dozens of famed Dhaka kebabs would have disappeared for ever. In recent times, Dhaka's specially spiced 'kachhi biriani' has conquered the food world of Kolkata in West Bengal. Many senior Kolkata people become nostalgic about Dhaka's 'Bakarkhani' and 'shonpapri'. The items appear to have rich marketing prospect in the Indian city.

Organisations promoting Dhaka's rich past are seen holding festivals, highlighting different aspects of the historic city. They can give a thought to arranging a special food fest. It will feature Dhaka's now lost and traditional delicacies and varied types of fancy food items.

Hasan Zahid

Banasree, Dhaka