Dhaka streets turn into open Iftar buffets

The fasting month of Ramadan has begun, turning several localities in capital Dhaka virtually into open buffets with eateries flanking the streets.

For those who will break the day-long fast at sunset, arrays of food stalls selling Iftar delicacies have been set up in various places of Dhaka.

From upscale restaurants to roadside eateries, all have special menu.

The aroma of freshly cooked food waft through the air in Chawk Bazar and Bailey Road.

Apart from these two traditional Iftar hot spots, food stalls have come up in front of almost all shopping malls in Karwan Bazar, Dhanmondi, Gulshan and other places.

Along with varieties of fries, eateries in Chawk Bazar and Bailey Road are serving mutton roast, full chicken, pigeon and duck roast. Assortment of Kebabs and Chap are the other delicacies on sale.

On the first day of Ramadan, the stalls in Chawk Bazar and Bailey Road were chock-a-block with customers braving sultry weather beelined for traditional Mughlai cuisines.

From Friday afternoon, shopkeepers of Chawk Bazar and other areas of the capital started setting up their stalls with a full range of Ramdan delicacies. As the day progressed, the crowd also increased.

The customers of all ages jostled with each other to get the delicacies of their choice. Once delivered, they rushed back home with satisfaction.

Muzibul Haque, a resident of Midford Road, said the best ‘Daibarha’ (a special delicacy made of yogurt), Suti and Jali Kebabs, Faluda and Firni were found in Chawk Bazar.

The place is also famous for Shahi Jilabis, weighing a kilogram per piece. 

However, the shopkeepers said the extreme hot weather dampened their sales.

A resident of Urdu Road, Sajib Hussain told bdnews24.com, “In this hot weather, consumption of fried food items can lead to ailments. So, I have taken some juices and Daibarhas despite having small children who love fries.”

Big crowds in front of four Kebab stalls at Nazirbazar junction in Old Dhaka brought traffic almost to a halt in the evening.  

A staff of a stall called ‘Sabuj’ said they specialised on chicken Chaps, beef Bhuna and ‘Gudda Bhuna’.

People thronged here to buy these three items, he said.

There were also complaints of prices being jacked up during Ramadan.

“For the beef Bhuna, which used to cost Tk 60 a plate, eateries are now charging Tk 80,” a customer said.