Bangladesh is a land of various mouthwatering traditional culinary flavors. Its people love food, from the cities to the rural areas to the villages. Bangladeshi cuisine uses cooking techniques passed on from generation to generation. Here, food plays a huge part in their lifestyle and culture.
Join me on a journey through Bangladeshi cuisine to learn more about its incredible food culture and traditions!
“Mache Bhate Bangali” (Bengali by Fish and Rice):
Bengalis are called “Mache-Bhate Bangali” due to their love of fish and rice. Bangladesh is a land of rivers, which is a huge source for various kinds of fish. With this variety of delicious fish, and rice being their staple food, Bengali people cannot think of a life without eating fish with rice. Some of the well-liked fish are Rupchanda, Hilsa, Tilapia, Coral, Loitta, Koi, Rui, Katla, Boaal, Shing, Magur, and many more. Fish are enjoyed in many ways, such as fried, steamed, mashed, in curries, with mustard paste, with vegetables, wrapped in banana leaves, and so on.
Hilsa:
Hilsa, known as the ‘queen of all fish’, is also the national fish of Bangladesh. Hilsa, or Ilish, is not only their favorite fish; it is also a part of their pride and delicacy. It has great cultural significance for them. Bengalis cook and serve Hilsa fish to guests or on special occasions to honor the tradition. “Shorshe Ilish,” Hilsa fish cooked in a mustard curry is a very popular dish. Steamed Ilish, Ilish Bhorta, and Ilish Polao are all well-liked and delicious dishes.
Panta Bhat:
Panta Bhat is a traditional Bengali dish, which is rice soaked and fermented in water overnight and served in the morning. It is usually served with salt, onion, chili, alu bhorta, or dried fish (shutki). Panta Bhat, or Poita Bhat, is often enjoyed for breakfast on the day of Pohela Boishakh, the first day of the Bengali New Year. There is also Panta Ilish; Panta Bhat paired with fried Hilsa, which is a very popular meal for the Bengalis. People living in rural areas love this dish as a breakfast choice since it is very easy to prepare and there are not any fancy ingredients required. Also, because the rice is fermenting overnight, they do not need to worry about storing it in a cool place. It is not only refreshing and delicious, but it is also more nutritious than fresh rice! So, having Panta Bhat for breakfast can have many nutritional benefits.
Biryani:
This dish mainly originated from the Mughals. However, in Bangladesh, Biryani is prepared differently than other varieties. It is a rice dish with meat and spices. Sometimes eggs and potatoes are also added. There are several types of Biryanis. Such as Kacchi Biryani, Chicken Biryani (Morog Polao), Mutton Biryani, Tehari, and others. Dhaka’s Kacchi Biryani and Puran Dhaka’s Haji Biryani are two must-have dishes of all time.
Banglar Misti (Sweets of Bangladesh):
Desserts are an absolute must-have at any Bangladeshi meal. Mishti, or sweets, are milk-based delights dipped in sugar syrup, malai, or ghee. Bangladesh has a wide variety of sweets all across its districts. Some renowned sweets are Roshogollah, Kalojam, Chomchom, Roshmalai, Lalmohon, Laddu, Shondesh, etc. Sweets are also served with Mishti Doi, sweetened yogurt on special occasions.
Pitha:
Pithas are almost similar to fritters or pancakes. It is usually made from dough and then steamed or fried. Sweet pithas contain sugar, date juice, or coconut. Sometimes, it has a filling or a sauce. In some families, the women often enjoy making pithas together as a bonding time with other family members. Pitha is a delicacy that is often enjoyed on a cold winter morning with family. Bhapa pitha is a steamed rice cake, made of rice flour and filled with goor and coconut, is a classic winter morning food. Other types of pithas include Chitoi pitha, Patishapta, Dudh Puli, Nakshi pitha, and many more.
Street Food:
Bangladesh has a variety of delicious and affordable street foods. Fuchka is one of the most popular street foods in Bangladesh. It is a crispy shell filled with chickpeas and mashed potatoes, served with spicy and tangy tamarind water. Chotpoti, often paired with fuchka, which is made of boiled peas and potatoes, is also very liked by people of all ages. Jhalmuri is another street food classic, which is puffed rice mixed with spices, onions, chilies, and mustard oil. Not to mention, “Tong er cha,” or tea from tea stalls, is an important part of people’s lives. These stalls serve tea with bananas, bread, biscuits.
Bangladeshi cuisine is a form of pride and hospitality among Bengali people. Their food is very rich with a variety of spices, herbs, and local ingredients, which shows how diverse their culture truly is. To them, every food is a way to celebrate their culture.
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Writer,
Sarah Mahdia
Intern, Content Writing Department
YSSE