Bangladesh Cuisine & Restaurants

[INDIC]

Authenticity is a double-edged sword - sometimes you have to tailor food to suit local tastes.

Chicken Tikka Masala and Balti Chicken were British-Bangladeshi inventions meant for UK taste-buds and unknown back in Bangladesh (or India for that matter). So think of it as 'UK Curry' and not Indian Curry.

And I think a lot of the Bangladeshi posters here will agree that curry tastes different all over the subcontinent. I prefer the Bangladeshi version with a lot less salt and not loaded with spice like in the North Indian variety.

So to each his own culinary freedom. This practice of claiming food as one's own is baffling to me.

I have friends in UK, they don't have good views about unauthentic Indian curries sold by Bangladeshi. Infact, I have seen numerous British TV shows where they toured to India and complaining that they are not getting authentic Indian curries in Britain run by Bangladeshis from Sylhet.

Whatever grass eater

What you eat, thorns and bushes.

 

[Bilal9]

I have friends in UK, they don't have good views about unauthentic Indian curries sold by Bangladeshi. Infact, I have seen numerous British TV shows where they toured to India and complaining that they are not getting authentic Indian curries in Britain run by Bangladeshis from Sylhet.

Well maybe your friends could open their own 'authentic' curry outlet and lead the way

What you eat, thorns and bushes.

 

[INDIC]

Well maybe your friends could open their own 'authentic' curry outlet and lead the way

Why you think we should, when we have other things to do.

 

[Bilal9]

I have friends in UK, they don't have good views about unauthentic Indian curries sold by Bangladeshi. Infact, I have seen numerous British TV shows where they toured to India and complaining that they are not getting authentic Indian curries in Britain run by Bangladeshis from Sylhet.

Well maybe your friends could open their own 'authentic curry' restaurant in the UK and show these Bangladeshis how its really done, if the British are craving the 'real' thing so much.

Of course I'm sure your friends are too busy coding or writing reports - eh?

 

[Bilal9]

Here's a list of the top five moderately priced Thai eateries in Dhaka - courtesy of Jhalmoori dot com (Bangladeshi entertainment portal). These are _very_ moderately priced hole-in-the-wall places and serve young people with minimal budgets. The Thai fare served however is very authentic and the restaurants in most cases - run by Thai entrepreneurs themselves. At least one has won the Thai Govt. award for authenticity in Thai cuisine.

Proximity of Bangkok to Dhaka (two and a half hour flight) as well as the runaway 'foodie' culture in Dhaka has resulted in the profusion of Thai eateries in this city.

All images copyright of Jhalmoori site or the respective restaurant owners.

5. Luam's – Thai Fast Food

Luam's Thai food is located in House 103, Road 13/A, Block C, Banani, Dhaka-1213, Bangladesh; Luam’s Thai Fast Food try to give you the real taste and range of Thai street food, though lacking a bit in presentation and sophistication, but lacking nothing in taste. Lately they've slid down the scale a bit - their food quality is more variable and their service has become questionable, hence placed last in the listing at number five.

4. Time Out – The Happening Café

Located in House 65E, Road 19A, Banani, Dhaka-1213, Bangladesh - 'Time Out' began with the concept of clean atmosphere and good quality food at low prices for students, families and busy executives. All food is cooked-to-order, but the 20 minute wait is worth it for most patrons.

3. Simply Thai

Located in House 23, Road 10, Block E, Banani, Dhaka-1213, Bangladesh; Simply Thai is place where you will always get fresh Thai food. They offer tasty Thai food with nice interior décor and good service. It is a good value for money place.

 

[Bilal9]

2. @Corner – Thai Restaurant
Located in Navana Shopping Complex, 4th Floor, Gulshan-1 Circle, Dhaka-1212, Bangladesh; @Corner is 100% Thai owned and managed by Thai professionals and chefs. This is high rent area and accordingly pricing is a little higher than your average Thai fast food joint (set lunch is Tk.399 as of 2014).

They are the only restaurant in Bangladesh to be awarded THAI SELECT from the Thai Government for authenticity in Thai cuisine, hospitality and atmosphere.

1. Thai Emerald – Authentic Thai Cuisine

Located in House 54, Road 2, Sector 3, Uttara Model Town, Dhaka-1230, Bangladesh.

Picked as the _top_ reasonably priced Thai place in Dhaka with pricing to suit middle-class budgets (around Tk. 500 per person for dinner) - this is _the_ place in Uttara (North Dhaka) to go for some tasty Thai grub, check prices though at their website. But visitors say that during dinner time it can be quite full and loud and crowded like a market. Wait time to get served can be longer than normal. Service is friendly but can be slow because of the evening rush. But this place still offers value for money and minimalist but tasteful decor.

Spicy squid

Steamed Dumplings

Shrimp patties?

 

[Bilal9]

Thais top tipping table
by Inside Retail Asia on April 9, 2014

Thai consumers are the most generous when it comes to tipping, overtaking Bangladesh and claiming the top spot in Asia, reveals MasterCard’s survey.

The credit card giant’s survey found four in 10 consumers across Asia are accustomed to leaving a tip behind after a good meal in a restaurant, while in Thailand tipping is common among eight in 10 consumers.

People in Bangladesh, last year’s top tippers, appeared more frugal this year with 80 per cent saying they generally tipped compared with a high 88 per cent at the same time last year.

Tipping appeared least common in Japan where a mere four per cent of respondents said they tipped.

South Korea, Taiwan and New Zealand joined Japan in propping up the table with 10 per cent of South Koreans, and 12 per cent of Taiwanese and New Zealanders each claiming they tip regularly.

Men (43 per cent) are more inclined to tip than women (36 per cent).

“Tipping in Asia can be confusing because the region holds diverse views towards the practice. Cultural nuances can make tipping a rule of thumb in some Asian markets, while in others it can be discouraged or even considered rude,” said Georgette Tan, group head, communications, Asia/Pacific, Middle East and Africa, MasterCard.

Thais top tipping table | Inside Retail Asia

Thailand Overtakes Bangladesh and Claims Title as ‘Top Tippers’ in Asia Pacific: MasterCard | Asia Hub

 

[Bilal9]

Baton Rouge - an older 'cheesy' type place for family buffet style fare. If you can excuse the decor the food is quite agreeable.

 

[Bilal9]

Some reviews of other ethnic restaurants in Dhaka,

View Single Post - Dhaka | Restaurants & Fast Food - Part 2

View Single Post - Dhaka | Restaurants & Fast Food - Part 2

View Single Post - Dhaka | Restaurants & Fast Food - Part 2

View Single Post - Dhaka | Restaurants & Fast Food - Part 2

View Single Post - Dhaka | Restaurants & Fast Food - Part 2

The ROK Restaurant - INNOTEL Business Hotel Banani

 

[Bilal9]

Holey Artisan Bakery, Gulshan-2
Real Artisan Bakery -- right in the heart of Dhaka.
(images copyright Holey Artisan Bakery)

 

[Bilal9]

Coentro is a fusion Mediterranean eatery offering a variety of dishes inspired by Latin America & Mediterranean cuisines in Dhaka
All images copyrighted to the restaurant owners

"Beef Tostadas" -
Crispy toasted tortillas topped with spicy minced beef, re-fried beans, shredded cabbage with honey lime dressing & pico de gallo topped with sour cream.

"Chicken Lollipops" - Fried succulent chicken pops marinated in Coentro's very own sweet chilli sauce

Tender and juicy Sirloin Steak with luscious mashed potatoes & gravy and sautéed veggies and served with pepper sauce

Beef Nachos - crispy tortilla chips loaded with minced beef, cheese, signature tangy and spicy Salsa, jalapeño, onions, coentro & sour cream...

Beef Tenderloin Tacos - four warm soft flour tortillas filled with juicy strips of Beef Tenderloin Steam coupled with sweet n' tangy honey-lime dressed shredded cabbage and served with Pico de Gallo, Salsa and Spicy Pickled Onions

Pan seared Prawns with garlic & chilli and served with Italian Brown Bread

 

[Donatello]

Sorry mate have to disagree.. I have traveled most of South Asia, Bombay has to be the culinary capital of South Asia.. And then Bangalore, Colombo comes a close third, And i'm talking of experience of a non Indian

Dhaka's culinary options maybe growing, And thats good to hear.. But it's no where close to the cities i have mentioned when it comes to selection and better dining

Btw those places you have posted looks pretty nice

Have you visited Lahore/Karachi?

 

[Bilal9]

Have you visited Lahore/Karachi?

Mr. Donatello

Is there a recent thread for restaurants in those cities?

 

[Donatello]

Mr. Donatello

Is there a recent thread for restaurants in those cities?

No. But there are plenty of cuisine options in Lahore/Karachi/Islamabad.

 

[Bilal9]

No. But there are plenty of cuisine options in Lahore/Karachi/Islamabad.

Well if someone opened a separate thread on these restaurants then it would let non-locals like us some insight into the options from a local Pakistani perspective (similar to what I'm doing here)...

TripAdvisor and Zomato reviews can only go so far. And one has to eat at some point - right