Saudi Press

Saudi Arabia and the world
Sunday, Jun 22, 2025

In Old Dhaka, blend of Bengali, Middle Eastern flavors is a Ramadan favorite

In Old Dhaka, blend of Bengali, Middle Eastern flavors is a Ramadan favorite

In the dusty and congested streets of Dhaka’s old town, a signature dish is a fast-breaking staple, blending Bengali and Middle Eastern flavors in strict adherence with a recipe dating back to the Mughal Empire.

A popular street food of the historical part of Bangladeshi’s capital, boro baper polay khay is arguably not for the faint-hearted. A must-have delicacy during the holy month of Ramadan, it is generously served, appetizing but loaded with cholesterol and calories, cooked with an assortment of at least a dozen spices and presented as what can best be described as an amalgamation of many dishes in one.

It consists of rice, lentils, chickpeas, beef or mutton, and is spiced with cumin, coriander, and cardamom. It is served with a generous amount of gravy, made from a mixture of yogurt, onion, and green chilies, and is garnished with crispy fried onions and fresh coriander leaves.


Boro baper polay khay is believed to have been created by the workers of the Boro Bari Mosque in Old Dhaka some four centuries ago. The name of the dish literally means “food eaten by the son of a rich father.”

“I prepare it with 12 ingredients and 12 spices,” said Mohammed Salekin, one of many street food vendors specializing in boro baper polay khay.

“I prepare the food with pure ghee. People find it tasty, and they come here again and again.”

He is the third generation of cooks involved in the business nested in vibrant Old Dhaka, an area known for its Mughal-era architecture and often frequented by locals and tourists.

Cook Amir Hussain Jewel, who is competing to grab his market share of customers through small adjustments to the signature dish, said he avoids adding beef to the dish to make it more widely palatable.

“I prepare boro baper polay khay with 12 ingredients and 12 spices except for beef so that all people, including Hindus and Muslims, can taste it,” he told Arab News.

Despite soaring inflation and a rise in the cost of ingredients that have led to an increase in the price of one serving to $8 from $6 last year, foodies remain unfazed in ordering the signature dish, saying it is an all-in-one treat.

“You can taste all the flavors of old Dhaka in one item. This is the specialty of this food,” said customer Dr. Omar Faruk, for whom the dish is “a tradition of old Dhaka.”

“It’s like a custom that every Ramadan we will come here at least once and take the food home. It’s a food that represents tradition.”

And the delicacy’s unique flavor compels those who have tasted it once to become repeat customers. “It is very delicious,” said another customer, Happy Akter, while buying boro baper polay khay for iftar.

“That’s why I take it every year. Boro baper polay khay is something unique in taste, like its name.”

Newsletter

Related Articles

Saudi Press
0:00
0:00
Close
WATCH: Israeli forces show the aftermath of a massive airstrike at Iran's Isfahan nuclear site
We have new information and breaking details to share about what is shaping up to be a historic air campaign tonight
Six Massive Bombs Dropped on Fordow; Trump: 'A Historic Moment for the U.S., Israel, and the World'
Fordow: Deeply Buried Iranian Enrichment Site in U.S.–Israel Crosshairs
United States Conducts Precision Strikes on Iran’s Nuclear Sites
US strikes Iran nuclear sites, Trump says
Pakistan to nominate Trump for Nobel Peace Prize.
Israel Confirms Assassination of Quds Force Commander in Tehran
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
G7 Leaders Fail to Reach Consensus on Key Global Issues
Mass exodus in Tehran as millions try to flee following Trump’s evacuation order
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
Iran Conducts Ballistic Missile Launches Amid Heightened Tensions with Israel
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
Shock Within Iran’s Leadership: Khamenei’s Failed Plan to Launch 1,000 Missiles Against Israel
Trump's Anti-War Stance Tested Amid Israel-Iran Conflict
UK Deploys Jets to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
Exiled Iranian Prince Reza Pahlavi Urges Overthrow of Khamenei Regime
Wreck of $17 Billion San José Galleon Identified Off Colombia After 300 Years
Iran Launches Extensive Missile Attack on Israel Following Israeli Strikes on Nuclear Sites
Israel Issues Ultimatum to Iran Over Potential Retaliation and Nuclear Facilities
Black Box Recovered from Air India Crash Site
Coinbase CEO Warns Bitcoin Could Supplant US Dollar Amid Mounting National Debt
Trump to Iran: Make a Deal — Sign or Die
Operation "Like a Lion": Israel Strikes Iran in Unprecedented Offensive
Israel Launches 'Operation Rising Lion' Targeting Iranian Nuclear and Military Sites
Israeli Forces Intercept Gaza-Bound Aid Vessel Carrying Greta Thunberg
IMF Warns of Severe Global Trade War Impacts on Emerging Markets
Syria to Reconnect to Global Economy After 14 Years of Isolation
Israel Confirms Arming Gaza Clan to Counter Hamas Influence
Global News Roundup: From Ukraine's strategic military strikes and Russia's demands and Tensions Escalate in Ukraine, to serious legal issues faced by Britons in Bali and Trump's media criticism, the latest developments highlight a turbulent landscape
U.S. Reduces Military Presence in Syria
Trump Demands Iran End All Uranium Enrichment in Nuclear Talks
Iran Warns Europe Against Politicizing UN Nuclear Report
Paris Saint-Germain's Greatest Triumph Is Football’s Lowest Point
OPEC+ Agrees to Increase Oil Output for Third Consecutive Month
Turkey Detains Istanbul Officials Amid Anti-Corruption Crackdown
Meta and Anduril Collaborate on AI-Driven Military Augmented Reality Systems
EU Central Bank Pushes to Replace US Dollar with Euro as World’s Main Currency
European and Arab Ministers Convene in Madrid to Address Gaza Conflict
×