Traditional Foods and Life of Old Dhaka City

The traditional foods of old Dhaka city are very famous for its biryani, kabab, local foods, where species are widely accepted and their famous Dhakaiya lifestyle. There are some special food items which are comparatively very cheap from modern restaurant foods. The classical food restaurants of Puran Dhaka providing Bengali and Mughal dishes. If you really care about traditional desserts, then Old Dhaka is for you!

There are so many well-known restaurants for all ages and class in the old part of Dhaka. If you plan to travel Bangladesh, you must visit old Dhaka city. Going there are too many challenges for sometimes with the huge traffic jams along with street businessmen, rickshaws in all the roads leading to the restaurants. Old Dhaka's food is not famous for its traditional foods only but also for its delicious Drinks. Overall Amazing food! Must try!!!! Try everything you can especially the tea!

Places to visit in Old Dhaka City

 

List of landmarks in this region:

Northbrook Hall (Lalkuthi): The Red House because of its deep red color was originally built as a town hall during the British period. It is situated at Farashgonj road in Old Dhaka, Bangladesh on the north bank of the Buriganga River.

Lalbagh Fort: It is an incomplete 17th-century Mughal fort complex that stands before the Buriganga River in the southwestern part of Dhaka, Bangladesh. The construction was started in 1678 AD by Mughal Subahdar Muhammad Azam Shah who was the son of Emperor Aurangzeb and later emperor himself. His successor, Shaista Khan, did not continue the work, though he stayed in Dhaka up to 1688.

Chowk Bazaar Shai Mosque: It is located in Dhaka, Bangladesh, is located in the Chowk Bazaar area of the old town of Dhaka, south of the current city center. The mosque was constructed in 1676 by Subahdar Shaista Khan. The mosque is called Shahi Mosque because it is founded by Subahdar Shayesta Khan. The mosque is built on a raised platform. The three domed mosque above the platform, now transformed into a multi-storied structure was originally a copy of Shaista Khan's another three domed mosques at the Mitford Hospital compound near the Buriganga River.There are some square shaped rooms may be built for Imam and for students of the madrasah. Today the original building design has been lost most of its original form through multiple renovations and extensions.

Dhakeshwari Temple: It is a Hindu temple in Dhaka, Bangladesh. It is state-owned, giving it the distinction of being Bangladesh's 'National Temple'. Since the destruction of Ramna Kali Mandir in 1971 by the Pakistan Army during the Bangladesh Liberation War, the Dhakeshwari Temple has assumed status as the most important Hindu place of worship in Bangladesh.

Hussaini Dalan: The Hussaini Dalan was originally built during the later half of the Mughal rule (17th century) in Dhaka. It was built as the Imambara or house of the imam of the Shia community. Hussaini Dalan serves as the main Hussainiya of Dhaka, or venue for majlis or gatherings held during the month of Muharram, tenth-day religious gathering commemorates the martyrdom of Hussein, the grandson of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.

Armenian Church: The Church (also known as Armenian Apostolic Church of the Holy Resurrection) is a historically significant architectural monument situated in the Armanitola area of old Dhaka, Bangladesh. The church bears testimony to the existence of a significant Armenian community in the region in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Bara Katra: It is a historical and architectural monument located in the city of Dhaka, Bangladesh. It is a palatial building dating to the reign of the Mughal dynasty in the Bengal region. It is situated to the south of Chowk Bazaar close to the north bank of the river Buriganga.

Choto Katra: The Small Katara is one of the two Katras built during Mughal's regime in Dhaka, Bangladesh. It was constructed in 1663 by Subahdar Shaista Khan. It is on Hakim Habibur Rahman lane on the bank of the Buriganga River. Basically, it was built to accommodate some officials and Shaista Khan's expanding family. Choto Katra is slightly smaller than Bara Katra, but similar in plan and it is about 185 meters east of it.

Tara Mosque: Star Mosque aka Tara Masjid, is a mosque located in Armanitola area, Dhaka, Bangladesh. The mosque has ornate designs and is decorated with motifs of blue stars. It was built in the first half of the 19th century by Mirza Golam Pir (Mirza Ahmed Jan).

Ahsan Manzil: The Manjil was the official residential palace and seat of the Nawab of Dhaka. The building is situated at Kumartoli along the banks of the Buriganga River in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Construction was started in 1859 and was completed in 1872. It was constructed in the Indo-Saracenic Revival architecture. It has been designated as a national museum.

Famous Restaurants in Old Dhaka

Nanna Biriani: it is a famous restaurant located in old Dhaka. “Morog” is chicken, and “polao” is rice cooked in a special way. Morog-polao is specially cooked rice with a large portion of chicken, served with a special drink named “borhani”. It is a very tasty and famous food of Bangladesh.

                                    

Royal Restaurant: Royal is situated at Lalbagh: Kacchi Biryani, Jafran-badam nuts Shorbat, Chicken tikka, Lobang, and Kashmiri naan made this restaurant popular to the food lovers. Star Kabab Hotel and Restaurant at Nawabpur Road: Mutton Lekush, Prawn, and Faluda are most popular items in this restaurant.

Al Razzaque: It is located in Dhaka City, Bangladesh offers exciting creations of Asian dishes and much more. Al Razzaque provides Bengali and Moghal dishes. The traditional restaurant is very famous for its Kacchi Biryani, Jafran-badamer Sarbat, Chicken tikka, Lobang,  breakfast, special tea and Sehri in Ramadan.

Kolkata Kacchi Ghor: they offer mutton biriyani at a reasonable price. The food was definitely different than other Katchi Biriany. The rice is long and fine. Mutton is juicy and tender. Takeout is also available. The Biriyani lovers should try it.

Traditional Life of Old Dhaka

Traffic jam is the main problem to reach the old Dhaka are. It difficult to move around the city but you will surely impress by its crowd, building structures and narrow down streets. You have no idea that you lost yourself in this busy old city.

The relation of old Dhaka community is very strong and unique. The real Dhakaiya (People of old Dhaka) are very impressive to celebrate their culture and traditional festivals. 

It is unbelievable,  the traffic jams in Old Dhaka used to be more annoying than they are today. Traffic stood at a standstill for two hours straight or more.  Things move a little now because trucks are not allowed to use the roads until after 10 pm and a number of new roads have been built. However, one form of transport constantly availed of in Old Dhaka is the Rickshaw. The rent is not so high. People also like to enjoy to ride a cart. 

Finally come to Bangladesh and discover the beauty of its people and multi-culture.

Thanks!