In Dhaka, restaurants come and go, but for 13 years, Turkish Bazaar has consistently upheld their quality of food which is a commendable feat in a market that sees very high turnover.
From the delightful adana kebab to baba ganoush, Turkish Bazaar offers a selection of authentic Ottoman delicacies.
“Back then, there was no one else offering Turkish food, and we just thought, why not bring Turkish cuisine in? It's been a hit ever since,” said owner Syed Ehsanul Haque.
Mehedi Hasan/Dhaka TribuneFood
Their most ordered dish is actually a selection of kebabs and grill in their mixed grill platter. It has an assortment of adana chicken kebab, lamb sheesh kebab, and shredded chicken shawarma meat and chicken wings, served with a side of white rice, a couple of pieces of pita bread, two sauces - garlic, and crushed chilli pepper.
Mehedi Hasan/Dhaka TribuneTraditionally a lamb dish, these chicken versions are anything but a letdown but a reminder as to why chicken is universally loved.
Marinated in tomato paste, red chilli flakes, and sumac, these kebabs are packed with flavour and ooh soo tender.
Skewered and grilled over charcoal, the kebabs are charred on the outside and succulent inside, while the smoky aroma.
Granted, everyone looks for good char and a smoky taste in kebabs, but having tried quite a few just recently, we would say they went for the kill and perfected that effect.
You will appreciate the care they take in preparing their lamb sheesh, which is a mixture of diced lamb, olive oil, lemon juice, and black pepper that gives you the taste of some well-cooked lamb without the smell of lamb remaining that could be overwhelming to some.
Their chicken wings are a genuine surprise finished on the grill, giving them that charred appearance and taste, and once again, the fragrance is one special touch on the platter.
In fact, that long-lasting smoky fragrance stays till you have finished the entire platter.
Their sauces tie the platter together, the chilli pepper sauce entirely takes over your tastebuds, and the nuanced freshness is remarkably evident, predominantly apricot orange in colour.
The secret is they have used local crushed chilli, which adds a uniquely desirable heat that leaves you wanting more.
While the garlic sauce is a traditional mix of garlic, lemon juice and black pepper, the platter would be incomplete without it as it adds the right finish.
The one recommendation we want to leave you with is pairing the platter with rice instead of the pita bread; you will not regret that choice.
Their chicken shawarma has chicken, carrots, lettuce, tomato, and the delectable garlic sauce wrapped in a warm tortilla, and it is a mouth-watering hit, do not forget to add the sauces before you take your first bite.
The meal ends with the Turkish staple of dessert - the baklavas, with a pistachio filling wrapped in filo pastry.
While the expectations were high, the taste was a big letdown as the widely known syrup could hardly be tasted, was entirely missing, it seemed, and rendered the baklavas too dry.
The price range for a meal at the Turkish Bazaar is Tk250 to Tk1,800, with the exception of one dish that is Tk5,000.
Ambiance
The Turkish Bazaar in Banani has a warm and welcoming atmosphere the moment you step inside, with crimson red and cerulean blue divans, a hardwood table dressed with a baked brown tablecloth with sandy undertones and Turkish porcelain placed on the wall, all of which combine to make you feel as though you are in your own living room.
Mehedi Hasan/Dhaka Tribune
Mehedi Hasan/Dhaka TribuneChallenges
Having been around for over a decade, this 13-year-old restaurant stayed afloat during the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020 due to gaining initial momentum and a loyal customer base.
“We had a tough time during the pandemic for sure, but picked back up slowly with deliveries,' said Haque
Having kept their prices the same all this while, they increased them recently during Ramadan.
“We had not increased our prices this entire time, only to realize that we had to increase our prices to keep up with the price increase for everything else,” He added.
Verdict
Even if you have tried a lot of kebabs this Ramadan, your iftaar feasts will not be complete until you have had the Turkish Bazaar's Mix Grill; believe us.
It's still around for a reason.
