Raater Kebab, true to its name, is a street stand located in Gulshan, offering restaurant-quality kebabs at half the price, till 4am. In Dhaka, where cravings for delectable kebabs strike at any hour, Raater Kebab fills that void between 6pm and 4am.
While debates may arise regarding the efficacy of word-of-mouth advertising, the bustling activity surrounding Raater Kebab stands as a testament to its rapid popularity. Should your late-night kebab cravings arise, Raater Kebab stands ready to appease them. Does it live up to its culinary reputation? Indeed, it certainly did for us.
Food
The kebabs were served hot and fresh from the grill with luchi (deep fried flatbread), two types of chutney that enhanced the flavour of each bite. Puffed luchis,, were served on the side for our carb fix, and the irresistible aroma wafted right off the cuff.
The reshmi kebabs were our first course; they were succulent and flavorful without being flimsy; the texture was perfect; and the lightly charred outside was delicious, thanks to the skillful grilling over charcoal.
The flavour lingered for hours after eating the kebabs. They do not compromise on quality, with fresh cream, ground cashews, and almonds added, the kebabs are rich and creamy. With a side of luchi and a choice of two sauces—a crimson sauce with a hint of sweetness and a coriander and mint leaf sauce with a refreshing tang that complemented the flavours like no other—you have the whole gamut of flavours.
Following the reshmi kebabs, we had their tandoori chicken—a succulent cut of chicken marinated in a yoghurt and tandoori masala —arrived freshly grilled. The chicken was wonderfully soft and succulent. The tandoori chicken was delicious with or without the luchis and chutney; however, the generous quantities of red chilli powder, cayenne pepper, kashmiri red chilli powder, and turmeric used in the seasoning really brought out the flavours in every bite. Particularly effective were the spice and marinade.
The next kebab in line, the beef boti kebab was prepared using boneless meat, yoghurt, raw papaya, and spices. As expected of boti, the kebabs were cooked to perfection and had a slightly malleable texture. Granted, I'm not the biggest fan of boti kebabs, but I did enjoy the savoury combination of these with the chutneys; the chopped cubes were cooked just right, and the botis went wonderfully with the chutneys and added tang to the savoury kebabs. Botis fans will particularly enjoy these, as they are similar in texture to regular botis.
Finally, to round out our kebab feast, we enjoyed their grilled chicken drumsticks marinated in a mixture of spices, including paprika, oil, garlic, and their own blend. Snacking on those delicious morsels while clinging on the drumstick was a delightful experience. Because the drumstick is excellent on its own, the need for chutney or luchi is merely a bonus. Having said that, the chutneys and luchi were thoughtful additions that enhanced the flavour of every kebab, which we greatly appreciate.
Reasonably priced kebabs at Raater kebab start at Tk140 and go all the way up to Tk250.
Ambience
You can easily locate the Raater Kebab street cart on Google Maps; located amidst the bustling street of Gulshan 2 circle, behind the landmark building. The charm of this street cart lies in its perpetual buzz, operating tirelessly from 6pm until 4am when it finally closes.
Evenings at Raater Kebab offer the perfect opportunity to indulge in the tantalizing aroma of freshly grilled kebabs while observing the skilled chefs expertly maneuvering the charcoal grill.
Verdict
What more could one ask for than the opportunity to relish restaurant-quality kebabs at a fraction of the cost? It's been quite some time since we've enjoyed reshmis as delectable as these, even from the most renowned restaurants. The chicken tandooris were equally delightful. Trust us when we say, Raater Kebab should be your top choice the next time those kebab cravings hit, especially during those late-night hunger pangs.
If you're seeking to avoid the rush-hour traffic that floods Dhaka's streets after work, traveling late at night, even if it means residing a bit further away, presents the ideal solution.
