People these days are getting used to taking iftar outside, not only for being stuck in traffic jam, but also for finding an occasion of sharing and get-together with friends and dear ones, breaking fast with special meals.
In Dhaka city, the first name that comes to mind when it comes to taking iftar outside is obviously Old Dhaka’s Chawkbazar. People rush there to relish traditional dishes but they are not always sure about hygiene maintained there.
To address the dilemma faced by people in search of hygienic foods with a touch of tradition, shops selling iftar items at Bailey Road can be an alternative. Here, unlike Chawkbazar, iftar delicacies are not sold in the open while the variety of food is overwhelming.
The shops at Bailey Road sell fast foods throughout the year but during Ramadan they turn into iftar selling outlets. A number of renowned shops are there which have been selling iftar since the 1980s.
During visit to the area, around 100 types of iftar items were found selling at the shops. Among them are Beef Kebab, Doi Bora, Beef Stick, Mutton Stick, Deshi Roast, Piece Roast, Mutton Leg Roast, Chicken Curry, Lamb Roast, Halim, Suti Kebab, Grill Chicken, Kima Parata, Tana Parata, Jail Kebab, Spring Roll, Chicken Cutlet and Reshmi Kebab.
People not only from Bailey Road and its surrounding area, but also from other parts of the city are crowding the shops there to buy their favorite dishes.
Abidur Rahman, 50, came from Mirpur area to buy iftar items for his family. Talking to Dhaka Tribune, he said: “Few years ago I would often go to Chawkbazar to buy iftar for my family. But for the last three years, I have been buying ifter items from this place as these foods are hygienic compared to those sold in other places of the city.”
“I have bought Shahi Jilapi and Special Halim along with other iftar items. My daughters love Jilapi,” he said, smiling.
Rahela Begum from Shantinagar, who bought Reshmi Kebab, Beef Kebab, Mutton Leg Roast and Chicken Grill, said: “Since 2005, we have been buying iftar items from this market. Although the price here is little bit high, we buy from here as the food items are delicious and good for health.”
Faisal Alam, a private job holder from Tikatuli, came here to buy iftar items for a party with his friends.
He said: “We [he and his friends] are going to have our iftar get-together at our mess [rented house where they live in] today. That’s why I have come here to buy a number of items. These foods are much better as the sellers are careful about quality."
Sharfuddin, proprietor of Capital Iftar Bazar at Bailey Road, claimed that he was the first to start selling iftar items in a store around 30 years ago.
“Now we are selling more than 100 items including a number of unique iftar items like Chicken Finger Sticks,” he said.
Deepu Ahmed, manager of Nawabi Voj, another popular iftar shop at Bailey Road, said that they were selling around 50 iftar items at their shop having 90 staff.
“We have been offering delicious iftar items with the taste of Old Dhaka’s tradition as well as new Dhaka’s luxury. That’s why people from different parts of the city as well as outside Dhaka are coming here to buy iftar dishes,” he said.
