#fuchka

It’s been four years since I’ve gone to Bangladesh. I was anticipating that the COVID-19 issue would change everything in my country. When I went there, I noticed a lot of distancing and people wearing masks. Despite a lot of deaths, there were still a lot of people. I had internal fear that some of my family members weren’t vaccinated due to being underage.

I don’t really visit Bangladesh often due to ticket expenses. I visit only every three to four years. I don’t have a set time when I visit. Otherwise I go, because my parents want to see their families. We only get to go for a month or two due to employment reasons. American workers have limited vacation time.

Luckily, Inshallah, my health was alright. I didn’t have any illness. No Delta virus. So I managed to stay safe, and be cautious about my surroundings and the food that I ate.

Quite a bit of shopping went around. I was planning on buying traditional outfits and Western outfits. I bought tailored salwar kameez, long tunic tops (Westernized tops made appropriate for Muslim attire) and palazzo pants. I came across the beauty and intricacy of these outfits. These are probably difficult to find in America.

This is an example of a tailor shop showing a variety of outfits.

I also came across the food. The food in Bangladesh varies a lot. There is traditional cuisine, which is usually rice with fish or meat curries, or varieties of paratha with lentil soups and stews. There are even foreign cuisines like Chinese, Western and Indian. Even chain restaurants like Burger King, Pizza Hut, Herfy’s and Nando’s are popular. But you wouldn’t expect the Golden Arches of McDonald’s there. There are Bengali snacks like fuchka, chatputi, toast biscuits, milk tea, salted powdery biscuits, and mithai sweets.

My favorite snack is fuchka so far.

Top Left to bottom right: Breaded Shashlik Kebab, Amriti Jalebi, Mithai sweet variety, fish and chips, coconut water, beef filled pastries, Pizza Hut’s Cheesy Garlic Bread, Chai.

DAHI PHUCHKA - FROM THE STREETS OF KOLKATA (INDIA)

Momo 24/7/30/12

Fuchka during bikalbela or when I am in pujor bhir or tbh 23/6