Dining Nostalgia: Chattogram Edition

ILLUSTRATION: @the.colorjournal

I always enjoyed eating out but my options were limited. For those who don't know, Chattogram (more famously known as Chittagong) didn't really have too many restaurants or fast food places. There wasn't a BFC around every corner of the city. Having a good fried chicken would require us to travel to GEC Moar or atleast to Lalkhan Bazar. However, we didn't really mind the commute either as every outing was a festivity on its own.

Fortunately, most sentimental spots are still around to cater to us. So hop on this nostalgia train and follow along the trail of food options in CTG.

Naval's Piyaju

Tell someone from outside Chattogram about your hometown, there's a 99 percent chance they will respond with "Oh, tomader Naval er chhoto piyaju onek moja!" And it certainly is! A hot cup of tea and a plate of crispy piyaju with sliced onions beside the sea is the perfect comfort food combination.

But you see, to us it has never been about the taste of those little delicacies. It has been about finding something warm to munch on while letting the waves bring in a sense of comfort within ourselves.

Fuchka at Mimi Super Market

You might be angry at your tailor on Mimi's second floor for messing up your Eid outfit but you will still go to Hujur er Dokan for your fuchka fix. I don't think I have seen the mamas there ever not be busy preparing fuchka or blending sweet lassi in full volume. Even in the noise, when you munch down on your first bite, you'll be reminded that there is nothing a tok-jhaal flavour bomb cannot fix.

Dearly Ice Cream

Before Baskin Robbins came (and left) the city, Dearly was the ultimate spot for ice cream lovers. Even though their ice cream is basically, ahem, Kwality Ice Cream, there's just something about their Single Sundae or Banana Split being served in age-old transparent bowls you give at weddings. Speaking of weddings, this place has even witnessed a lot of family-supervised awkward matchmaking happen over ice cream cones.

Sugar Bun's Meal 1

Fast food and Sugar Bun go hand in hand when it comes to CTG. Mommy's logic: Fried chicken is unhealthy but pair it with fried rice and your child's dinner is sorted. That's why Sugar Bun's Meal 1 is a popular order. Consisting of one piece fried chicken, savoury rice, a vegetable salad and a drink, this meal is sure to fill you up. By the way, if you're that one person who orders some other meal that comes with French fries, be prepared to share.

Bangla Cuisine at Hotel Zaman

Even though Hotel Zaman's food quality has deteriorated over the years, it has become a must-visit among tourists when they want to try out the port city's fish items. Their pomfret fry, loitta shutki er dopiyaja and taki bhorta with plain rice are a delight! Don't be surprised to find their biriyani on the table even if you're invited as a guest at someone's house.

P.S. If you're looking for authentic Mezbaani food, they serve it every Sunday too.

DFC's Spicy Fried Chicken

DFC is more famous among 90s kids. Their limited seating options and menu equal to cosier gatherings with your spicy food lover friends. The best part? Rupom bhai is always there to greet his decade-old customers with the biggest smile. He has seen more first dates and heartbreaks than you probably have seen in a Korean movie. However, when they serve up those piping hot fried chicken with the house special Korean spicy sauce, somehow, everything doesn't feel that bad.

Turn your bites into binges. Follow Ifreet Taheea on Instagram at @iffybiffys where she regularly writes on her foodventures.

Follow the artist on Instagram at @the.colorjournal