Night out in Dhaka: Dynamics of Bangladesh never sleep
Seen is a view of a street in motion in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, at night after 10 p.m. on April 18. Korea Times photo by Jung Da-min
By Jung Da-min
DHAKA, Bangladesh — Bangladesh is a very dynamic country with one of the world's highest population densities of 1,015 per square kilometer for its 165 million population.
The country's largest city and capital Dhaka is a diverse city of vibrant culture, with thousands of Bangladeshi businesses and international corporations contributing to migration and population growth.
The streets in Dhaka are always filled with cars and people passing by, giving the impression the city itself is always in motion.
The heat of the capital does not turn off even at night, with many people still eating out, sitting and talking to each other on the streets.
Visiting the dynamic city during the Bangladesh government's week-long “Visit Bangladesh” tour program for a group of journalists, academics and envoys in mid-April, this reporter found a chance for an interesting night out with a local friend.
The streets of Dhaka at night, lit with neon signs and lights from high buildings, were much darker compared to the bright streets of Seoul, but they were still lively with people moving around.
Advancing through the streets, this reporter found many people out, sitting around and talking to each other even after 10 p.m.
A local friend and guide said it was normal for citizens to come home from work or school late at night and they like to chill out on the streets long after dark.
Buildings of university campuses were also filled with people for late-night political party gatherings and discussions, and students gathered all around the campus.
People sit and talk outside in a street in Dhaka.
People sit and talk inside a building in the campus of University of Dhaka for political party gatherings and discussions.
Dhaka street foods
Many people were also getting street food from vendors and small restaurants along the streets.
Among the various street foods, this reporter tried out a few different kinds: jhalmuri, chotpoti, fuchka, achars and coconut water.
The taste of jhalmuri was not so unfamiliar but rather similar to that of ramen ― an instant noodle snack with spicy sauce easily found in Seoul.
The popular Bengali street food loved by people of all age groups was made with puffed rice, onions and green chili.
Chotpoti is one of the most popular street foods in Bangladesh made with peas, potatoes, chopped boiled eggs, cucumber, red onions and other vegetables with panipuri shells stuffed with them and tamarind paste and chaat masala on top.
Fuchka is a slightly more condensed version of chotpoti and they usually are served together on one plate.
The combination of crispy panipuri shells and mushy ingredients inside adds to the fun of eating, giving a unique mouthfeel.
Achars are Bangladesh-style pickles made with different kinds of vegetables and fruit ― normally sour fruit ― mixed together and seasoned in oil.
The one this reporter tried with local boiled rice was sweet and sour, similar to South Korean pickled plums.
It is not too difficult to find coconut water in convenience stores in South Korea, but on the streets of Dhaka, you will get to drink from the coconut itself.
As the coconuts are loaded at vendors in streets they are not as cool as those from a refrigerator, but are sweet enough to fill you with energy.
People eat street food in Dhaka.
Seen is a bag of jhalmuri.
Seen is a plate of chotpoti and fuchka.
A vendor offers different kinds of achars.
A vendor offers coconuts filled with coconut water.