ICCB Iftar Bazar brings Old Dhaka delicacies

Shawdesh desk:

Fasting devotees of new Dhaka now can avoid the hassle of visiting the old town braving sweltering heat and traffic jam as ICCB Puran Dhaka Iftar Bazar, opened at International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB), is offering them a plethora of options for Shahi Iftar items.

On Tuesday, the first day of the holy month of Ramadan, the eighth edition of the Iftar market drew a large crowd with all kinds of specialities of Old Dhaka under the same roof.

Classy people thronged the bazaar to satiate their thirst during Iftar choosing from a wide variety of traditional items while stall owners were also careful about the quality of their prepared items.

“We prepare all our Iftar items maintaining the highest standard of hygiene. We have a separate team to check the quality of our food. Therefore, customers completely rely on us while purchasing Iftar items. I don’t know whether any other Iftar outlet of the country maintains similar standards or not,” Md Jasim Uddin, in-charge of ICCB Heritage Restaurant, told the Daily Sun.

According to him, all the 50 Iftar items, including Mutton Kacchi Biryani, Whole Chicken Masallam, Mutton Leg Roast, Chicken Reshmi Kebab, Mutton Jali Kebab, Whole Chicken BBQ, Beef Garlic, Rosh Malai, Tiler Jilapi, Burhani and Laban, they are bringing this year are special.

Some 15 catering companies, including ICCB Heritage Restaurant, are participating in the bazaar with numerous food items at 32 stalls.

Since the first arrangement of Puran Dhaka Iftar Bazar, people from different parts of new Dhaka have put their trust in the quality and taste of foods maintained by the stalls at the ICCB.

Engineer Abdur Rahman Sabuj came to the ICCB with her wife and three children and bought Shahi Iftar items of their choice.

“It’s almost impossible to go to Chawkbazar avoiding mad traffic and hot weather to buy Shahi Iftar items. ICCB Puran Dhaka Iftar Bazar has relieved me of this hassle. This is a beautiful arrangement where I can buy quality Iftar items from an array of items at a reasonable price,” he told the Daily Sun.

A variety of items make it easier for customers to choose their favourite dishes and they can taste different items throughout the month of Ramadan.

Fol Bazar, an outlet that offers live juice items to customers, has brought a number of juice items.

Fol Bazar Director Ahsan Sheikh said, “We’re preparing pineapple, banana and apple juice now. We will bring a total of six to ten types of juice, including grape, orange and watermelon, from tomorrow (Wednesday).”

Though many of the devotees choose to take Iftar with the homemade food on the first day of Ramadan, ICCB Puran Dhaka Iftar Bazar witnessed a big crowd on Tuesday.

Reaz Ahmed Talukder, sales and marketing manager of Master Chef Subrat Ali Catering, said their Bundia, Reshmi Jilapi and Haleem were finished by 4:30pm.

Besides, owners and salespersons of Foodu Goodu, Jasim Uddin Catering, Roshui Ghor, Nazila’s Kitchen and Catering and Premier Catering also said the ICCB Puran Dhaka Iftar Bazar has gained momentum this year from the first day of Ramadan.