“Sell potatoes, sell chickpeas, sell Bakarkhani,
But don’t sell, my friend, the apple of your eye.”
— Pratul Mukhopadhyay
When I hear the word Bakarkhani, the first place that comes to my mind is Old Dhaka. This traditional delicacy, deeply associated with Old Dhaka’s food culture, is no longer limited to the capital. Its taste and popularity have spread across different parts of Bangladesh.
*Captions : Bakarkhani and a cup of tea — an AI-generated image inspired by a beloved Bangladeshi food tradition.
My own journey with Bakarkhani, however, did not begin in Old Dhaka. I first heard the name from my former girlfriend, Suborna. At that time, I had no idea that this uniquely named snack would one day become one of my favorite foods!
In 2021, while I was living in Narayanganj, I finally got the chance to try it. I would often see crispy Bakarkhani being made at different shops around street corners. At first, I thought, “What could be so special about it?”
Out of curiosity, one day I bought some hot, freshly made Bakarkhani from a shop in Panchabati, Narayanganj. And after that first bite, my opinion completely changed! Crispy on the outside, layered in texture, and with a distinctive taste—it was quite different from anything I had tried before. Since then, Bakarkhani has become one of my favorite foods.
But my favorite way to enjoy it is in the morning. There is something incredibly satisfying about dipping or mixing pieces of Bakarkhani into a cup of hot tea. The slightly softened pieces soaking up the tea create a combination that I absolutely love.
Later, I also found Bakarkhani being made in different shops in Gazipur. I often buy it from there and enjoy it at home. Interestingly, though, I still haven’t had the opportunity to try the famous Bakarkhani of Old Dhaka. Hopefully, one day I’ll walk through the old streets of Dhaka and experience it for myself.
Bakarkhani also comes in different flavors. Generally, you can find lightly savory versions as well as slightly sweet ones. Personally, I prefer the lightly savory Bakarkhani. It suits my taste much better than the sweeter variety.
Bakarkhani has a rich history, and there are several stories and theories about its origin. Many historical accounts associate it with the culinary culture of Dhaka during the Mughal period, while various folk stories have also developed around its name and origins.
One popular legend connects the name Bakarkhani with Agha Baker and Khani Begum. However, the historical accuracy of this story is debated. There is no single universally accepted account explaining exactly when and how Bakarkhani originated.
Have you ever tried Bakarkhani?
