A PRIMER
HOW TO EAT
BANGLADESHI FOOD
If this is your first time having Bangladeshi food, welcome!
Bangladeshi meals are meant to be savored slowly, with each dish playing a specific role in a beautiful, balanced spread.
Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of your meal.
01: EVERYTHING REVOLVES AROUND RICE
Rice is the heart of every Bangladeshi meal. It’s not just a side — it’s the foundation. Every dish — frrom bhortha (mash) and dal (lentils) to bhaji (vegetable) and thorkari (curry) — is meant to be mixed with rice so that all the flavors are experienced in a balanced, perfect bite.
04: #EATWITHYOURHANDS
In Bangladesh, eating with your (right!) hand is a point of pride and connection. You don’t have to, of course, but we swear it makes the food taste better. Use your fingertips to gently mix the rice and curry together before lifting each bite. And remember — Amma says no food below the fingertips!
02: MEALS ARE EATEN IN COURSES
Bangladeshi meals have a natural rhythm. You begin with lighter dishes — bhorthas, dal, and vegetables — before moving into heartier fish, chicken, or meat curries, and finally something sweet to close the meal.
05: BALANCE IS EVERYTHING
A perfect Bangladeshi meal has heat, acidity, texture, and depth. Don’t be afraid to combine flavors — a bit of bhortha, a drizzle of dal, a piece of fish — all in one bite. Bangladeshi food is layered and aromatic, more about depth of flavor than pure spice.
03: DAL ISN'T A SOUP
It may look like one, but dal is not meant to be eaten on its own. Pour it over rice, mix well, and enjoy it with a bite of something spicy or fried for contrast like Amma’s aloo bhortha or rui mach bhaja.
06: TAKE YOUR TIME
Bangladeshi meals aren’t meant to be rushed. They’re communal, layered, and deeply comforting, so relax, dig in, and enjoy the journey.