Surma & Mini Chinese Restaurant

Surma & Mini Chinese Restaurant is an established eatery in front of the Pauro Market on the east side of Joydebpur Railway Station, in Gazipur, Dhaka Division, Bangladesh. One blogger's account describes it as about 41 years old, which would make it one of the longer-running restaurants in Joydebpur, though the figure should be treated as an estimate. The setting is the busy station and market area, where trains, rickshaws and shoppers keep the streets active from morning to night. The menu combines two traditions. On the Bangladeshi side, the restaurant is known for khasir paya, a slow-cooked goat trotter stew with a rich, gelatinous gravy that is eaten with bread, as well as halim and tandoori-style chicken. On the other side sit the Chinese-Bangladeshi dishes that have become standard in Bangladeshi town restaurants, such as fried rice and noodles with chicken or vegetables. Khasir paya is the dish most associated with the venue and the one worth ordering for a taste of local cooking. The dining room is a straightforward town restaurant: simple furniture, ceiling fans or air movement, quick service and a lively but not formal atmosphere, with no dress code. Families, market traders and commuters from the station all eat here. There is no alcohol or wine programme, as is usual for Bangladeshi restaurants; tea, soft drinks and bottled water are the standard drinks. The restaurant does not take reservations, and walk-in service is the norm, so there is no need to plan ahead except to avoid peak lunch and dinner times. Prices are in the budget range, typically a few hundred taka per person, with shared plates costing less than a full set meal. Hours are typically late morning to 10 or 11 PM, but should be confirmed locally. Its position beside the railway station makes it practical for travellers arriving or leaving by train, and it can be combined with a walk through the adjacent Pauro Market. Visitors who prefer lighter food can choose the Chinese dishes, while those wanting a regional specialty should try the paya, ideally in the cooler months when the dish is most popular.