Dhaka University Fuchka and Chotpoti Stalls

The fuchka and chotpoti stalls around Doyel Chattar and the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC) area of the University of Dhaka, in Shahbagh, Dhaka, Bangladesh, form one of the capital's best-loved street food scenes. These are informal clusters of vendors rather than a single restaurant, and the mix of stalls varies from day to day. The campus is the historic heart of Dhaka's student life and political culture, and the vendors have long fed students, teachers and passers-by. The cuisine is Bangladeshi street snacks. Fuchka, known elsewhere in South Asia as pani puri or golgappa, consists of crisp hollow shells filled with spiced mashed potato, chickpeas and tamarind water. Chotpoti is a tangy, spicy chickpea and potato dish, often topped with egg, onion and coriander and served on a small plate. Jhalmuri is a mix of puffed rice, chilli, onion, mustard oil and spices tossed to order, and cha, the sweet milky tea, is the usual closing drink. These snacks are the emblematic street foods of Dhaka, and eating them on campus is a rite for many residents. Prices are very low, at Tk 30-100 (approx USD 0.25-0.8) a serving, so a sampling of several snacks costs little. The atmosphere is lively, crowded and youthful, with students gathering in groups, loud conversation and vendors calling out. There is no seating in the usual sense; people stand or sit on low stools and eat quickly. There is no dress code, though modest clothing is normal on a university campus. There is no alcohol. Reservations do not apply, and stalls operate on a first-come basis. The stalls are busiest in the late afternoon, and they typically close around 8PM, though hours vary by stall. Visitors with sensitive stomachs should choose stalls that are busy, since turnover keeps ingredients fresh, and should avoid tap water and ice. Carrying small notes in taka helps with quick payments, and the area is a short ride from central Dhaka.