Bhorta · Humble Bangladesh Food Icon

I have been exploring Bangladeshi food by roaming around Desker Road, Singapore's Little Bangladesh.

10 Bangladesh Food to Try in Singapore

There are about 160,000 Bangladeshis living in Singapore (2020 statistics), most of whom are construction and marine industry labourers. Most are housed in dormitories. 

The gathering place for the Bangladeshi community in Singapore is along Desker Road which is nicknamed "Little Bangladesh". Bangladeshis come here for hometown food and groceries on weekends and public holidays, hence they call this area "Mini Mart".

Hilsa / Illish · National Fish of Bangladesh

Hilsa, also known as illish is the national fish of Bangladesh and state fish of the neighbouring Indian state of West Bengal. It is known as ikan terubok in Malay and 刺殼魚 in Chinese.

Hilsa plays a big part in Bengal culture, both in Bangladesh and in the Indian state of West Bengal. Over 80% of the world's hilsa are fished in Bangladesh (but stocks are depleting fast due to overfishing).

History of Desker Road · One of Singapore's Most Colourful & Historic Streets

Desker Road is one of Singapore's oldest and most colourful streets. In the old days, pubescent schoolboys trying to act beyond their age will whisper Desker Road in hush tones and when teasing one another 😳 Why? Let's find out 🤔

Desker Road

Nearest MRT: 5 minutes walk from Jalan Besar station | 5 minutes walk from Farrer Park station 

Hours: Desker Road never sleeps

Mughlai Paratha Fried Bread Fit for a King @ Boishakhi Restaurant in Singapore

Mughlai Paratha is a fried bread from Bangladesh. We can find them freshly made at Singapore's Little Bangladesh. This was my first time tasting Mughlai Paratha and it was an interesting alternative to the ubiquitous more common roti prata and murtabak in Singapore.

(Note: I came back here many times since this post.)

Restaurant name: Boishakhi

Address: 18 Desker Road, Singapore 209556

Nearest MRT: 10 minutes walk from Farrer Park station

Tel: 9829 6003

Hours: 11:00am - 10:00pm

Bangladesh Kacchi Briyani & Borhani @ Fakruddin Restaurant in Desker Road Singapore

I've passed this way many times but if not for Jason and Alex, I would never have known the good food inside Fakruddin Restaurant at Desker Road. The restaurant is barebones, and the food is not cheap even by Singapore standards e.g. kacchi briyani costs $13 a serving but Fakruddin is one of the go to places for Bangladeshis in Singapore for a taste of home.

Stall name: Fakruddin Restaurant

Address: 8 Desker Road, Singapore 209552

Nearest MRT: Farrer Park station

Tel: 9009 2694

Hours: 11:30am - 8:30pm

History & Where to Buy Betel Nut & Paan in Singapore 槟榔

Gloria Lai posed the question on Facebook, "Name a dish that was once eaten in the 60s and 70s but has disappeared in the last generation or two". It attracted over 1,200 replies e.g. ice ball, malt candy, pickled papaya, etc. Then, I remembered something which was pervasive up to the 1970s and then more or less completely disappeared in Singapore and Malaysia - betel nut (known in Hindi as paan).

Little Bangladesh Food Trail @ Desker Road Singapore

Today, we had a most interesting day in Singapore's unofficial "Little Bangladesh" with Jason and Alexandra (known to her friends as Alex).

Usman Restaurant. What to Eat in Singapore Little India

Buddy EJ brought me to Usman Restaurant in Singapore's Little India. EJ had been eating here for nearly 20 years and his raving about Usman's "white nasi briyani" got me excited. I am a nasi briyani fan and had never even heard of "white briyani" before, till now.