Opy (Bangladesh)
By
Issue Theme/Column:
World in Dishes
As the sun sets, spreading the last golden rays over the bustling streets, the street becomes less busy than the rest of the day as many working people head home after a busy day. A group of students is relaxing in a roadside stall while waiting for their favorite treat: Fuchka. The air is filled with the aroma of spices and the rhythmic sound of retreating crowds across the streets. The students are chatting about their daily lives, laughing loudly, forgetting the tiredness of the day. It’s been a tiring day for all of them. Amidst the laughter and conversation, suddenly, a student asks the shopkeeper to make her Fuchka the spiciest. The shopkeeper cordially accepts the request. From his experience, he knows how much spice is enough for the girl. At last, hot Fuchka is finished, now served for the students; they are requesting extra sour water. The students start eating the Fuchka while still chatting. To enjoy the full taste of Fuchka, you can't eat one with several bites; you must eat a Fuchka in one bite, and it is a food that demands eating quickly. The quicker you eat, the better the taste you can enjoy. The students finish eating a plate, now demanding a second. The shopkeeper becomes busy making a second round. If anyone ever asks Bengali girls what their favorite snack is, every Bengali girl will give only one answer, and it is Fuchka. From the city to remote villages, the girls’ all-time favorite is Fuchka. Even now, with burgers, pizzas, and so many fast foods available, they all lose to the all-time winner. Fuchka is a crispy fried hollow ball made of wheat flour filled with mashed potatoes, yellow peas with aromatic spices, served with sour water made with tangy tamarind, lime, and spicy peppers. This water is given inside the Fuchka before eating. As the second round of Fuchka arrives, the students continue to savor the flavors. Their laughter, now accompanied by the streetlights, echoes in the air of the dawn.