Khilgaon Iftar market draws huge crowd

Khilgaon, also known as restaurant para, is a favourite place for foodies. In the holy month of Ramadan, people crowd the Iftar market from Khilgaon’s Pallima Sangsad to Taltala Market at Malibagh Chowdhurypara.

Roadside shops and restaurants in the area usually attract a good crowd all the year round. But during the month of fasting, people flock to the Iftar market as restaurateurs offer different discounts by arranging numerous delicious cuisines.

There are also rooftop restaurants with the beauty of surroundings with open space and sky view. These restaurants sell separate iftar items as well as offer buffet packages. Packages of 40–50 items are sold between Tk 600 and Tk 1,000. Iftar buffet is full of everything from fried rice to desserts.

Alif, a private university student who came to Basilico Restaurant at Chowdhurypara with his friends, said, “Today we have gathered here for iftar. The restaurants in this area are quite good. Their iftar items are also affordable. So, we all come here.”

A crowd of people is seen inside the restaurants during the Iftar time. Besides, buyers flock to roadside makeshift shops to buy Iftar items for their home.

Many people are buying different types of Iftar items to get a variety of tastes along with home food. "I break my fast every day at home and buy some halim, chicken chop, and jillapi from here to change the taste," said a shopper.

Khilgaon Iftar Market offers Khasir Kachchi, Tandoori Chicken, Phirni, Keema Parota, Beef Tehari, Chicken Roast, Chicken Biryani, Ast Morog Roast, Beef Chap, Beef Roast, Khasir Roast, Beef Boti, Chicken Fry, Borhani, Jorda, Khasir Haleem, Beef Haleem, Chicken Shashlik, Chicken Lollipop, Jali Kabab, Drumstick, Tika Kebab, Bombay Jilapi, Reshmi Jilapi, Bundia, Luchi Parotta, Laccha Parotta, Naan Roti, Beef Rezala, Khasir Rezala, onions, eggplant, potato chops etc.

Some are buying jilapi, and some are buying halim and lacchi. Talking with a young man named Alif, he said, "Taltala is famous for various Iftar dishes. A variety of iftar items, including good quality Halim, Beguni, Kabab, Jilapi, Egg, and Potato chop are available here.”

Depending on the types of restaurants, the prices of iftar items have been fixed. After noon, roadside shops, hotels, and restaurants start selling Iftar items. The common people crowd these hotels and restaurants to buy delicious food items with different tastes.

Vendors around Khilgaon Taltala City Corporation Super Market said that their sales are good. Special faluda seller Ramzan said, “I only sell Faluda. Every day, 50–60 faludas are being sold. I am doing fairly good business.”

The crowd of customers is seen in almost all the shops. Haleem seller Azgar Ali said, “Business is good. I sell haleem, soup, noodles, nehari, paya, and other items. But haleem is the most sold item among others.”

The area is a bit open and offers a quiet, natural environment. Rumman Ahmed who came to spend time with his friends said, “I was looking for a calm place to have Iftar and chat with friends. At these restaurants in Khilgaon, you can chat for a long time after breaking your fast without any trouble.”

Rafin Al Baker's house is at Kamalapur. He works as a manager of a showroom in Khilgaon. Every day on his way back home from the office, he buys iftar items from Khilgaon. He said, "All types of Iftars are available here as per the demand. Taste is also excellent. So, my first choice for buying Iftar items is Khilgaon Iftar Bazar.”

The employees of King City fast food shop are sitting inside Khilgaon Taltala Market with a variety of Iftar dishes.

Mahathir, who is in charge of managing the shop, said that the Taltala market has always been famous for Iftar. A variety of food is available here. They hope that the sales will meet their expectations.

But many people say that the prices are higher than the previous year. Fruit juice seller Fahim said, "The prices of all kinds of liquid in the market are high. So, the prices of iftar items are a little bit higher than last year.”