Political chaos across the border has turned Kolkata's mini Bangladesh restaurants upside down. These food joints used to pack customers from the neighboring country every single day. Restaurant owners have watched their Bangladeshi clientele vanish almost completely. Most places have slashed production of traditional dishes from across the Padma River. Chinese noodles and tandoori items have started replacing classic Bangladeshi meals on dinner tables.
Kasturi restaurant has served authentic Bangladeshi food since 1994 but everything changed last year. Manager Rashid Ahmed Mallik says local customers make up 80 percent of his business these days. His kitchen used to prepare huge portions of morog polao and fish curry daily. The restaurant has cut back production of these signature dishes by nearly half. Chowmein has taken over the spot where steaming rice dishes used to shine.
The Bhoj Company used to buy more than 15 hilsa fish every day for their popular recipes. Manager Subir Das says they barely purchase two fish anymore for their shrinking customer base. Business has crashed to just one third of what it used to be before the turmoil started. Most restaurant owners report losing about 50 percent of their regular customers since the crisis began. Some warn they might have to print completely new menus without any Bangladeshi food if the situation continues.
Kasturi restaurant has served authentic Bangladeshi food since 1994 but everything changed last year. Manager Rashid Ahmed Mallik says local customers make up 80 percent of his business these days. His kitchen used to prepare huge portions of morog polao and fish curry daily. The restaurant has cut back production of these signature dishes by nearly half. Chowmein has taken over the spot where steaming rice dishes used to shine.
The Bhoj Company used to buy more than 15 hilsa fish every day for their popular recipes. Manager Subir Das says they barely purchase two fish anymore for their shrinking customer base. Business has crashed to just one third of what it used to be before the turmoil started. Most restaurant owners report losing about 50 percent of their regular customers since the crisis began. Some warn they might have to print completely new menus without any Bangladeshi food if the situation continues.
