There’s no two ways about it. The undisputed king of all biryanis, the most addictive biryani is the formidable kacchi biryani.
Tender chunks of mutton sliding off its bones, aloo waiting to be mashed, aloo bukhara peaking through the rice, and a depth of flavour that itself can be a standalone dish. Think a medley of flavours that is nothing short of pure, unbridled ecstasy – that’s what a true blue kacchi biryani means to any kacchi biryani purist.
Our nationwide obsession with kachhi means it’s served at weddings, celebrations and any occasion that is a cause for joy. This isn’t just any other run-of-the-mill biryani – it’s art on a plate, a party in your mouth. India’s Hyderabadi biryani? Doesn’t stand a chance. Kolkata’s kacchi biryani? Not even close. You can’t touch the Bangladeshi kacchi biryani, and that’s a fact. No city rivals Dhaka for its beloved, soul-satisfying kacchi and that’s something anyone who’s tasted kacchi can vouch for, that will have you perhaps, just maybe say, Ps. aloo you too.
It’s the kind of crowd-pleaser that’s guaranteed to work anywhere, any time.
A wedding? There’s got to be kacchi. A Friday family lunch? There’s kacchi. Even meeting your old friend over a no-nonsense, hearty, feel-good meal – you go get kacchi. On a diet and want to cheat on a meal that’s worth it? Nothing tops kacchi.
No matter how many times you’ve had it you’ll never say ‘that’s enough, no more for me.” The truth is, it’s never enough. It never will be. Kacchi biryani is like that one true lover that your heart hankers for forever, come hail or shine. Day after day, season after season, one wedding to the next, our love affair with kacchi biryani is a torch that burns forever.
While we can all agree on our passionate love for kacchi biryani, when it comes to who makes the very best, most addictive kacchi biryani, that’s a whole other ball game. No two kacchis are alike, and no biryani lover can ever agree on one. All it takes is one bad kacchi experience to completely write off a restaurant. Something as sacred as kacchi cannot not be done right, it’s almost blasphemous to serve a mediocre kacchi. When listing out the ‘best’ kacchi joints, expect nothing less than grueling rounds of discussion and heated debates. Today, we’re saving you the drama, and are rounding up some of the city’s best kacchi haunts.
The big daddy of kacchi restaurants sits in Puran Dhaka, the epicentre of the city’s oldest, most well renowned kacchi.
We could tell you about the way they scoop the biryani out of a giant handi, in front of a buzzing crowd just shovelling kacchi into their mouths. We could tell you that this seemingly fast-casual joint has stood there for longer than your time on earth. But we’re not here to talk details. We’re interested in the biryani itself. Their basmati kacchi is a no-nonsense, feel-good plate of perfection that guarantees a solid meat-to-rice ratio. Many claim that it is the ultimate kacchi spot, one that is worth the trek to Puran Dhaka.
Another Puran Dhaka classic, Nanna Biryani’s kacchi journey began with chef Nanna way back in the 60s. A family run affair, the restaurant is now helmed by his son, Haji Mohammad, who has kept the restaurant as thriving as ever before. At Tk. 170 per plate, the kacchi here is made with polao chaal and comes with two chunky pieces of mutton and very moist, fragrant rice. Some claim that if you live around Puran Dhaka, you should visit this biryani joint once a week, and if you don’t live there, you should still visit this place once a week.
Salam’s Kitchen
Now now, if there’s one restaurant we dare add to the list of most addictive biryanis it’s got to be Salam’s.
Originally starting off as a wedding caterer, their kacchi success has led them to having 4 branches across Dhaka, serving plate after plate of authentic, wedding-style kacchi biryani – where you get the full meat-falling-off-its-bone experience, complete with fragrant, but flavourful rice that has just the right amount of spice. Neither mushy or dry, but fluffy and light. This is a biryani you will struggle to find fault in, and one restaurant you’ll have less reservation recommending, regardless of how big of a biryani snob you may be.
While the best kacchi biryanis are undoubtedly made by wedding caterers such as the time honored Iqbal and Subrat Ali, when it comes to the kacchi restaurant craze, you can’t not add Sultan’s to the list. Having opened three branches in the span of a few years, these guys are here to stay. For those of you who love your kacchi rice to be spiced, this one’s for you. While some complain that their kacchi is dark and overladen with masala, others consider it their star quality. While ordering at Sultan’s, expect a generous serving of rice, two big chunks of meat and aloo to match. One portion is probably too much for a single person, but let’s just say, you will be sad to share. Be warned that theirs is the kind of biryani that you will need to polish off with a chilled glass of coke.
Truth be told, the most addictive biryani is the one that is all about the ingredients. Quality chunks of meat, fresh out-of-the-handi rice, a biryani with no fuss and yet, so much flavour. This could be Salam’s on a good day, or your mum’s biryani on your last birthday, or even that steaming plate you found on your road trip to Chittagong. The best biryani is like your star crossed lover – it leaves you both satisfied and wanting more, but it is also one that not everyone will love as much as you do.
To get your kacchi fix today, order now from www.foodpanda.com.bd to find out for yourself which biryani joints deserve a place in this list and which don’t.