At Abul Hasnat Road in Satraowza, Old Dhaka, the enticing scents of freshly cooked paratha and hearty halim waft through the narrow alleys every afternoon during Ramadan. Ananda Confectionery, a bakery steeped in a century-old legacy, bustles with customers partaking in a culinary heritage passed down for generations.
Established in 1920, this beloved bakery has become a household name in Old Dhaka and neighboring areas. Drawing patrons from all corners of the capital city, its traditional iftar offerings, crafted from time-honored family recipes, attract food enthusiasts who travel from far and wide to indulge in its renowned delicacies.
During Ramadan, a diverse array of delectable treats awaits customers at Ananda Confectionery. Among the favorites are chicken tikka, chapli kebab, nimak para, chicken kofta, chicken paratha, tana paratha, paneer paratha, chicken drumstick, chicken cutlet, chicken sizzler, doi bora, firni, jilapi, and halim.
Mohammad Ramjan, who journeyed from Gazipur to purchase iftar delights for his family, expressed his delight, stating, “I have bought tana paratha and dudh malai and will get some more items. My family adores the traditional fare from this bakery.” He reminisced, “I grew up savoring their dishes. The taste remains unchanged.”
Similarly, Emtiazur Rahman, now residing in Hatirpool but with roots in Old Dhaka, emphasized the significance of visiting the shop during Ramadan, sharing, “Ramadan feels incomplete without coming here for their halim, jilapi, and other specialties. Despite the hustle of daily life, I make it a point to visit three to four times during Ramadan to indulge in my favorite treats.”
Nayeem Ahmed from Wari rediscovered the bakery’s jilapi recently and returned for more, praising its deliciousness. He remarked, “I found it extremely tasty, so I came back for more.”
Throughout Ramadan, Ananda Confectionery offers approximately 60 different items daily, with top choices including sutli kebab paratha, murg musallam, beef halim, jilapi, and chicken lollipop. The shop also attracts prominent figures in the food industry, like Haji Babul, owner of the renowned Nanna Biriyani, who was spotted purchasing iftar delights on a Sunday afternoon.
Junayed Ahmed, a descendant of the founding family and now in its fourth generation, recounted the bakery’s inception by his great-grandfather, Chan Mian, back in 1920. He shared, “The business originated in Faridpur under my great-grandfather’s guidance, later relocating to Raowza on a small scale before expanding gradually.”
In addition to its flagship store in Old Dhaka, Ananda Confectionery has branches at Jahangir Gate and Wari, operating from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm, with the main outlet extending its hours till midnight. Abdul Karim, also from the founding family’s third generation, emphasized the bakery’s commitment to tradition by focusing on retail sales and upholding quality standards over rapid expansion.