Food

Padma and Meghna Hilsa

পদ্মা-মেঘনার ইলিশ

Fresh hilsa landed on Shariatpur's rivers, fried, curried or steamed in mustard.

At a glance

Where: Shariatpur district, Dhaka division
Where to try: Fish markets and eateries in Naria, Jajira and Gosairhat
Best time: monsoon (Jun–Jul) and autumn (Aug–Sep)

With the Padma on its north and the Meghna to the east, Shariatpur is surrounded by some of the best hilsa water in the country. Fishing ghats around Naria and Gosairhat are busy in the season. Cooks fry the fish crisp, cook it in mustard gravy, or wrap it in banana leaf to steam. It is at its richest in the monsoon.