Shorshe Ilish
The national fish in fiery mustard sauce
Think of it as: Like mackerel in a wasabi-strength mustard gravy
Delicious. Bring patience for the bones.
What does it taste like?
Pungent, slightly bitter mustard with rich, oily fish.
SweetSpicySourSaltyFunkSmellTextureSoft and flaky
What is it?
Hilsa, Bangladesh's national fish, simmered in a sharp mustard-seed sauce. The rich, oily fish and the nose-tingling mustard are a legendary match.Source: Wikipedia
How locals eat it
Spooned over plain rice and eaten by hand, picking out bones as you go. A monsoon-season treat.
Watch it
More videos on YouTubeWhere is it from?
🇧🇩Bangladesh
CapitalDhaka
Populationabout 177 millionestimate (unverified)
IndustriesTextiles and garments, Agriculture (rice, jute), Remittances
Famous peopleRabindranath TagoreBengali poet who wrote the national anthem
HelloAssalamu alaikum (Bengali)
CurrencyTaka
And JapanJapan has long been one of Bangladesh's biggest aid partners.
Fun factIt's home to the Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove forest and a Bengal tiger stronghold.
The flag🇧🇩 Green stands for the lush land; the red disc for the blood of the independence war and the rising sun.
From Tokyoabout 4,880 kmstraight line, Tokyo to Dhaka
Getting thereabout 10 hours+ (with a connection)rough guide
✈ Check cheap flights Best timeThe cool, dry months of November to February are best. Also tryBiryaniPanta bhat (soaked rice)Pitha (rice cakes)
✈ Check cheap flights Best timeThe cool, dry months of November to February are best. Also tryBiryaniPanta bhat (soaked rice)Pitha (rice cakes)
🇧🇩 Sounds & life in Bangladesh
আসসালামু আলাইকুমHello（Assalamu alaikum (Bengali)）
Bengali script
Bengali script
Right now…
AnthemAmar Shonar Bangla (My Golden Bengal)
MusicBaul Soulful songs of wandering mystic minstrels
Listen on YouTube SportCricket World HeritageThe Sundarbans and more National animalBengal tiger National flowerWater lily (shapla) FestivalPohela Boishakh (around April 14, Bengali New Year)
MusicBaul Soulful songs of wandering mystic minstrels
Listen on YouTube SportCricket World HeritageThe Sundarbans and more National animalBengal tiger National flowerWater lily (shapla) FestivalPohela Boishakh (around April 14, Bengali New Year)
Ingredients
- 4 hilsa steaks
- 3 tbsp black and yellow mustard seeds
- 4 green chillies
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 3 tbsp mustard oil
- 1 tsp salt
Can't find it? Hilsa is hard to find outside South Asia; mackerel or herring work.
How to make it (one way)
- Soak the mustard seeds, then grind them with a green chilli and a pinch of salt into a paste.
- Rub the fish with turmeric and salt.
- Heat mustard oil in a pan, add the paste and some water, and bring to a simmer.
- Add the fish, cover, and cook for about 10 minutes.
- Finish with slit green chillies and a drizzle of mustard oil. Serve with rice.
⚠️ Hilsa is full of fine bones. Take care, especially with kids.