Bangladesh's fiery, inventive spin on rice
BBCBangladesh's fiery, inventive spin on rice Ihsan Eesa/Alamy Combining two of Bangladesh's greatest loves – rice and spice – jhal muri is a pungent snack prepared with drama by street-side vendors with cult followings. He says jhal muri in Bangladesh's second largest city, Chittagong, is the spiciest – and noticed a unique phenomenon he terms "the muri-wallah's swag". "It's great to eat jhal muri while hanging out with friends, because its sour, spicy and sweet taste with crispy feel creates an exuberant atmosphere," said Dhaka-based architect Nishat Tasnim Auroni, who notes that the easy recipe and accessible ingredients mean many households also prepare it at home to enjoy together. Ian Garlick / Lorenz Books/Anness Publishing Ltd In Saira Hamilton's cookbook, My Bangladesh Kitchen, jhal muri stands proudly as the first recipe Dr Latiful Bari, a food safety and hygiene expert from the University of Dhaka, says love for the snack is etched deeply in the country's collective identity: "Ask somebody what they'd like to have with their evening cup of tea, and if the answer is jhal muri, understand they are Bengali nationals."
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