Eat · Shahbag and Ramna

Fuchka and chotpoti stalls near TSC (Dhaka University)ফুচকা ও চটপটি

Street fuchka and chotpoti near the university's Teacher-Student Centre in the afternoon: a cheap, spicy snack with students; choose a stall with a queue and skip if you cannot handle chilli or risk your stomach.

last order: unknowncounterBengali street foodNot field-verified

Key facts

Per person: BDT 20–120; from the menu, 2026 estimate
Hours: unknown
Walk in: before 14:00; easiest window
Seating: counter
Card: ask; carry cash
Getting there: Near the Teacher-Student Centre, Dhaka University (field-verify); 10 min walk

Go now?

Open?

Hours not published

Busy this hour

Estimate by hour below

Easiest walk-in

before 14:00

Reservations

Walk-in, no reservation

Per person (from the menu)

BDT 20–1202026 estimate · check

DirectionsWhat to order ↓

A student favourite
Cheap and spicy
Counter seating
Walk-in window: before 14:00
Queue risk: after 21:00
Halal
Menu with prices on Voykit

Highlights come from Voykit's own data and desk notes, not from reviews. Hover a tag to see its source.

Rules in force · 9Old Dhaka's lanes are blocked by rickshaws, stalls and op…

South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
Bangladesh ↗Apply for a visa only on the official government e-visa portal or at an embassy; lookalike sites charge extra, and the rules differ by nationality.
Bangladesh ↗Dress modestly in cities and near mosques: cover shoulders and knees, and women carry a scarf for mosques and shrines.
Bangladesh ↗Carry Bangladeshi taka in small notes; rickshaws, markets and small shops are cash-only, and foreign cards are not accepted everywhere.
Bangladesh ↗Political rallies, strikes (hartal) and blockades can close roads and cut mobile internet with little notice: check the news and your hotel before any transfer day and stay away from demonstrations.
Dhaka Division ↗Fridays are the weekend and the quietest day for traffic: Old Dhaka's monuments are calmer, though many shops and museums shorten their hours.
Dhaka ↗Old Dhaka's lanes are blocked by rickshaws, stalls and open drains, and many streets have no pavement: large suitcases go from the car to the door, never on a walk.
Dhaka ↗A 10 km ride in Dhaka can take an hour or more at almost any time: plan one cluster per outing, and never book a tight connection on the same day.

Actions

Map & directions

Google Maps Apple Maps Street View

Directions

From where I am

Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.

Plan

When you can walk in, what to order, how to pay

Walk-in windows

before 14:00: high15:00–19:00: highafter 21:00: risky

A walk-in lunch is only planned as primary when your arrival lands outside the “impossible” window.

When to go, hour by hour

desk estimate · not live

Quietest listed hour: 15:00 (busy).

15:00busya short wait is possible
17:00heavyexpect a line
19:00heavyexpect a line

Desk estimate; busiest at meal peaks. No line length is on file, so waits are in words.

How to order here

The order of play at the counter or table, what to say, how much to order and how to pay.

No shared language? Point at the dish or a photo of it. For a printed menu, translate a photo of it.

What to say

In English	Say or show	Sounds like
Do you speak English?	আপনি কি ইংরেজি বলতে পারেন?	AP-ni ki ing-RE-ji BOL-te PA-ren
How much is this?	এটার দাম কত?	E-tar dam KOTO
Less spicy, please	ঝাল কম	jhal KOM
The bill, please	বিল দিন	bill DIN
Hello (Muslim greeting)	আসসালামু আলাইকুম	as-sa-LA-mu a-LAI-kum
Hello (general)	নমস্কার	no-mosh-KAR
Thank you	ধন্যবাদ	dhon-no-BAD

Paying and tipping

Sit-down restaurants: about 5–10%, less than the 15–20% US norm.

Confirm the price of a plate first.

Menu and prices

2026 estimate

Fuchka (crisp shells with potato, chickpeas and tamarind water)Plate of about 6 (2026 estimate).BDT 30–80if hungry
Chotpoti (spiced chickpeas with egg and tamarind)Plate (2026 estimate); ask for no egg if vegetarian.BDT 40–90if hungry
Jhalmuri (spiced puffed rice)Paper cone (2026 estimate).BDT 20–50if hungry

Build your order

Tap + on what you want, or let Voykit suggest a starting order.

2 people

Fuchka (crisp shells with potato, chickpeas and tamarind water)
BDT 30–80
Contains (from menu notes, check): wheat
0
Chotpoti (spiced chickpeas with egg and tamarind)
BDT 40–90
Contains (from menu notes, check): egg
0
Jhalmuri (spiced puffed rice)
BDT 20–50
Contains (from menu notes, check): peanuts
0

Food and drink

Nothing picked yet.

Menu prices are 2026 estimates (check the board or menu on the day).

Split the bill 2 ways

Pick dishes to see each person's share.

Sit-down restaurants: about 5–10%, less than the 15–20% US norm. Local custom: 5–10% if no service charge. Tipping calculator

Pick at least one dish to make the full-screen list.

Paying

Cashyes

Cardask

Diet and allergies

Yes means there is something for you; ask means possible with care; no means go elsewhere.

Vegetarianask
Fuchka and jhalmuri are vegetarian; chotpoti usually has egg.
Halalyes
Bangladesh is a Muslim-majority country and most places serve halal meat; ask if it matters to you.
Gluten-freeno
Fuchka shells are wheat.
Porkno
Pork is very rare in Dhaka restaurants, outside hotels and a few Chinese restaurants.

What is in the dishes

Fuchka (crisp shells with potato, chickpeas and tamarind water)wheat
Chotpoti (spiced chickpeas with egg and tamarind)egg
Jhalmuri (spiced puffed rice)peanuts

Read from the menu names and notes; recipes vary and cross-contact is not tested. Check with the kitchen.

Make an allergy and diet card for Dhaka →

Who it suits, booking, closures

goodSolo — —

cautionKids — Spicy and street water: skip for small children.

poorStroller — —

How to book: Walk-in.
How far ahead: Not applicable.
Dress code: None.

When	Status	Note
Varies; check on the day	check before you go	—

On the ground

Hygiene and comfort

Seating: Counter seats
Kids: kids' menu: no · stroller: poor · Not ideal for small children
Access: step-free: check · Street stalls; not accessible

Hygiene

Choose a stall with a queue and fresh chutney.
Avoid the tamarind water if you have a sensitive stomach: it is often made with tap water.

Facts

Reservations: Not taken — Street stalls; no reservation.
Capabilities: food
Getting there: Near the Teacher-Student Centre, Dhaka University (field-verify) · ~10 min walk

Cons

Stomach risk: water and chutneys are the usual cause.
Very spicy by default: ask for 'jhal kom' (less spicy).
Crowded and noisy; watch your phone and wallet.

Ordering helpDish glossary · Price check2 parts

Dish glossary

On the menu	What it is	Order it how
Fuchka	The Bangladeshi name for a crisp shell filled with potato and tamarind water.	Say 'jhal kom' for less spice.
Chotpoti	A plate of spiced chickpeas and potato, often with egg.	Say 'dim charra' (without egg).

Price check

2026 estimate

locals pay: Fixed small prices per plate; no bargaining.
tourist price: Occasionally higher for visitors: ask before eating.
rule: Confirm the price of a plate first.

Deep dive

Questions, nearby food and sources

Questions and answers

answered by Voykit editors · dated

Is it safe?

Street food carries a real stomach risk for visitors; eat only what is freshly made, or skip it.

Checked 2026-09-29 · Voykit desk

Where are the stalls?

Around the university's Teacher-Student Centre (TSC) and Shahbag; the stalls move, so ask a student or your driver (check).

Answers come from Voykit editors, not from other travellers.

All places to eat in Dhaka, with filters →

Nearby

Straight-line distance; walk time adds 30% for streets.

Used as a seated rest node in Dhaka in 4 days.

Sources

secondaryWikivoyage — Dhaka (eat)