Bengali cuisine

Fried hilsa fish served over rice

Halva served with raisins and nuts

A bowl of mutton biryani

Bengali cuisine is the culinary style of Bengal, that comprises Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal, and Assam's Karimganj district.^[1] The cuisine has been shaped by the region's diverse history and climate. It is known for its varied use of flavours including mustard oil, as well as the spread of its confectioneries and desserts.^[2] There is a strong emphasis on rice as a staple,^[3] with fish traditionally the most common protein. Freshwater fish are preferred to seafish, although barramundi, known as bhetki, is also common.^[4] Meat is also a common protein among Bengalis with chicken, mutton meat being the most popular. Beef is popular within the muslim community. In more recent times, lentils have begun to form a significant part of the diet.^[5] Many Bengali food traditions draw from social activities, such as adda, Poila Boishakh and Durga Puja.

^ Jane Hinchey (2019). Bangladesh. Redback Publishing. p. 9. ISBN 9781925630831.
^ Joe Bindloss (2022). Lonely Planet India. Lonely Planet. p. 802. ISBN 9781837580330.
^ Utsa Ray (2015). Culinary Culture in Colonial India. Cambridge University Press. p. 151. ISBN 9781107042810.
^ Colleen Taylor Sen (2004). Food Culture in India. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 117. ISBN 9780313324871.
^ Ghulam Murshid (2018). Bengali Culture Over a Thousand Years. Niyogi Books. p. 428.

[1] Jane Hinchey (2019). Bangladesh. Redback Publishing. p. 9. ISBN 9781925630831.

[2] Joe Bindloss (2022). Lonely Planet India. Lonely Planet. p. 802. ISBN 9781837580330.

[3] Utsa Ray (2015). Culinary Culture in Colonial India. Cambridge University Press. p. 151. ISBN 9781107042810.

[4] Colleen Taylor Sen (2004). Food Culture in India. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 117. ISBN 9780313324871.

[5] Ghulam Murshid (2018). Bengali Culture Over a Thousand Years. Niyogi Books. p. 428.

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