I dedicate this article as my tasty memoir I had. “Illish Fish” is national fish of Bangladesh, and no other dishes in the entire world could have exceeded the taste of this special fish I had in Bangladesh’s southern division of Cox’s Bazaar. I know I cannot define my experience as in a video with Mark Wiens expressionism, but I can definitely transgress with words.
My tongue , my nose and the brains receptors were totally tantalized.
It was shiny summer of 2022, for my Vitamin-Sea Therapy, I choose Bangladesh’s Cox’s bazaar. A flight from Kathmandu to Dhaka and then to Cox’s Bazaar. The Bay of Bengal hits different here- the turquoise blue waters, the shallow oceans are apparent this side. And, Cox’s bazaar is tourist city in Bangladesh, specially designed during the the British Raj the city is now tourism destination for Bangladeshi people with lots of hotels and eateries. And, this place down south towards St. Marten’s Island is factory of lobster and Illish fish as well. Okay now to the food. I had never been happy eating this national dish of Bangladesh. After few sightseeing and my time at the ocean I was taken to a restaurant on the side of the highway overseeing the Bay of Bengal. Scorching sun of the afternoon, I decided to go inside but there was no Air Condition, however was satisfied to be under a shade.
Right before entering the restaurant, the guide told me “You will never forget the taste of Illish Fish you have in this restaurant!” He chanted that couple of times even after entering the restaurant. The restaurant is simple and old one which have tried to attract the bohemian vibes, but Bangladesh tries to keep it connected with it’s heritage and roots. Uninterestedly, I was placed on a table, where I was offered may be 7 course or 8 course non-veg sea food meals. Foods were coming, not realizing how tasty the food was by each dishes I finished. The specialty dish had yet to arrive.
And then after couples of dishes later which I don’t remember after how many-but were tasty enough (drums rolling) was the time for Illish Fish. As a National Food or the national fish of Bangladesh the dish was beautifully decorated. For European connoisseurs this dish might look unartistic and dull, I bet. But the looks of the dish is pleasing for a South Asian standard.
Once again before feasting into the food, the guide told me the fish is “throny”, I was made aware in his Bangladesh accent. I didn’t bother much, I cut the fish and with a fork I had my first bite of the Illish. My tongue, my nose and my brains receptors were completely tantalized. Like the saying “head over heals”, my taste buds sprouted with joy blustered with happiness and I could not resist the good aroma and taste. Disregarding the warning from my guide, I strongly chewed all the thrones. With the sides of onion chopped and special pickle, the fish tasted even more better. I was skewed into the tasty wonderland brought by the Illish. The saltness was so natural, as it’s sea water fish. Crunchy texture, scrumptiousness in every bite, the crumbs, the good smell. Everything about that food made me happy.
With a long shy, I reckon the food and it’s taste. How good it was and how I wish to have it again at the same restaurant with friends and family!!