Haji biryani
Oldest biryani restaurant in Old Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Haji biryani, sometimes called Hajir biryani, is a long-standing restaurant in Old Dhaka, Bangladesh, known for its chevon biryani—a dish of highly seasoned rice and goat meat. The establishment also serves borhani, a salted yogurt-based mint drink, along with soft drinks. What began in 1939 as a roadside food stall run by Haji Mohammad Hossain eventually grew into a fixture of Dhaka’s culture.
The business was founded by cook Haji Mohammad Hossain. After his death in 1992, his son Haji Mohammad Golam Hossain took over, keeping the style and tradition unchanged. Eventually, Golam grew weary of running the business and passed it to his own son, Haji Mohammad Shahed. The biryani is a distinct Bangladeshi preparation, not to be confused with Yemeni haneeth.
The restaurant has two confirmed branches. The main one is in Old Dhaka at 70 Kazi Alauddin Road, Nazira Bazar. Another is in Motijheel. A third branch at Jamuna Future Park has not been confirmed.
The recipe includes highly seasoned rice, chevon, mustard oil, garlic, onion, black pepper, saffron, clove, cardamom, cinnamon, salt, lemon, yogurt, peanuts, cream, and raisins. The recipe has been passed down through generations. Haji Mohammad Shahed has stated, “I have never changed anything, not even the amount of salt.”
Quick Facts
- Current Owner
- Haji Mohammad Shahed
- Previous Owner
- Haji Mohammad Hossain, Haji Mohammad Golam Hossain
- Food Type
- Chevon (goat's meat) biryani
- City
- Dhaka
- Country
- Bangladesh
- Seating Capacity
- 50
- Other Locations
- Motijheel
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The business was started in 1939 by a cook, Haji Mohammad Hossain. After his death in 1992, his son Haji Mohammad Golam Hossain took over and continued the family business without making any changes in style or tradition. Over time, Haji Mohammad Golam became tired of running the family business and handed it over to his son, Haji Mohammad Shahed. The dish is a distinct Bangladeshi preparation, not to be confused with Yemeni haneeth.
The recipe includes highly seasoned rice, chevon, mustard oil, garlic, onion, black pepper, saffron, clove, cardamom, cinnamon, salt, lemon, doi (yogurt), peanuts, cream, and raisin. The recipe has been handed down from the founder to his next generation. Haji Mohammad Shahed claimed, 'I have never changed anything, not even the amount of salt.'
Reader's Guide
Haji biryani holds significance as one of the oldest restaurants in Old Dhaka, having started as a roadside food corner in 1939. Its chevon biryani, made with highly seasoned rice and goat's meat, has become a cultural staple of Dhaka city. The restaurant's adherence to tradition—with the recipe passed unchanged through three generations—underscores its role in preserving local culinary heritage. The business also serves borhani, a salted mint yogurt drink, and soft drinks. With three branches (the main one in Old Dhaka at 70 Kazi Alauddin Road, Nazira Bazar, another in Motijheel, and a planned branch in Jamuna Future Park), Haji biryani remains a notable reference point for Bangladeshi cuisine. Its resemblance to Yemeni haneeth highlights cross-cultural culinary connections. The restaurant's legacy is maintained by Haji Mohammad Shahed, who insists on keeping the recipe identical to the original, even in the amount of salt.
Did You Know?
- Haji biryani was started as a roadside food corner in 1939 by Haji Mohammad Hossain.
- The restaurant sells chevon biryani (goat's meat with highly seasoned rice) and borhani (a salted mint yogurt drink).
- The recipe includes ingredients such as saffron, clove, cardamom, cinnamon, peanuts, cream, and raisins.
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