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Famous product of Bangladesh

Shutki (dried fish) — Cox's Bazar, Chattogram, Kuakata and the haor

Sun-dried sea fish from Nazirartek and Kuakata, and freshwater shutki of the haor

Shutki is sun-dried fish, a staple from the Chattogram coast to the haor wetlands. Nazirartek in Cox's Bazar is the largest drying yard. Here are the main kinds, the pesticide problem, and how to judge safe shutki by look and smell.

From
Kishoreganj, Chandpur, Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Noakhali, Rangamati, Barguna, Bhola, Patuakhali, Habiganj, Sunamganj, Netrokona
In season
All year
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A close-up heap of small, pale golden sun-dried fish
Small dried fish at a shutki shop in Cox's Bazar Photo: RockyMasum · CC BY-SA 4.0

The story

Drying fish in the sun is one of the oldest ways of keeping a catch, and in Bangladesh it has become a cuisine of its own. Shutki has a strong, savoury smell that divides people, but for families in Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Noakhali, Sylhet and the haor districts a shutki bhorta or shutki curry is everyday comfort food. Most sea shutki is made in the dry months from late autumn to early spring, when the sun is strong and the air is low in humidity.

The biggest centre is Nazirartek, on the beach at the edge of Cox's Bazar town, where fish are laid on bamboo racks and mats across a stretch of coast covering many acres. Kuakata in Patuakhali, the islands and coast of Bhola and Barguna, and the fish markets of Chattogram are other major sources. Sea shutki comes in many kinds: loitta (Bombay duck), churi (ribbon fish), rupchanda (pomfret), lakkha (Indian salmon), poa and dried shrimp among them. Inland, the haor wetlands of Sunamganj, Habiganj, Netrokona and Kishoreganj produce freshwater shutki from small fish such as puti, and the famous chepa shutki, punti fish fermented in sealed earthen pots, which has a far stronger flavour than ordinary dried fish.

Shutki also has a known safety problem. Investigations and research over many years have found that some producers spray or dip fish in insecticides, including the long-banned DDT and other farm chemicals, to keep flies and maggots off while it dries and to stop insects in storage. Projects to promote safe, chemical-free drying have grown, and some sellers now offer shutki produced under such programmes, but chemical use has not been shown to have stopped, so buyers need to judge carefully.

How to spot the real Shutki (dried fish) — Cox's Bazar, Chattogram, Kuakata and the haor

Good shutki is fully dry, firm and slightly flexible, with natural colour for the species, a clean fishy smell and only a little salt. Signs of trouble are a sticky or damp feel, mould spots, larvae or small holes, or a rancid smell. On pesticides, there is no home test, but there are warning signs. In an open market, untreated shutki usually attracts some flies; a heap that flies avoid completely is suspicious. Be wary of fish that look unnaturally bright or white, have a powdery coating, or give off a sharp, chemical smell rather than a fishy one. Rinsing and soaking shutki in warm water before cooking removes salt and dust, though it cannot be relied on to remove chemicals.

Buying tips

Price depends on the species, the size of the fish, whether it was salted, how it was dried and the season. Ask the seller where the shutki was dried, when it was made, whether any insecticide or preservative was used, and whether it is part of a safe-drying programme. Ask for close-up photos and the packing date. For chepa shutki, ask how old the batch is and how it will be packed so the oil does not leak.

Each shop on Midmart sets and charges its own delivery, so shutki from Cox's Bazar and fish from Barishal mean two parcels and two charges. Midmart does not handle payment or delivery; you agree both directly with the seller. Shutki travels well, but ask for airtight packing so the smell does not spread and the fish stays dry.

Keeping it fresh

Store shutki in an airtight glass or plastic jar in a cool, dry place, or in the fridge in humid weather. Air it in the sun now and then if it starts to feel damp. Keep it well sealed so the smell does not reach other foods. Chepa shutki should be kept in its pot or a sealed jar in the fridge.

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Shops from where it is made

Gadget360 Verified seller Chandpur
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SOHAG.BD Verified seller Kishoreganj
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Every shop on Midmart collects payment its own way and arranges its own delivery — Midmart never handles your money or your parcel. Delivery is charged per shop: order from three shops and you pay three delivery charges.

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Questions about Shutki (dried fish) — Cox's Bazar, Chattogram, Kuakata and the haor

Nazirartek in Cox's Bazar is the country's largest dried-fish yard. Chattogram's markets and Kuakata are other well-known sources.

Sources and photo credits

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