Food & Shopping
Food Scene in Dhubri
1. Local Flavors
- Rice and Fish Curry:
- Staple food. The Brahmaputra river provides fresh fish like rohu, catla, and pabda.
- Pitika:
- A simple, smoky mashed dish usually made with potatoes, roasted eggplant (begun pitika), or fish.
- Khar:
- A traditional Assamese alkaline-based dish made using raw papaya, pulses, and a key ingredient called “khar” (prepared from sun-dried banana peel and ashes).
- Tenga (Sour Fish Curry):
- Light, tangy fish curry using tomato, lemon, or thekera (dried mangosteen).
- Duck Meat Curry (Hanhor Mangxo):
- Special festive dish, often cooked with ash gourd.
2. Street Food and Snacks
- Samosas and Jalebis:
- Popular evening snacks, especially during Eid and Bihu seasons.
- Pani Puri and Chaat:
- Found near marketplaces like Dhubri Bazar and weekly hats (markets).
- Momo (Dumplings):
- Tibetan-Nepali influence visible; spicy chutneys accompany momos.
3. Special Sweets
- Pitha:
- Traditional Assamese rice cakes, especially during Bihu festivals.
- Laru:
- Coconut or sesame seed laddoos made during festivals.
- Rosogolla & Mishti Doi:
- Bengali influence strong; delicious sweet yogurt and syrupy sweets common.
4. Festive Foods
- During Eid:
- Sheer khurma (vermicelli pudding), biryani, kebabs, and sweets flood the town.
- During Bihu:
- Traditional sira-doi (flattened rice with curd), pitha, and larus are must-haves.
5. Restaurants and Eateries
- Many small family-owned restaurants serve Assamese thalis.
- Some notable places:
- Local eateries near College Road and Gurudwara Road.
- Small dhabas (roadside eateries) serving delicious parathas, chicken curry, and Assamese meals.
Shopping in Dhubri
1. Main Markets
- Dhubri Town Bazar:
- Largest and busiest; everything from clothes to fresh fish to electronics.
- Netaji Subhas Road Market:
- Famous for household goods, utensils, and fabrics.
- Hats (Weekly Markets):
- Like Gauripur Hat, Golokganj Hat — rural vibrancy; vendors selling fresh farm produce, handloom items, and bamboo crafts.
2. What to Buy
- Handloom Fabrics:
- Traditional Assamese mekhela chador (women's dress), gamochas (multi-use cloth), made of cotton or Assam silk.
- Brass and Bell Metal Items:
- Traditional Assamese utensils and artifacts — especially plates, bowls, and xorai (ceremonial offering tray).
- Bamboo and Cane Crafts:
- Furniture, baskets, and decorative items — made by local artisans.
- Jute Products:
- Bags, mats, and decorative pieces; jute farming is common around Dhubri.
- Fresh Fish and Spices:
- Popular shopping items for locals and visitors alike.
3. Festive Markets
- During Eid, Durga Puja, and Bihu, the marketplaces light up:
- Colorful clothes, sweet shops, jewelry, traditional musical instruments (dhol, pepa) are widely sold.
Shopping Experience
- The markets of Dhubri are lively, colorful, and a mix of Assamese, Bengali, and rural cultures.
- Bargaining is common and even expected in the local markets.
- There is a deep human connection — you will often find sellers inviting you with smiles and warm greetings.
- Street-side tea stalls (chai shops) are hubs of conversation and energy!
