Drizzle all day, a rough sea and the sound of waves carried by the wind — what better setting could there be for enjoying some delicious seafood?
And when that food is served beside the sea, the experience becomes even more enjoyable.
Sea crab is a major attraction for both local and foreign tourists in Cox’s Bazar. Some prefer spicy fried crab, others go for crab soup, while many enjoy crab curry with rice or naan.
Among local tourists, fried crab and spicy crab curry are particularly popular, while many foreign tourists prefer seafood soups.
At Mermaid Cafe on Marine Drive, tourist Zara was seen enjoying sea-crab soup in the rain-soaked surroundings.
Zara, a Bangladeshi living in Australia, said she had come to Bangladesh to visit her father. She plans to spend a few days in Cox’s Bazar before returning to Australia.
“I really like seafood. Whenever I travel to different countries, I have a particular interest in trying seafood. This time, I am enjoying different kinds of local seafood in Cox’s Bazar,” she said.
Couple Bulbul and Tanim, who came to Cox’s Bazar from Mirpur in Dhaka, said spicy fried sea crab and fried loitta fish were among their favourite dishes.
“But in this beautiful rainy weather, we also want to spend some more time beside the sea with a cup of coffee in hand,” they said.
Another tourist, Rafid Hossain, said fried crab and fried seafood were among his favourite dishes, particularly during winter and the monsoon.
Rafid said with a smile that he had once travelled from Dhaka to Cox’s Bazar simply to eat fried sea crab.
“This time, I have come to enjoy the monsoon in Cox’s Bazar with someone special. And, of course, I came to the beach café to enjoy my favourite fried crab beside the sea,” he said.
The roar of the sea, persistent rain and steaming seafood are adding a different dimension to the experience of tourists visiting Cox’s Bazar during the monsoon.
For many, sitting beside the sea and enjoying their favourite food is making rain-soaked Cox’s Bazar all the more appealing.
By Hussain Shetu
Photo: Hussain Shetu
