Flavor Bangla is Scarborough's one-stop shop for Bangladeshi takeout.

Helmed by chef Rawnak Zahan and her husband, Mohammed, the couple opened their kitchen in November 2023, intent on making their mark on the local culinary scene.

The restaurant occupies a corner unit in a small plaza near Regent Heights Public School, making it an ideal place for students to pick up snacks on their way home.

Mohammed tells us that students and singles make up the majority of their clientele. He surmises that price and portion size are the driving forces behind these trends.

He also claims that visitors have been coming from all over the GTA to try Rawnak's recipes.

Rawnak explains that Bangladeshi restaurants are few and far between outside of Bangla Town, so authentic dishes are a major draw.

Flavor Bangla's extensive menu can be divided into two broad categories: meals and sweets.

Khachis, khichuris and biryanis are served alongside a wide selection of weekend breakfast options, while snacks of all shapes and sizes are displayed in a glass case near the front counter.

The Bangladeshi Chinese Platter ($13.99) was originally marketed as a Valentine's Day special, but has since been added to the permanent menu!

This combo for two comes with two servings of rice, two chicken drumsticks and a bowl of vegetable soup to share.Despite its humble appearance, this meal is both flavourful and filling.

The chicken was tender and the soup was spicy enough to make my eyes water, so it's ideal for anyone looking for a kick. Mohammed explained that this was actually one of the milder soups on the menu!The Special Beef Tehari ($13.99) consists of shredded beef, crispy onions and a boiled egg on a bed of mustard oil-infused rice.

Hearty and satisfying, this dish is an excellent lunch option to keep you feeling full all day.The Special Morog Pulao ($13.99) also features rice and eggs, but its main selling point is a generous amount of slow-cooked chicken, paired with chopped onions and green chilies.

With its rich flavour and subtle use of spices, its status as one of the restaurant's most popular items comes as no surprise.

Sweet Lassi ($3.99), a thick and sugary drink, toes the line between dessert and drink thanks to its light, refreshing flavour.

The creamy texture was created with the addition of mishti doi, a type of sweet and fermented Bangladeshi yogurt.

Mishti doi ($2.99) can also be purchased on its own. The treat, offered in a convenient grab-and-go cup, is thicker than your typical yogurt and has a stronger aftertaste due to the fermentation.Malai Jorda ($2.99) is an eye-catching orange rice dish topped with dried fruit.

The granular texture and sugary taste was unusual at first, but ultimately made for a satisfying combination.

Golap Jamoon ($1.99) are fried balls of dough soaked in rose-scented syrup and coated in sugar.

Their messiness proceeds them, though — they're incredibly delicate and sophisticated in flavour, thanks to the floral syrup that oozes out of them. 

Like most items on the menu at Flavor Bangla, the simplicity in their appearance equates nothing to the incredible tasting experience. It really is a bang of flavour. 
Flavor Bangla is located at 461 Pharmacy Avenue.