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Shemon Aktar Shezar and her husband, Abu Md Numan-Al-Mobin, are the co-owners of the Bengal Kitchen restaurant.
Home cooking with international flavor is on the menu at Bengal Kitchen. Rapid City’s new Bangladeshi restaurant serves cuisine made with authentic family recipes from the Indian subcontinent.
Husband and wife Abu Md Numan-Al-Mobin and Shemon Aktar Shezar opened Bengal Kitchen May 31. The couple were born and raised in Bangladesh. Numan-Al-Mobin came to Rapid City in 2012 to earn his master’s degree in electrical engineering from South Dakota Mines, and he worked as a research scientist there for several years.
Numan-Al-Mobin and Shezar married in 2016, and she moved to Rapid City in 2017. She is taking pre-nursing courses at School of Mines. The couple has a 4-year-old son, Dihyah Mobin.
As the couple introduced their friends to authentic Bangladeshi cooking, people urged them to open a restaurant, Shezar said.
“I’m very passionate about cooking. I love to cook and try different dishes,” Shezar said. “I love to share my recipes with people.”
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A variety of halal and Bangladeshi cuisine is offered at Bengal Kitchen in Rapid City.
One factor that makes Bangladeshi cuisine unique from Indian food is how it’s prepared – and that varies from family to family, Numan-Al-Mobin said. Bengal Kitchen’s menu was inspired by the food Shezar cooked and ate in her family’s home, based on recipes her mother and sisters use.
“These are all my favorite dishes. I did some twists… We tried to keep our menu authentic,” said Shezar, who developed her passion for cooking while she was growing up. “All my family used to love to eat my food.”
Bangladeshi cuisine tends to incorporate lots of vegetables, seafood, and spices the couple has to special order so the food maintains the authentic tastes of Bangladesh. The food is prepared with fresh, quality ingredients and while it’s rich in flavor, it can range from mild to hot, Numad-Al-Mobin said.
A variety of halal and Bangladeshi cuisine offered at the Bengal Kitchen, located at 1415 N Lacrosse St. Suite 4 in Rapid City.
“Depending on the cooking style and spice level, you get different flavors,” Numad-Al-Mobin said. “That’s how it’s different from Indian recipes… We have four or five curry options that are very mild. We wanted to make sure we have all the spices that give flavor, not really the heat. Everyone can have it, including children.”
Bengal Kitchen’s menu primarily includes biryanis and curries. Vegetarian, dairy-free, nut-free and gluten-free options are available.
After their first few months in business, Numad-Al-Mobin and Shezar already know which dishes are customer favorites: piyaju, a lentil-onion fritter appetizer; morog pulao, chicken with aromatic basmati rice; beef, goat, and lamb biryani; shrimp malai curry; and rasmalai, a dessert.
Bengal Kitchen is open for lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday for casual dining in, take-out or delivery. They also offer catering for events and special occasions.
Bengal Kitchen is located at 1415 N. Lacrosse St., Suite 4 in Rapid City. Go to bengalkitchens.com to see the menu and for more information.
A variety of halal and Bangladeshi cuisine is offered at Bengal Kitchen, located at 1415 N. Lacrosse St. Suite 4 in Rapid City.
A variety of halal and Bangladeshi cuisine offered at the Bengal Kitchen, located at 1415 N Lacrosse St. Suite 4 in Rapid City.
