Where to find the best hot dogs in Dhaka?

For years, Dhaka had a lack of hot dog places but not anymore.

For years, Dhaka had a lack of hot dog places but not anymore. Cloud kitchens and cafes have recently started offering elevated hot dogs above their status as a snack. They're aiming for a full lunch, but with hot dogs. So we went to Kona Cafe, Couch Potato and the OG (original) Candy Floss to discover the best new dog in town.

Chilli Dog at the Couch Potato: These chilli dogs are their best sellers for a reason. Their house-made buns are slathered in chili con carne. If you're looking for a substantial chilli with an enticing aroma, try jalapenos with a franks sausage smack dab in the midst of dainty buns. The jalapenos provide the spicy heat, not the chilli, which is just how it should be. At the same time, it drops some cheddar, which melds with the chilli to create a sloppy but soul-satisfying comfort food that could easily be your afternoon meal, and if you're all about the stuffing, this is the hot dog for you. 

At Tk400, this finger food turned dinner feels costly until you've gorged yourself on it, but then you realize it's worth every penny and then some. After all, there's a reason why this two-year-old cloud kitchen has a cult following. 

Sandwich for a hotdog, Philly cheese dog at Kona cafe: Philly cheese steaks, the ultimate stuffing for a fine sandwich, are hidden among some favourite Asian poke bowls. The Philly cheese dog is a cross between haute cuisine and finger food. The peppery Hawaiian bun, some cut-up toothsome steak from a luscious beef tenderloin, and the absolute necessity of stacked cheddar will offer you meaty cheese bursts in your tongue without ever employing cutleries. In other words, a refined hotdog dipped in mayo. When priced at Tk470, it leans toward meeting the price for the meat, but if you love your Philly in a bun, you won't mind. 

New York Dog at the Couch Potato: How can you go wrong when it's named after the city where hot dogs are a staple? The tangy sweet relish, spicy-pungent mustard splotched on a hot dog, and spicy-pungent mustard splotched on a hot dog will offer you the nibbles of your dreams. Exactly the ones you crave at the New York stand, but more reasonably priced at Tk350, this should be your go-to if you want a finger-lickin' hot dog without breaking the bank at this new hotspot of a cloud kitchen. Order from the comfort of your couch.

The Everything at Kona cafe (Lakeshore): An overloaded hotdog with a spicy flavor of savory gochujang chicken, cheddar, and beef sausage bulgogi chunks with a fried egg.

A Korean bowl in a bun is mounted on top, along with some caramelized onions and fiery jalapeño, and while it is ambitious, it may be too much to manage in your hands and on your tastes. This mix of Asian and American flavours is overpowering. It can put you off if you want to eat a hot dog while still enjoying the simple yet distinct flavours.

The overpowering flavours are overdone, but if you want to experiment, go ahead and get your hands on this hotdog; we'd recommend a knife and fork, but "The Everything" does cost you Tk450.

The traditional snack at Candyfloss: The original hot dog at candyfloss stays loyal to the essence of a hot dog as a snack. This modest store hiding away near Banani supermarket is the prototypical Bengali hot dog, with a chicken sausage buried in a bun, some mustard, and voilà! You have your favourite hot dogs with a side of memories. 

At Tk130, this hot dog is still the most affordable to consume while shopping.