In the kingdom of the lively street foods at Mohammadpur, a young entrepreneur is building a name for himself.
Nafiz, a Grade-9 student at Dhaka Residential Model College, is running Nafiz Food Corner, while balancing the demands of school and business. His mission? Providing the best quality food at the lowest possible price.
It has rapidly become a popular destination for students and locals. What distinguishes this food stall from others is not just the delicious and budget-friendly food it offers but the inspiring motive behind it.
“I know how hard it can be for students to find good, affordable food,” Nafiz says. “As students, we all have a limited budget, so my goal is to give them great food within that budget.”
This dedication to quality and affordability has earned him a loyal customer base, largely made up of fellow students who appreciate the taste, variety, and price of the food he offers.
Along the way, he is also creating new opportunities for his peers. He has already hired two student staff members to help run the cart.
“I want to create a way for students to earn while they study,” he shares. This student-run team, along with the unwavering support of his parents, forms the backbone of Nafiz Food Corner.
His parents are there every step of the way, helping him with both moral and logistical support. “They are like my shadow,” Nafiz says. “I couldn’t do this without them.”
The biggest challenge, however, is balancing school and work. “I had an exam earlier today. It can be quite exhausting at times,” Nafiz laughs, “but I’m enjoying it.”
The menu
Nafiz initiated his journey with six items: noodles, soup, coconut pudding, tandoori chicken, shashlik, and dragon fruit juice. The lowest-priced item starts at just Tk30, and nothing on the menu exceeds Tk50.
“I’m trying to keep it affordable for everyone,” Nafiz says.
While the variety may be modest for now, Nafiz has big plans to introduce more items at the end of the month.
“These are the most basic foods everyone likes,” he says, “but I have plans to introduce more items on the menu soon.”
Among these, the most popular items are the tandoori chicken and the coconut pudding. “The tandoori chicken and coconut pudding is our popular item on the menu, and personally, the coconut pudding is also my favourite,” Nafiz admits.
We couldn’t resist trying them for ourselves, and among all the dishes we have tried from the food cart, we can say the tandoori chicken and dragon fruit juice are a must-try. The chicken is tender, well-seasoned, and full of smoky flavour, while the dragon fruit juice is light and refreshing, perfect for a quick sip in the middle of a busy day.
As for the coconut pudding, served cold, it’s the ideal dessert to beat the scorching heat, with the coconut bits adding a delightful texture and flavour.
One of the standout qualities of Nafiz’s stall is the assurance of hygiene, something his customers deeply appreciate. All the food is prepared at home by Nafiz’s mother, ensuring a level of cleanliness and care not often associated with street food.
“My mom handles the cooking, so I know everything is fresh and clean,” Nafiz says proudly. “Hygiene is important to me since we are serving so many people, the majority of them being students who rely on us for a safe meal.”
An eye on the future
Nafiz may have found some early success, but he has aspirations to grow the business and expand his menu while staying true to his roots.
“I want to keep students by my side and expand the business if the opportunity arises,” he says. His vision isn’t just about personal success; it’s about fostering a community where students can thrive together, both as customers and contributors.
The success of Nafiz Food Corner is a testament not only to Nafiz’s hard work but also to the support of the local community. His peers from Dhaka Residential Model College often stop by after classes, turning the stall into a popular hangout spot. Even the locals have started to take notice, with many praising Nafiz for his dedication and entrepreneurial spirit.
“Nafiz is an inspiration for us,” says one of his classmates. “He has shown that age is just a number when it comes to chasing your dreams.”