With the arrival of Ramadan, several street food vendors in Badakhshan report an increase in demand and a boom in their businesses.

The sales of mantu, bolani, and chutney have risen during this period, improving their income, the vendors say.

Saadullah, who has been selling mantu in Wahdat city, the center of Argo district, for over ten years, said his business has flourished since the beginning of Ramadan, earning up to 4,000 afghani daily.

"Before Ramadan, we used to prepare one pot, but now we bring two. Our work has improved. Previously, we earned around 2,000 afghani daily, but now we make 4,000 afghani, stated Saadullah.

"These days, business is good. We sell between 6,000 to 12,000 afghani daily," stated Abdul Karim, another vendor in Badakhshan.

The markets in Faizabad, the capital of Badakhshan province, take on a different atmosphere as Iftar approaches.

"We have different spicy sauce or chutneys. The markets are better than before, there's a lot of hustle and bustle, and security is maintained," said Ainullah, a street food vendor in Faizabad.

"Compared to previous Ramadans, our business has improved. Last year, there wasn’t this much movement," said Aminullah, another vendor.

Several residents of Badakhshan expressed their happiness at having access to street and traditional foods close to Iftar time.

"Bolani, mantu, and samosas are an important part of our Iftar meal, and people come to buy them near Iftar,” said Sayed Moheb, a resident of Badakhshan.

"Security is stable, so we came to the market to shop for Iftar. Thankfully, there is a lot of activity,” said Hamid Haidari, another resident.

Ramadan has created a great opportunity for small businesses to thrive in Badakhshan, with street foods like mantu, samosas, and bolani holding a special place on the Iftar tables of the province's people.