Happy Potato: Dhaka’s take on the viral shaker fries

Happy Potato is one of the newest international fast-food chains to enter Bangladesh, and it has arrived with remarkable online momentum. Social media platforms are currently flooded with reels showcasing towering cups of shaker fries, energetic seasoning tosses, and enthusiastic reactions. With such a consistent digital presence, a visit felt almost necessary. 

On a quiet Thursday afternoon, I headed to Gulshan's Rangpur Goli to experience the hype first-hand.

Located inside the alley of Elegant Tower, the setting instantly recalled street-food corridors across Southeast Asia. The narrow passage, illuminated signage, and compact storefront felt reminiscent of similar food lanes in Thailand and Malaysia. That resemblance is intentional.

Originating in Malaysia in the mid-2010s, Happy Potato rapidly expanded across Southeast Asia with its signature shaker fries concept, eventually positioning itself as Malaysia's leading shaker fries brand.

The outlet adopts a bold red-and-yellow colour scheme, creating a lively visual identity. Seating is limited to three small tables, signalling a focus on takeaway service rather than dine-in comfort.

Despite the brand's online popularity, the store was relatively quiet during our visit, with a single staff member managing both the kitchen and the counter. Several items listed on the menu, including dips and select sides, were unavailable at the time, suggesting early-stage operational challenges common to newly launched outlets.

Happy Combo (Fries + Jumbo Nuggets) — Regular

The menu remains tightly focused on fries. Customers can choose from five portion sizes, ranging from Baby Fries (Tk180) to Goga Fries (Tk480). The Happy Combo meals pair No.1 Shaker Fries with options such as Jumbo Nuggets, Chicken Tenders, Chicken Popcorn, or Chicken Fingers.

Additional sides include hash browns priced at Tk150. Seasonings include Cheese, Sour Cream, BBQ, Hot & Spicy, Seaweed, Corn Cheese, and Garlic Parmesan, while dips such as Cheese Mayo and Cheese Sauce are also listed, though unavailable during our visit.

To begin, I ordered the Happy Combo with Jumbo Nuggets in regular size for Tk450, choosing Hot & Spicy seasoning for the fries and Sour Cream for the nuggets. The fries arrived neatly portioned—thin-cut, evenly fried, and visually appealing. Texture-wise, they delivered a light crunch.

However, the Hot & Spicy seasoning leaned heavily towards salt and artificial spice, closely resembling instant noodle masala. While this may appeal to fans of bold flavours, it tends to overpower the natural taste of the potato.

The absence of dips became noticeable here, as they might have provided balance and contrast. Without them, the fries felt somewhat one-dimensional despite their technical execution.

The Jumbo Nuggets offered a familiar fast-food profile. Their taste and texture reflected standard frozen nuggets—deep-fried and straightforward. A distinct processed aroma was noticeable, similar to what is often associated with mass-produced frozen meat products. The Sour Cream seasoning added a mild tang that helped soften the overall profile, making the nuggets more approachable.

Price: Tk450 (Regular)

Happy Combo (Fries + Chicken Tenders) — Regular

Still curious to explore further, I ordered the Happy Combo with Chicken Tenders in regular size for Tk550. Menu visuals depicted thick, crispy tenders, setting certain expectations. What arrived, however, were two slender pieces with light battering.

In taste and texture, they closely resembled the nuggets, differing mainly in shape rather than character. The Garlic Parmesan seasoning provided warmth and savoury notes, though the overall experience remained quite similar to the previous order.

This time, I selected Corn Cheese seasoning for the fries, which emerged as the most enjoyable flavour of the visit. Reminiscent of nostalgic cheese snacks, it delivered a comforting blend of sweetness and savouriness that worked well with the fries. Even so, the portion size again felt modest relative to the pricing, particularly when compared with Dhaka's increasingly competitive fast-food landscape.

One consistently positive aspect was beverage pricing. A 250ml fountain Pepsi at Tk50 felt reasonably priced, offering a refreshing contrast to the premium pricing of the food items. The availability of locally distributed PepsiCo beverages also added convenience.

Price: Tk550 (Regular)

Final Thoughts

Happy Potato's appeal lies primarily in its visual presentation and flavour variety. The energetic preparation style, tall fry cups, and bold branding translate well onto social media platforms. However, during this visit, factors such as portion size, menu availability, and flavour balance influenced the overall experience.

As one of the newest international chains in Bangladesh, Happy Potato appears to still be settling into its operational rhythm. With refinements in consistency, accompaniments, and portion calibration, it has the potential to better align its in-store experience with the expectations created online.

For now, it offers an interesting glimpse into Southeast Asian-style snack culture, though one that may benefit from further polish to fully satisfy Dhaka's discerning diners.