A Bangladeshi earns 60K a day selling sweet betel leaf in New York

A small Bangladeshi-run paan shop in New York has become a symbol of cultural nostalgia and a surprisingly profitable business. Shapla Misti Paan, a mobile outlet serving the city’s South Asian community, reportedly earns an average of 60,000 Bangladeshi taka (around $500) a day by selling the traditional South Asian delicacy.

Owner Mokbul Miah says his shop offers a variety of flavours including Nurani Paan, Kashmiri Paan and Elachi Paan. Once a treat enjoyed in Dhaka’s tea stalls and village gatherings, paan has found new life in the United States as a cultural staple at weddings, birthdays and community events.

Open daily from 5 p.m. until midnight, the shop caters not only to walk-in customers but also takes advance orders for special occasions. A home delivery service has made it even more accessible for busy expatriates longing for a taste of home.

For many Bangladeshi immigrants, the paan is more than just a snack. It is a connection to their homeland. “When we eat this, it feels like we are back in Bangladesh,” said one customer at a community gathering.

The popularity of Shapla Misti Paan highlights how migrant entrepreneurs are keeping cultural traditions alive while building sustainable businesses in one of the world’s most competitive cities.