Mojo Cola in Bangladesh is a strange beast. Despite the name it is not a traditional cola. Instead it is a clear lemon-lime soda produced by Akij Food & Beverage one of the largest beverage companies in Bangladesh. You will find it everywhere from roadside stalls to busy city shops.
It is one of the most popular local soft drinks sitting alongside other household names like Speed and Clemon. But Mojo Cola sets itself apart by its unique branding and surprisingly addictive taste.
Click to read about ColaQuest.
What the Mojo Cola?
Mojo Cola is Bangladesh’s homegrown fizzy contender, pumped out by Akij Food & Beverage Ltd and found absolutely everywhere from Dhaka’s chaos to roadside stalls in the middle of nowhere. It’s cheap, loud, and proudly Bangladeshi. While the big foreign brands still linger, Mojo has carved out its own turf with aggressive branding, bold colours, and a don’t-care attitude that actually works.
You’ll see it stacked high in little corner shops, poured over ice in plastic cups, or chugged straight from the bottle by students, drivers, and anyone needing a cold jolt in the heat. It’s part of that essential Bangladeshi street food combo, often paired with spicy snacks or just smashed on its own when the sun hits hard. If you’re doing Bangladesh properly, you’re drinking Mojo.
And how does Mojo taste?
Initially we got this essentially by mistake, but if nothing else were amused by the name! You know why call it Mojo? It has to be a reference to Austin Powers right? Well we liked it at least and did many an Austin impression.
Taste wise it is not just decent, but cheap at 20 cents for a small bottle. It is pretty sweet, more so than a coke, but overall holds the Mojo Cola truly does hold its own in #ColaQuest and we actually sought it out by the end of the trip.
How It Goes With Food and Drink
I didn’t get to try Mojo Cola with any alcohol though I can imagine it would work perfectly with cheap Indian whisky or local rum. The heavy sugar and lemon flavor would mask harsh alcohol notes well. Instead I chased it with a local beer. The sweetness
Mojo Cola cut through the bitter malt flavor and refreshed my palate making the combination oddly satisfying.
It pairs best with street food fried snacks spicy chaat or a plate of biryani. The sugar and the like help cool down the heat from the spices while the light fizz cleanses the palate. If you’re wandering Dhaka’s markets, or even trampling around the boonies of the county then Mojo is actually a pretty good tried and tested brand that you can rely on.
Final Thoughts
Mojo Cola is not a sophisticated soft drink. It is not trying to be subtle or classy. It is loud sweet and unapologetically artificial. But it represents something essential local taste and pride in a crowded market dominated by global giants.
If you like your sodas crisp and refreshing Mojo Cola might not be for you. But if you want a taste of Bangladesh’s street culture bottled up this is the one to try. I rate it a solid seven out of ten sweet sticky addictive and perfectly suited to its place and people.
Click to check my Bangladesh Tours with YPT (YPT.su).