Bengali 5 Spice - Panch Puran Known as the popping Spice Blend - Bengali five spice is a spice blend used in Bangladesh and Eastern India, especially in Bengali, Assamese and Oriya cuisine. The name literally means 'five spices', referring to the equal measures of ingredients. Bengali five spice is traditionally used with vegetables, lentils or fish, but can even be used as a pickling spice. Typically, the mixture is fried in oil or ghee in a heavy-based pan, which causes it to start popping immediately. At this point, you should add your other ingredients to coat with the spice mixture. It is also known as Panch phoran, panch Puran, panch phoran, panch phutana, or five-spice mix.