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6 Most Popular Pakistani Dishes You Should Try

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Pakistan is an Islamic country in South Asia surrounded by India, China, Iran, Afghanistan, and the Arabian Sea. Pakistani cuisine is distinguished by a fusion of regional cooking traditions from the Indian subcontinent, Central and Western Asia, and aspects from its Mughal past. Pakistani cuisine is predicated on Halal, which prohibits the intake of pork and alcohol as per Islamic law. International cuisine and fast food are popular in big cities such as Islamabad and Karachi. Fusion food, such as Pakistani Chinese cuisine, is also popular in large metropolitan areas. Extensively used ingredients include spices and clarified butter.

  • Breakfast: A Pakistani breakfast menu may include Nihari, Eggs, Tea, Paranthas, Rusks, Shami kebabs, fresh fruits, Jam, Butter, Milk, and Bakarkhani.
  • Lunch: A Pakistani lunch menu may consist of Rice, Roti, Dal, Shorba, Aloo gosht, and various stews.
  • Dinner: A typical dinner menu for Pakistani cuisine may include Biryani, Nihari, Naan, Kebabs, Dal, Kofte, Pulau Rice, and desserts like Shahi Tukda, Kheer, Gulab Jamun, and Rasmalai.

Most Popular Pakistani Dishes: 

Some of the delicacies that might make your visit to Pakistan unforgettable are as follows:

1. Biryani

Biryani is a world-famous dish that originated in the Mughal Empire and is widely accessible throughout Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent. Pakistani Biryani and Indian Biryani are quite similar, yet Pakistani Biryani may have spices that Indian Biryani does not, for example, swollen raisins are fairly prevalent in Pakistani Biryani, Beef is widely used in Pakistani Biryani but may not be accessible in Indian Biryani owing to religious reasons. It is made with rice, strong spices, herbs, and meat(lamb/goat/beef) or sometimes egg/Indian cottage cheese/potato. The process of making a great Biryani is more complicated than it appears since the number of spices and cooking time must be precisely right to give it the Mughlai flavor it deserves.

2. Nihari

If you’re in the mood for soup or stew, the Nihari is a safe bet. It has beef that has been gently cooked and simmered in spices overnight. The lengthy cooking procedure extracts the entire taste of the bone marrow, making it one of the world’s best-tasting beef meals. Nihari is a time-consuming task due to its slow cooking technique. It is available for both breakfast and dinner across Pakistan and is usually served with Naan(Bread).

3. Haleem

Another stew meal that needs a significant preparation time. It mixes several staples, such as barley, wheat, and minced meat (mutton, beef, or chicken). Traditional preparation takes a long time since the lentils and distinctive spices require time to combine with the minced meat. The end result is a unique and delicious paste that will quench your appetite.

4. Chicken Tikka

To create a mouthwatering flavor, boneless chicken is marinated in spices and yogurt before being grilled. The meal pairs beautifully with a green chili concoction and Naan (bread). They are mostly party food and people love to eat them while dancing or while any other occasion. 

5. Kebabs

Another popular dish in Pakistan is the Meat Kebab, which is well-seasoned beef that has been barbecued to juicy perfection. Traditionally, kebabs are grilled with onions, tomatoes, and bell peppers. Kebabs are also slow-cooked on skewers which eventually melt in the mouth.

6. Lassi

After these strong spices from Pakistani cuisine, you will definitely need something to cool it down. This popular beverage is a combination of dahi (curd), water, spices, and, sometimes fruit. It’s sweet and best served cold, similar to a milkshake.

The streets of Islamabad and Karachi in Pakistan are brimming with the aforementioned delights and will undoubtedly satisfy your taste buds.


Last Updated : 22 Sep, 2023
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