Food & Drinks

Food & Drinks

Pakistan is rich in a variety of foods. In general, food consists of different types of kebabs eaten either with flatbread (naan) or with white/brown rice. However, its four provinces and three territories, specifically sub-regions in the provinces and territories have their respective food specialty which is one of the reasons why those destinations are popular.

The types of flatbread (collectively referred to as Naan), kebabs, and drinks are:

Bread types:

Naan is a type of flatbread usually backed in clay ovens (tandoor).

Roti or Chapatti is homemade bread comparatively thinner than naan and backs quickly.

Paratha is yet another type of bread having two major kinds: One is backed in a clay oven while the other is made by dripping in oil but both are so rich.

Kebabs:

Seekh/shish Kebab is a long skewer of minced beef mixed with herbs and seasonings.

Shami Kebab is a round patty of seasoned beef and lentils but softer than Seekh/shish kebabs.

Chapel Kebab is a spicy round kebab that is a specialty of KPK province, made of minced beef flatbread dripped in oil.

Chicken Kebab is again a popular kebab that is found both with bone and without.

Lamb Kebab is the all lamb meat kebab usually served as cubes.

Roasted Chicken (Chargha) is very famous around Pakistan, seen in the rotisserie in food streets.

Biryani is a dish with mixed pieces of chicken and rice added with saffron and other seasonings.

Chicken Tikka is barbeque chicken with a spicy exterior. Looks like a huge, red chicken leg and thigh.

Famous Dishes:

Haleem is a dish thick stew-like mix of tiny chunks of meat or chicken, lentils, and wheat grains.

Nihari is a famous dish of thick gravy made from local spices mixed with both chicken and beef. It is an oily and spicy dish. Eat with lemon, fried onion, and caution: it is one of the spiciest curries widely liked in the southern part of the country.

Daal is a common dish made of yellow/red lentils or brown but slightly sour lentil “soup”.

Mixed vegetables: numerous veggies are available in different regions subject to the suitable weather and tradition of people. You can have any kind of vegetable with varying taste according to locality.

Meat is a major ingredient in most dishes with endless varieties.

AlooGosht (Potatoes and Meat) is a generic dish made up of chunks of potato and goat meat in gravy.

Paye or ‘Siri Paye’is a stew of goat/beef/mutton bones (typically hooves, skull) and bone marrow is extremely nutritious and generally eaten for breakfast with naan.

Desserts

Enjoy a variety; ice cream can be found in an abundance of flavors such as the traditional pistachio-flavored Kulfi;

Falooda is a tasty rosewater dessert. Traditional ice cream is known as “kulfi” mixed with vermicelli, and pistachio nuts and flavored with rose water. Most ice cream shops have their own versions.

Mithai is the generic name for a variety of sweet treats in Pakistan. The sweets are extremely popular in Pakistan and are called different things depending on where you go.

Kulfi is a very traditional made ice cream mixed with cream and different types of nuts.

Ice cream is very famous and western ice cream parlors like “Polka Parlor” “Jamin Java” and “Hot Spot” are equally famous as traditional ice creams, the ‘Chaman’ ice cream parlor.

Apart from local restaurants, international fast food chains have also popped up throughout Pakistan. They include KFC, Pizza Hut, McDonald’s, Subway, Nandos, Mr.Cod, Papa John’s, Dominoes, etc. You find more European chains than North American.

Drinks

Tap water can be unsafe for drinking. However, newly installed water filters/purifiers are safe to drink water from. Packed drinking water is also available in the market in variety of brands which is a better choice. It is commonly believed that the taste of water in the northern part and north-eastern part of the country is very good as compared to the rest of the country.

Milk tea (referred to as Chai in Pakistan) is popular throughout the country. Breakfast without tea cannot be imagined. It is also a remedy to tiredness and a good pastime.

Black and green tea (Sabz chai or Kahwah) are common and are traditionally drunk with cardamom and lots of sugar. Lemon is optional but recommended with green tea.

Kashmiri chai is a milky tea with almonds and nuts added to give additional flavor. This tea is very popular during weddings and in the cold season.

Coffee is also available in all cities.

Sattu is a drink made of barley seeds, milk/water, and sugar and is available on every street in major cities. Although the recipe varies from region to region the end product is still delicious.

Lassi or buttermilk is a popular drink made of yogurt and usually, sugar is added to develop taste. In the mountainous regions of Chitral and Gilgit-Baltistan, only salt is added instead of sugar.

Doodh soda is a famous drink to beat the heat in summer. It is made of milk with sprite and sugar mixed and poured over ice. Cool and tasty.

Gannay ka juice or sugarcane juice is the national drink of Pakistan having medicinal properties. It is made of fresh sugarcane juice mixed with spices blended with ice.

Rabri Doodh – a milk dessert and a bubbly creamy beverage extremely energetic and tasty.

Badaam Sharbat – almond juice is made by soaking almonds overnight, cook them with sugar, ilaichi, and other spices and consume.

Mango Shake is made of Mango – the national fruit of Pakistan – blended with milk and sugar to taste. It is consumed abundantly in summer.