The following highlights some of the popular Traditional Pakistani Foods. If you manage to be in an Pakistani restaurant or you are visiting Pakistan, I recommend the following:
1. Biryani
One thing you will no doubt notice is that several of Pakistan’s dishes are also part of the cuisine of India, Turkey, Bangladesh and other countries; this is because these dishes have spread and become popular. Biryani is a mixture of delicious yellow rice and chicken or beef. The rice takes its colour from a variety of spices and herbs, which also adds an amazing flavour. To top it off, it contains perfectly cooked lemons, tomatoes and potatoes.
2. Nashta
Nashta’ is the Urdu word for breakfast. Each region has its own special breakfast items in Pakistan, but some items are eaten all over the country. Nihari is the most popular, a delicious stew where chunks of beef and mutton are accompanied by brains or the marrow of the same animal. Other popular dishes are Halwa Puri, Siri paye, naan chanay and others.
3. Chicken Karahi
Karahi is a method of preparation in which meat and vegetables are mixed with spices and served in the same pot in which they are cooked. It is usually prepared with ginger, tomatoes and black pepper. Chicken karahi is a spicy mixture of spices with diced chicken, similar to wok. This delicious preparation is served with wheat bread or pita bread. Pakistani cuisine uses meats other than pork, usually beef, lamb, kid or chicken. This stew is served in many homes and restaurants throughout the country.
4. Dhal
It is a red lentil soup adapted from a Bengali recipe. Lentils are one of the most abundant and widely consumed vegetables in Pakistan. Apart from lentils, which can be green, red or brown, the ingredients of dhal include onion, ginger, cumin, turmeric and other hot spices. Dhal soup is a staple dish on the daily menu of Pakistanis and is mainly served for lunch or dinner. It is usually served with chapati, the Indian flatbread.
5. Haleem
Haleem is a mixture of a variety of traditional foods used in Pakistani cuisine, such as wheat, barley, minced meat, lamb or chicken. It is a time-consuming dish to prepare because the lentils and special spices take a long time to combine properly with the minced meat to create a unique paste that will delight the senses. You should know that this is a dish of Arabic origin dating back to the 10th century. This delicacy was one of the main meals of kings and caliphs.
6. Naan Kebabs
Naan is one of the most popular breads in Pakistan, this flatbread has wheat flour and yeast as its main ingredient. Its taste may be a little plain but when spread on a stew or sauce, your taste buds will fly. It is massively consumed and tends to be the perfect complement and accompaniment to kebab, which is chunks of lamb meat seasoned with spices such as ras el hanout, cumin, oregano, coriander, turmeric, caraway, paprika, among others. Currently you can get beef, chicken, goat, pork and fish kebabs.
7. Dumpakht
Dum Pukht is a style of cooking common in Indian and Pakistani cuisine where meat and other ingredients are slowly cooked in airtight containers. A large number of dishes can be prepared in Dum Pukht style. Most of them are meats, especially meats with bones. While boiling, the marrow is slowly cooked, releasing its flavour and juices into the meat and the larger vessel. Cooks also often add vegetables and use fresh herbs and spices for seasoning.
8. Halwapuri
A puri is a type of dough dusted with salt and rolled into a circular shape that is then fried in a small amount of oil. It is extremely fluffy and light and comes with a sweet dish called halva, a combination of sugar syrup, egg white and sesame seeds. The mixture of sweet and sour flavours results in a memorable culinary experience.
9. Lassi
Lassi is a typical Indian drink whose main ingredient is yoghurt. Lassi is served cold and is very refreshing. It can be sweet or savoury, and in the latter case, pepper or cumin is usually added. In addition, lassi can be made with fruits such as banana, papaya or mango. Another is lassi made with bhang (Bhang lassi), a liquid derived from hemp. This type of lassi is legal in many parts of India and is often eaten during religious festivals.
10. Raita
Raita is a mixed yoghurt flavoured with black or red pepper. The yoghurt is sometimes mixed with green chillies, coriander leaves and mint to give it a delicious spicy flavour. Raita is a side dish in many Pakistani dishes such as biryani, barbecue, kebabs, etc.
If you found this list useful, here are some more Traditional Asian Foods to try out on my Pinterest channel.