A Primer on 5 of Pakistan’s Best Traditional Dishes

Pakistani cuisine offers a lot of delectable dishes, some of which have become many people’s favorite comfort food. Many of them are backed by rich history and culture, offering multiple options of vibrant, mouth-watering flavors that are sure to satisfy numerous people’s tastes.

If you’re only beginning to explore the wonders that Pakistani cuisine has to offer, it can be a little overwhelming to choose which dishes to try first. Fortunately, we’re here to help. This article will go over five of the best traditional Pakistani dishes you must try at least once in your life.

Keep reading below to learn some of the dishes you should try first:

Biryani

Biryani is a rice blend dish with a history that goes back to the Muslims in the Indian subcontinent. It has a rich flavor profile and commonly features chicken meat. Depending on the chef, the dish could also contain potatoes. Over the years, many variations of the meal have been created in different parts of South Asia. Awadhi and Mughlai are some of these variations.

Karahi

Karahi is another famous dish from Pakistani cuisine. It’s often made with chicken, but other meat options include sheep or goat. It’s noted for its spicy flavor combined with a rich tomato base and a mixture of ginger slivers, cilantro, and chili peppers. It can take a while to cook this dish, but you’ll know that it’s completely worth it once you try it.

Kebab

Kebabs are one of the most famous Pakistani food in the world. People often eat them as a feel-good dish, which is entirely understandable when you consider the rich smoky flavor of the meat combined with the array of spices. Traditionally, chefs would use fish, beef, chicken, or lamb for kebabs.

Handi

Handi is a dish named after the vessel it’s commonly cooked in. The container is frequently made from copper or clay, with a wide mouth to accommodate the ingredients. Pakistani, Indian, and Bengali cuisines often use the same cooking vessel. On the other hand, the dish itself commonly uses chicken as its meat. You can also call different kinds of food handi if they’re cooked in the same container. For example, you could have a handi biryani.

Nihari

Nihari is Pakistan’s national dish and a favorite of people from all walks of life. It originated from the Urdu-speaking community, which brought the food to the Indian subcontinent. It’s the perfect dish that captures the spirit of migration, integration, and the combination of individual flavors to create the most delectable stew made from beef, mutton, or lamb.

Conclusion

Pakistani cuisine has a lot to offer people from all over the world. Its dishes have flavor profiles that can suit many people’s different preferences for food and are backed by rich tradition and culture. By indulging in the delicious taste of the cuisine, you can immerse yourself in grand stories of history and tradition.

The best way to start getting into the beautiful world of this cuisine is by supporting authentic Pakistani restaurants. By doing this, you can guarantee to experience the conventional way these dishes are cooked and prepared. There’s nothing better than indulging in a culture’s cuisine authentically.

If you’re craving Pakistani dishes, Karakoram is a traditional Pakistani restaurant in Vancouver, Canada. Check out our menu to look into the fine dining experience you could have while eating real Pakistani food.