Karachi vs Lahore food debate,

[El Sidd]

One more time i hear anything in favor of Biryani I will burn this forum. What do you people taste in Biryani spices?
what other taste is there in Biryani other than spices, cant even taste the meat or rice but spices.

Will i get to eat biryani on my date with @path finder which you so generously offered to finance?

 

[PakSarzameen5823]

In the Karachi vs Lahore food debate, Boat Basin tips the scale in favour of the city of lights

By Sarah Fazli

This food street is a serious business that includes no fancy presentation – just honest, good food.

The server quickly refilled my (styrofoam) ‘cup’ of tea, and asked in the most inconspicuous and unassuming of tones if my nashta (breakfast) was to my liking. With such displays of courtesy, how could it not be?

This five-star service was not at an expensive restaurant in one of the more elitist areas of Karachi. No, this was at Dera, Boat Basin – one of Karachi’s go-to nashta places. Having recently achieved a significant milestone at work, we decided to have a commemorative breakfast at Boat Basin. It would be the usual halwa puri, and Dera itself requires no introduction.

Established in the early 2000s, Dera quickly emerged as one of the best nashta places in the city. The best item on their menu is indeed halwa puri, which is a traditional dish and is a local favourite, especially on lazy Sundays. Some old-school cooks serve halwa puri with mango pickle and sliced onion; others include a variation of eggs – desi omelette or fried eggs, depending upon what you prefer. A well-known secret is that this meal isn’t quite complete without a glass full of sweetened lassi.

The food capital of Pakistan is often said to be Lahore, but I beg to differ. Yes, Lahore has its attractions, but Karachi has made a solid mark in the foodie’s paradise – with its culinary delights ranging from paaye to pizza and ravioli to rabri. To enlighten those who have yet to undertake this sacred food pilgrimage, Boat Basin is the ultimate food street running through Khayaban-e-Saadi, parallel to the Benazir Bhutto Park and extends till the commercial area of Motta’s, Clifton. The area is famous for its mouth-watering plethora of food offering – which is exactly what people associate Boat Basin with.

While we were there for halwa puri, this is only the beginning when it comes to what Boat Basin has to offer. One can easily take a trip through crispy paratha rolls at Roll Inn, tantalising tikkay and bihari kabab, laden with spicy and fiery chutney at Tandoori Hut or Thali Inn, the traditional old is gold Hanifia burgers, or the iconic ice cream at Baloch. Those who grew up in the city will recall joints coming and going, where some, such as Mr Burger and Pizza Hut, relocated elsewhere after establishing their brand here, while others randomly disappeared, such as Kings and Queens Pizza, which is where the Hobnob Bakery stands now.

This food street is a serious business that includes no fancy presentation – just honest, good food that entices eaters into a very gluttonous feast. I remember my first experience of literally eating ‘at’ Boat Basin, and it was no light-hearted affair! It was a complete immersion in the halwa puri that was on the menu.

Make no mistake. If there’s one thing Karachi offers in abundance, it’s food. And if there’s one thing Karachiites are passionate about, it’s food.

Emitting a very palpable energy from a distance, a closer view reveals steam blowing from barbeque stands, a legion of waiters scurrying around prospective customers, and countless eateries for foodies to choose from. The grills might have sajji, tikka or boti on display – who knows? And honestly, as long as its mouth-watering food, I really don’t think it makes much of a difference. This is how one would associate with Boat Basin at night.

However, ‘seasoned’ eaters will have differing perspectives. Escaping lives fraught with everyday stress, these people will tell you about sitting on charpoys with their friends or families, sipping chai or lassi along with a hot meal of their choice – taking a break from their everyday lives.

While gradually settling into my seat, I noticed that the area didn’t seem to have changed much since I was in school. Nihari Inn probably hasn’t changed its signage since it first opened, while KFC seems to have been there since the beginning of time, just like Tandoori Hut and Thali Inn (again, with the same signs that don’t seem to ever change). The construction site across the road also seems to have been a work in progress since I was in the 10th grade, with no material progress whatsoever. A monumental tribute to Benazir Bhutto is a relatively recent addition, but taking a left turn on the said roundabout on the same road leads us on to Mai Kolachi, which again has maintained its basic façade over time.

This street being a regular part of my daily commute across the city, I silently observe the very palpable energy pulsating from across the road, and yet, am simultaneously always riveted by the sounds and aromas wafting their way from the food area. I sometimes trek my much bruised soul across Boat Basin to just absorb the energy, even if it means taking a detour towards a commercial area nearby.

In my mind, these food vendors might very well be amateur cooks; perhaps they are adopting family businesses from their forefathers, or possibly improvising recipes shared across generations. Maybe some of them are former corporate slaves who are now seen trying their hand at something new. Then there are stragglers like me, who come solely to absorb the energy, if nothing else. Maybe we’ll buy something to eat, maybe not – it truly doesn’t matter. When our silence is louder than words, we wish to sit on the charpoy and silently sip the chai we bought earlier, whilst attempting to evoke memories of chai sessions gone by.

Food tends to let our guard down. Despite having spent more than half my life here, Karachi remains as elusive to me as ever, even as I grew older and became a professional with a great group of friends and a more than satisfactory life. But as my guard falls here, I continue reminding myself that life finds a way and that I get to live to fight another day. In the background, I overhear Zohaib Hassan’s Muskuraye Ja playing.

Tomorrow will be another day in Karachi. But at this moment, giving in to the chaos of the soul, letting the tears stream – in Karachi, to just give in and start again is the easiest, and perhaps the best thing. I quickly looked around to see if anyone noticed, but this is Karachi, after all. Nobody seemed to care, or even know, as I breathed a sigh of relief.

As the crescendo of Muskuraye Ja reached its high, I realised that sometimes it’s easier to just hang around and sob; the silent tears that only you experience. And when you leave this place that encapsulates the spirit of Karachi, you start everything again.

This is Karachi, after all. Where even the gentlest of tugs melts the silence of the soul.

All photos: Sarah Fazli


........
Sarah Fazli
A qualified accountant with a business degree, I work for the banking sector in Karachi, and am very interested in reading and writing

All I know is that Karachiites put potatoes in their rice, and that's just weird. So I guess Lahore wins.

 

[xyxmt]

Will i get to eat biryani on my date with @path finder which you so generously offered to finance?

a deal is a deal

 

[El Sidd]

a deal is a deal

So when are you burning the forum?

 

[xyxmt]

If you can't handle the spices bro, you can sit at the kiddy table and have pulao instead.

I don't like spices where you don't taste the food but spices, Yes Pulao is awsome
In Canada people eat Biryani like daal chawal in Pakistan, you get to eat Biryani few times a week, where ever you go its Biryani... so much so that i really feel like throwing up hearing the word Biryani

 

[PakSarzameen5823]

Yes Pulao is awsome

Get out. Now.

where ever you go its Biryani... so much so that i really feel like throwing up hearing the word Biryani

I feel the same about daal. I only like daal with rice, otherwise it feels kinda like I'm eating horse food.

 

[ghazi52]

 

[Kabira]

These expensive food outlets are complete shitshow in Lahore, chacha jee, bombay chowpati, Butt Karahi etc. We found dhabas that come in between Kharian and Lahore, aka Gujranwala GT road where we stopped to take a break to be better in our recent trip. Not to forget as soon as you enter Lahore, its giant pile of shit and garbage smell. Gov should have spent more money on old Lahore to make it clean, very bad first impression for anyone going there from northern GT road portion.

This area is heap of garbage. Only when you cross this you will see wider roads, cleaner and more organised Lahore. Get ready to go through it at snail pace because of traffic. And the worst part is smell and pollution.

But army museum Lahore is thing of beauty, especially for defence enthusiasts.

 

[Kabira]

exactly both have their own specialties and i love both of them but did someone else noticed it that karachi is a cheaper city to live than lahore??? i am from lahore .. but every time i visited karachi i observed this phenomena ... am i the only one who noticed it ???

There isn't any speciality anywhere in Pakistan. Going to one place is all you need to experience what rest of Pakistan have to offer in food. Bitter truth. Same shit in different brand and place. Its likely good idea to avoid eating meat in any unknown place which look dirty and unhygienic.

He's true about Bun Kebab in Karachi check out Mark Wiens video of karachi Bun Kebab

Mark Wiens is fraud, he will eat shit and say its great. His trips are sponsored. We went to Butt Karahi near Gadaffi Stadium Lahore, same place where Mark went. Was feeling ill as soon as we left that place.

 

[krash]

Not to forget as soon as you enter Lahore, its giant pile of shit and garbage smell. Gov should have spent more money on old Lahore to make it clean, very bad first impression for anyone going there from northern GT road portion.

This area is heap of garbage. Only when you cross this you will see wider roads, cleaner and more organised Lahore. Get ready to go through it at snail pace because of traffic. And the worst part is smell and pollution.

But army museum Lahore is thing of beauty, especially for defence enthusiasts.

Comes with being ancient. Go to any old city area anywhere in the world and you'll find the same pollution, traffic and smells. Heck, cities younger by hundreds of years in North America and Europe still have that, though not at the same level as in our part of the world. Where were you visiting from, if you don't mind me asking?

Next time use the M2 instead of the GT road.

 

[Kabira]

Comes with being ancient. Go to any old city area anywhere in the world and you'll find the same pollution, traffic and smells. Heck, cities younger by hundreds of years in North America and Europe still have that, though not at the same level as in our part of the world. Where were you visiting from, if you don't mind me asking?

Next time use the M2 instead of the GT road.

From Kharian so only GT road. We were thinking about taking M2 from Kala shah kaku to reach our destiny but decided against it because we wanted to see interior Lahore.

Even poor eastern europe old cities are clean and well maintained let alone western europe.

We were expecting more from old Lahore considering claims of development. Anyway the new malls like Emporioum and Packages are probably best ones in Pakistan.

 

[Zee-shaun]

Karachi is the ultimate food capital of Pakistan where as Lahore and Peshawar excel in local food.

Btw, most Lahorees think Bay Leaf is Kadi Patta.

 

[lastofthepatriots]

Karachi has better tasting food and it has something to do with the water.

 

[BRAVO_]

let me deal with it

 

[fitpOsitive]

In the Karachi vs Lahore food debate, Boat Basin tips the scale in favour of the city of lights

By Sarah Fazli

This food street is a serious business that includes no fancy presentation – just honest, good food.

The server quickly refilled my (styrofoam) ‘cup’ of tea, and asked in the most inconspicuous and unassuming of tones if my nashta (breakfast) was to my liking. With such displays of courtesy, how could it not be?

This five-star service was not at an expensive restaurant in one of the more elitist areas of Karachi. No, this was at Dera, Boat Basin – one of Karachi’s go-to nashta places. Having recently achieved a significant milestone at work, we decided to have a commemorative breakfast at Boat Basin. It would be the usual halwa puri, and Dera itself requires no introduction.

Established in the early 2000s, Dera quickly emerged as one of the best nashta places in the city. The best item on their menu is indeed halwa puri, which is a traditional dish and is a local favourite, especially on lazy Sundays. Some old-school cooks serve halwa puri with mango pickle and sliced onion; others include a variation of eggs – desi omelette or fried eggs, depending upon what you prefer. A well-known secret is that this meal isn’t quite complete without a glass full of sweetened lassi.

The food capital of Pakistan is often said to be Lahore, but I beg to differ. Yes, Lahore has its attractions, but Karachi has made a solid mark in the foodie’s paradise – with its culinary delights ranging from paaye to pizza and ravioli to rabri. To enlighten those who have yet to undertake this sacred food pilgrimage, Boat Basin is the ultimate food street running through Khayaban-e-Saadi, parallel to the Benazir Bhutto Park and extends till the commercial area of Motta’s, Clifton. The area is famous for its mouth-watering plethora of food offering – which is exactly what people associate Boat Basin with.

While we were there for halwa puri, this is only the beginning when it comes to what Boat Basin has to offer. One can easily take a trip through crispy paratha rolls at Roll Inn, tantalising tikkay and bihari kabab, laden with spicy and fiery chutney at Tandoori Hut or Thali Inn, the traditional old is gold Hanifia burgers, or the iconic ice cream at Baloch. Those who grew up in the city will recall joints coming and going, where some, such as Mr Burger and Pizza Hut, relocated elsewhere after establishing their brand here, while others randomly disappeared, such as Kings and Queens Pizza, which is where the Hobnob Bakery stands now.

This food street is a serious business that includes no fancy presentation – just honest, good food that entices eaters into a very gluttonous feast. I remember my first experience of literally eating ‘at’ Boat Basin, and it was no light-hearted affair! It was a complete immersion in the halwa puri that was on the menu.

Make no mistake. If there’s one thing Karachi offers in abundance, it’s food. And if there’s one thing Karachiites are passionate about, it’s food.

Emitting a very palpable energy from a distance, a closer view reveals steam blowing from barbeque stands, a legion of waiters scurrying around prospective customers, and countless eateries for foodies to choose from. The grills might have sajji, tikka or boti on display – who knows? And honestly, as long as its mouth-watering food, I really don’t think it makes much of a difference. This is how one would associate with Boat Basin at night.

However, ‘seasoned’ eaters will have differing perspectives. Escaping lives fraught with everyday stress, these people will tell you about sitting on charpoys with their friends or families, sipping chai or lassi along with a hot meal of their choice – taking a break from their everyday lives.

While gradually settling into my seat, I noticed that the area didn’t seem to have changed much since I was in school. Nihari Inn probably hasn’t changed its signage since it first opened, while KFC seems to have been there since the beginning of time, just like Tandoori Hut and Thali Inn (again, with the same signs that don’t seem to ever change). The construction site across the road also seems to have been a work in progress since I was in the 10th grade, with no material progress whatsoever. A monumental tribute to Benazir Bhutto is a relatively recent addition, but taking a left turn on the said roundabout on the same road leads us on to Mai Kolachi, which again has maintained its basic façade over time.

This street being a regular part of my daily commute across the city, I silently observe the very palpable energy pulsating from across the road, and yet, am simultaneously always riveted by the sounds and aromas wafting their way from the food area. I sometimes trek my much bruised soul across Boat Basin to just absorb the energy, even if it means taking a detour towards a commercial area nearby.

In my mind, these food vendors might very well be amateur cooks; perhaps they are adopting family businesses from their forefathers, or possibly improvising recipes shared across generations. Maybe some of them are former corporate slaves who are now seen trying their hand at something new. Then there are stragglers like me, who come solely to absorb the energy, if nothing else. Maybe we’ll buy something to eat, maybe not – it truly doesn’t matter. When our silence is louder than words, we wish to sit on the charpoy and silently sip the chai we bought earlier, whilst attempting to evoke memories of chai sessions gone by.

Food tends to let our guard down. Despite having spent more than half my life here, Karachi remains as elusive to me as ever, even as I grew older and became a professional with a great group of friends and a more than satisfactory life. But as my guard falls here, I continue reminding myself that life finds a way and that I get to live to fight another day. In the background, I overhear Zohaib Hassan’s Muskuraye Ja playing.

Tomorrow will be another day in Karachi. But at this moment, giving in to the chaos of the soul, letting the tears stream – in Karachi, to just give in and start again is the easiest, and perhaps the best thing. I quickly looked around to see if anyone noticed, but this is Karachi, after all. Nobody seemed to care, or even know, as I breathed a sigh of relief.

As the crescendo of Muskuraye Ja reached its high, I realised that sometimes it’s easier to just hang around and sob; the silent tears that only you experience. And when you leave this place that encapsulates the spirit of Karachi, you start everything again.

This is Karachi, after all. Where even the gentlest of tugs melts the silence of the soul.

All photos: Sarah Fazli


........
Sarah Fazli
A qualified accountant with a business degree, I work for the banking sector in Karachi, and am very interested in reading and writing

I have neutralizers in my teeth. When ever some ethnic food comes in my mouth, it becomes just food.
Karachis biryanis are killer no doubt(and unbeatable too), but nobody on the face of earth can beat Lahoris in Naan, Kulcha, Nehari and Chana Dahi Bhally type of dishes.