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What is Pakistan’s national dish? Hint: It’s not daal roti!

the food in Pakistan is way too good addictive. you buy meat alive at the market and even negotiate price and take it home and cook it fresh. but i paid extra to relatives they farmer folks so i knew i was getting best meat plus uncle will do the dirty work by slaughtering and the rest. i just lie down have capstan.

the food in Pakistan is way too good addictive. you buy meat alive at the market and even negotiate price and take it home and cook it fresh. but i paid extra to relatives they farmer folks so i knew i was getting best meat plus uncle will do the dirty work by slaughtering and the rest. i just lie down have capstan.
 
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The use of tomatoes was frowned upon even 30ish years ago inour household. ANd sourness had to come from yogurt. But the tomato has fought back. It's just easier to use and store.
i have never ever used any Tomato for preparing any kind of meat !
 
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Daal chawal (Lentils and rice) So if roti with daal is not so popular in the drier and colder regions of the country, then is it more popular with rice?

No.

Sorry daal, you just did not have what it takes to please the whole country.

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Pulao – In any form, kabuli or otherwise, made with chickpeas or meat or some other method, pulao is very popular in parts of K-P and Balochistan, and in fact is more regularly eaten than dishes which require bread. But rice generally, if one looks at the whole country, is not as popular, despite biryani’s attempt at glorifying the seed.

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Sabzi roti (vegetables and flat bread) – This covers cauliflower, peas, potatoes, aubergine, ladyfingers, etc. cooked either independently or in a mixed format. Well, if all the vegetables are taken as a whole, then sabzi might actually be the most consumed dish in all the regions of Pakistan. However, for the sake of being fair to non-vegetable foods, we must treat all vegetables are a separate dish.

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If not any of above, then what single dish could take the title?

Well, according to random questions asked from strangers from across the country representing a not so very accurate cross section of society, race and religion, the most common dish may actually be saag roti. So, it seems, roti may end up in the winning equation after all.

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However, how does saag potentially top the supposed popularity contest? It turns out that assaag is not very expensive, it is preferred over other vegetables and lentils in rural areas throughout a majority of Pakistan. That potentially makes it the most consumed dish region-wise and perhaps in sheer quantity as well. With a bit of desi makhan (local butter), it even mimics the national colours.

So does that qualify it to be the national dish of Pakistan?

In my personal opinion, no it does not. Why not? I don’t know, naming something as banal assaag as our national dish would not be doing justice to the cuisine.

Which brings me to my point regarding the difficulty in selecting a national dish for a country as culturally diverse and rich in its culinary heritage as Pakistan, it’s impossible. So, let’s all just settle for biryani and call it a day, and, while we are at it, lets also declare cricket as ournational sport – about time.
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Aloo Gossht + bread / basmati rice

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What is Pakistan’s national dish?
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As I said,

Aloo Gosht (potato + Mutton) is a go to dish.

Served mostly with Roti
But goes equally well with basmati rice.
 
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Stuffed karela (Bitter Gourd)

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Karachi's top 5 biryani joints

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It's rare to find someone who doesn't love the delectable blend of meat, rice, spices, and of course raita.


KARACHI: Of all the popular and affordable foods available in the city, biryani has been and continues to be the favourite dish among Karachiites.

It’s rare to find someone who doesn’t love the delectable blend of meat, rice, spices, and of course raita.

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But amidst the multitude of eateries offering this dish, the taste is always different at each joint; some focus on spices while others on meat or rice. The question that remains though is, where do you go for that perfect plate of biryani?

To make your life easy, we got our hands on some of the most delicious biryani in Karachi and here are our chosen top five:

5. White Biryani

A new variant to the typically yellow/orange biryani, White Biryani launched in 2014 and is fast gaining loyal customers who swear by the taste and quality. In addition to that, the prices are also affordable and have surprisingly decreased recently.

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They serve white chicken biryani throughout the week and beef biryani only on weekends. Because it’s home made, all the products used are of the highest quality and hygiene standards are maintained, the manager tells us. ”We use green spices, no red or colourful spices that can harm one’s health,” he explains.

Currently operating in just one branch in DHA Phase 6, the outlet can only manage to fit around 18 to 20 people. Almost 95 per cent of their orders are through delivery. The owners are expanding though, with one more branch likely to open soon.

One customer, Saad Islam Khan, tells us: “It’s one of the best biryanis I have tried so far. Wonderful taste and serving size is quite good.”

Prices: Rs190 for single, Rs320 for double

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4. Biryani of the Seas

Another take on the traditional biryani, Biryani of the Seas started with fish and prawn biryani and later added chicken and BBQ to its menu. Their aim is to provide a “desi touch to sea food,” claims the manager, Hasan Raza.

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The masala and taste are really unique and the service is great too. In addition to that, the quantity is great for the price and provides real value for money.

The joint has two branches, with family halls for comfortable seating, and receives an average of 250 customers per day.

Customer Barzaan Arbab, said, “Love the location and food, especially in winters. Best hangout.”

Another happy customer Hira Zeeshan shared her experience saying, “Had an amazing time today. Yummy food, clean environment, and fast service. 9/10 for prawn biryani, Dhaka fish and shawarma platter — all were way too perfect!”

Prices: Starting from Rs175

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3. Student Biryani

Of course, the pioneer of the ‘biryani cafe’, Student Biryani makes it to the list. It opened in 1969 as Cafe Student and then later changed its name to Student Biryani.

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This popular eatery is the first international chain — it’s now operating in Qatar, Australia, Makkah and Jeddah.

Manager Maqsood, claims that this is because the recipe they use is different from the rest and they make their own masala and raita. “Previously the trend was to have beef biryani, but we brought in the chicken biryani trend. We worked hard to get here. We aren’t scared of competition,” he said.

One Student Biryani fan, Nawaz, said, “I have been eating Student Biryani since the last 10 years and I don’t like any other biryani now. I’m addicted.”

Prices: Starting from Rs150

2. Indus Foods

This joint has become so popular for its biryani that people know it as Indus Biryani instead of the actual name Indus Foods!

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Manager Noor Muhammad tells us this is because their quality has remained consistent since the beginning, so have their employees. “We also make our own raita and masalas which have remained the same since we opened our outlet,” he said.

The taste makes up for the lack of variety in the menu. They only serve chicken biryani, but beef biryani can be made on order. Their parathasand keema are also a favourite among fans.

Noor Muhammad proudly says he doesn’t know the number of customers they serve each day because it’s difficult to keep count.

One customer, Ali, said he just comes to the outlet because he’s hungry. However, another customer, Rameez, claims it’s the “best biryani in Pakistan. You’re not a Karachiite if you haven’t had Indus biryani!”

Prices: Starting from Rs150
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1. Biryani Centre

And our top pick is Biryani Centre! Opened in 2001, this joint offers a wide variety of biryani dishes, all while maintaining amazing taste and quality.


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Chicken Biryani


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Tikka Biryani

Chicken, tikka, fish, batair, mutton, beef — all kinds of biryani are available at this restaurant that caters to around 1200 people daily. With four branches in the city, it’s no wonder that this is the centre for biryani.

Manager Imroz Khan tells us they use original masala and recipe, buy rice themselves, use oil instead of ghee, and make their own spices — all of which contribute to the unique flavour.

They used to make their own raita before, but now too many companies have opened up who do that job so they have stopped. “Biryani is the core element, not raita,” says Imroz.

He also said they rarely increase prices which adds to the affordability of the food. One die-hard fan, Haider Ali, said, “I came all the way from Lahore just to eat this biryani. It’s the best!”

Another customer, Mohammad Mohtashim “guarantees” that this is the best biryani in town.

Prices: Starting from Rs140
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Ive eaten at a lot of Pakistani homes in my life so far due to different reasons. Some of those people i knew well, other were little known and some were complete strangers. Based on this experience i can safely say that the national dish of Pakistan is chicken salan or chicken masala or we can also call it chicken curry or chicken with gravy. This is what almost all pakistani homes serve. Writer of the article says meat is out of reach of common man, i say bollocks. Even poor people arrange for chicken for their guests.
 
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Pakistan is one proud nation where every city has its own culinary specialty

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From samosas to seekh kebab, here's a round-up of the most flavorful 'desi food' in Pakistan

Can you imagine driving past Boat Basin in Karachi without grabbing some lip-smacking chaat to go? Or walking through Lahore on a hot day without grabbing a lassi?

When it comes to desi food, Pakistan is one proud nation where every city has its own specialty.
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