What is Pakistan's signature dish when it comes to hot food?

[shaz619]

I've always wondered because you guys love Nihari and Mutton Biryani but is there like a concrete favourite which is a national treasure?

For example, there's no arguing that Fish and Chips is England's signature dish, does Pakistan have something of equal importance? or is there a general difference of opinion when it comes to your favourite hot food.

 

[Pakistanian]

Def Nihari

 

[shaz619]

[MENTION=100918]Square Drive[/MENTION] [MENTION=47617]Red Devil[/MENTION] [MENTION=138254]Syed1[/MENTION] [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] [MENTION=136079]ahmedwaqas92[/MENTION] [MENTION=138463]Slog[/MENTION] [MENTION=129948]Bilal7[/MENTION] [MENTION=135038]Major[/MENTION] [MENTION=132270]SL_Fan[/MENTION] [MENTION=134608]Hawkeye[/MENTION]

 

[Pakistanian]

Chicken Biryani too

 

[Syed1]

Has to be Nihari or Chicken Biryani. I don't think there is anything else that comes close to these two in terms of popularity across the board.

 

[shaz619]

Chicken Biryani too

My favourite, but is that something which Pakistani;s can call their own? and a signature dish?

 

[shaz619]

Has to be Nihari or Chicken Biryani. I don't think there is anything else that comes close to these two in terms of popularity across the board.

Did Pakistan originate Chicken Biryani or Nihari as well ?

 

[Hawkeye]

Nihari is NOT the signature dish. It's not much famous outside of Khi or maybe lhr.

Biryani is the thing.

 

[Pakistanian]

My favourite, but is that something which Pakistani;s can call their own? and a signature dish?

Heck yeah we can, Baklava is a signature dish in many countries that were part of the Ottoman empire even though it's originally Turkish.

 

[Slog]

Biryani

No offence but folks outside Karachi can't make nihari to save their lives

 

[Pakistanian]

Biryani

No offence but folks outside Karachi can't make nihari to save their lives

The restaurants that serve the best nihari here are run by people from Punjab.

 

[Syed1]

The restaurants that serve the best nihari here are run by people from Punjab.

Not true in Toronto... I've been a Nihari addict for a while and have tried any place that offers it. The best has been a place called Patna that is owned and run by folks from Karachi.

 

[Red Devil]

[MENTION=100918]Square Drive[/MENTION] [MENTION=47617]Red Devil[/MENTION] [MENTION=138254]Syed1[/MENTION] [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] [MENTION=136079]ahmedwaqas92[/MENTION] [MENTION=138463]Slog[/MENTION] [MENTION=129948]Bilal7[/MENTION] [MENTION=135038]Major[/MENTION] [MENTION=132270]SL_Fan[/MENTION] [MENTION=134608]Hawkeye[/MENTION]

Can't wait to hear [MENTION=132270]SL_Fan[/MENTION]'s opinion on this. I'm glad you tagged him.

Pakistan is culturally diverse, and what's popular in Balochistan might not hold the same status in Punjab and so on, but yeah as others have mentioned above, Chicken Biryani is probably the closest thing we have to a signature dish.

 

[Syed1]

Nihari is NOT the signature dish. It's not much famous outside of Khi or maybe lhr.

Biryani is the thing.

The thing is there is no single kind of Biryani. The Biryani in Karachi is generally more spicy, has more color and has potatoes in it along with the chicken. You don't have that in Punjab. I once went to interior Sindh and had their Biryani and it was DELICIOUS but it didn't have the signature Biryani color and lacking the aloos.

 

[Syed1]

Did Pakistan originate Chicken Biryani or Nihari as well ?

Both Nihari and Biryani are Mughal era dishes so Pakistanis can take credit for them, besides Nihari is made of beef and Biryani is either beef, mutton or chicken which majority of Indians do not consume. So Pakistanis can rightfully claim these dishes as their own.

 

[Pakistanian]

Not true in Toronto... I've been a Nihari addict for a while and have tried any place that offers it. The best has been a place called Patna that is owned and run by folks from Karachi.

How is my opinion not true?! You don't live where I live

 

[CricketCartoons]

I hope it is not the monstrosity aloo-chicken biryani which some Pakistani PPers are fond of.

 

[Syed1]

How is my opinion not true?! You don't live where I live

I said "Not true in Toronto".... did I say it wasn't true where you live???????

 

[Syed1]

I hope it is not the monstrosity aloo-chicken biryani which some Pakistani PPers are fond of.

Kabhi khai hai?

 

[Pakistanian]

I said "Not true in Toronto".... did I say it wasn't true where you live???????

It's been a rough day lol nvm

 

[Hawkeye]

The thing is there is no single kind of Biryani. The Biryani in Karachi is generally more spicy, has more color and has potatoes in it along with the chicken. You don't have that in Punjab. I once went to interior Sindh and had their Biryani and it was DELICIOUS but it didn't have the signature Biryani color and lacking the aloos.

It's not about signature taste or variation in taste.

Nihari is famous in a selected group or limited to few major cities.

Biryani is one that's revered and eaten all over the country. Heck whole subcontinent. No matter how many variations in taste.

 

[shaz619]

Both Nihari and Biryani are Mughal era dishes so Pakistanis can take credit for them, besides Nihari is made of beef and Biryani is either beef, mutton or chicken which majority of Indians do not consume. So Pakistanis can rightfully claim these dishes as their own.

I assumed the same but my Indian house mate said his family often cook vegetable biryani so they do make it, similar spices and all but no meat.

Which hot dish would you say is 90-100% Pakistani and a popular favourite

 

[shaz619]

[MENTION=47617]Red Devil[/MENTION]

 

[Pakistanian]

I assumed the same but my Indian house mate said his family often cook vegetable biryani so they do make it, similar spices and all but no meat.

Which hot dish would you say is 90-100% Pakistani and a popular favourite

I can't think of many dishes that were made post-1947, the only dish that possibly only eaten in Pakistan is lamb Sajji which is also probably eaten by Baluch in Iran too and Shab Daig which is eaten by Kashmiris in Pakistan they're aren't widely popular. Like i'm sure not even half of Pakistanis have even heard of them.

 

[troodon]

Both Nihari and Biryani are Mughal era dishes so Pakistanis can take credit for them, besides Nihari is made of beef and Biryani is either beef, mutton or chicken which majority of Indians do not consume. So Pakistanis can rightfully claim these dishes as their own.

I would say 80% of Indians consume chicken and mutton.

Only Brahmins, Jains and Gujratis are veggies in India.

It's a myth that Indians are all veggies.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Any meat/chicken salan with roti or nan + some salad and raita. That's it.

 

[Syed1]

I would say 80% of Indians consume chicken and mutton.

Only Brahmins, Jains and Gujratis are veggies in India.

It's a myth that Indians are all veggies.

That's what you want us to believe. I have interacted with quite a bit of Indians in my uni days and most of them have been vegetarian, that group that had the greatest number of non-veg folks was Sikhs from Punjab/Delhi.

 

[Pakistanian]

I would say 80% of Indians consume chicken and mutton.

Only Brahmins, Jains and Gujratis are veggies in India.

It's a myth that Indians are all veggies.

most of y'all are veggie bruh, we got like millions of Indians where I live and even the handful that eat some meat almost never eat beef.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Also, food made on the tandoor. The best stuff whether kebabs, rotis, nans, chicken legs comes from the clay ovens.

 

[TM Riddle]

Any meat/chicken salan with roti or nan + some salad and raita. That's it.

Its an Indian dish anyway.As usual Pakistanis taking credit for something that was originated in India.

 

[TM Riddle]

most of y'all are veggie bruh, we got like millions of Indians where I live and even the handful that eat some meat almost never eat beef.

I'm glad that you managed to find every single one of those million Indians and ask about their dietary habits.

 

[Pakistanian]

I'm glad that you managed to find every single one of those million Indians and ask about their dietary habits.

I've interacted with them and even worked in service back in high school and trust me we knew what an indian customer is gonna order when walk they through the doors loool

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Its an Indian dish anyway.As usual Pakistanis taking credit for something that was originated in India.

I've seen what Indians eat over here, it doesn't even come close. Pakistanis aren't ashamed of their heritage either bro, we eat food from our region, only it's not restricted to veggies.

 

[Red Devil]

I assumed the same but my Indian house mate said his family often cook vegetable biryani so they do make it, similar spices and all but no meat.

Which hot dish would you say is 90-100% Pakistani and a popular favourite

Chapli kebab? It originates from Peshawar and it's very popular all over the country.

 

[TM Riddle]

I've seen what Indians eat over here, it doesn't even come close. Pakistanis aren't ashamed of their heritage either bro, we eat food from our region, only it's not restricted to veggies.

I was talking about the biryani which was originated in region around Delhi.
And as someone mentioned before, it's a huge myth that most Indians are veggies, not that there's anything wrong with it.

 

[shaz619]

Chapli kebab? It originates from Peshawar and it's very popular all over the country.

Thanks am just trying to make up a list of all the foods I can eat, I have a phobia of eating anything that originates from India and can get very sick; my doctor said I should open this thread to get help from my loved ones on PP.

So my list so far of Pakistani foods:

Nihari
Chapli Kebabs
Chicken Biryani

Feel free to add 90-100% Pakistani hot foods lads

 

[Pakistanian]

Its an Indian dish anyway.As usual Pakistanis taking credit for something that was originated in India.

It's a Mughalai dish originating from the colonial rule of the Mughals over India, it's as Indian as Cricket.

 

[shaz619]

Can't wait to hear [MENTION=132270]SL_Fan[/MENTION]'s opinion on this. I'm glad you tagged him.

Pakistan is culturally diverse, and what's popular in Balochistan might not hold the same status in Punjab and so on, but yeah as others have mentioned above, Chicken Biryani is probably the closest thing we have to a signature dish.

It's my favourite and I didn't even know it was a signature dish! what a true patriot the bear is

 

[Pakistanian]

Signature drink is definitely Pakola! More original and Pakistani than Lassi, Kashmiri chai and Rooh Afza.

 

[TM Riddle]

It's a Mughalai dish originating from the colonial rule of the Mughals over India, it's as Indian as Cricket.

But we don't consider mughals as colonials as they like many previous invaders got assimilated in the rich indian culture and are one of our own now.You are talking like one of those Hindutva idiots who claim all muslims are foreigners.And if we go by your logic then every ruler in India was a colonial in some sort of way as this part of south Asia has scene continued invasions since ancient times.
Next please don't claim Taj Mahal as Pakistani virasat.

 

[shaz619]

Signature drink is definitely Pakola! More original and Pakistani than Lassi, Kashmiri chai and Rooh Afza.

Signature drink has to be Miranda, it's what we drank during the weekend when I went to school in pak

 

[Rayyman]

[MENTION=46929]shaz619[/MENTION] bhai Karahi is from Lahore iirc.

 

[Pakistanian]

Signature drink has to be Miranda, it's what we drank during the weekend when I went to school in pak

Dude Miranda isn't even a Pakistani brand and wasn't made in Pakistan while Pakola was made in Pakistan, is as old is the country. It's also GREEN and has PAK in it's freaking name. How can you even compare the two *facepalm*

 

[Pakistanian]

But we don't consider mughals as colonials as they like many previous invaders got assimilated in the rich indian culture and are one of our own now.You are talking like one of those Hindutva idiots who claim all muslims are foreigners.And if we go by your logic then every ruler in India was a colonial in some sort of way as this part of south Asia has scene continued invasions since ancient times.
Next please don't claim Taj Mahal as Pakistani virasat.

No but the Lahore Fort and Badshahi mosque are, biryani can't be compared to the Taj loool. It's funny how normally reasonable Indians end up turning into hindutvas when it comes to Pakistan cause we're usually the ones labelled foreigners to the subcontinent.

 

[shaz619]

Dude Miranda isn't even a Pakistani brand and wasn't made in Pakistan while Pakola was made in Pakistan, is as old is the country. It's also GREEN and has PAK in it's freaking name. How can you even compare the two *facepalm*

I've never had that drink, everyone drank loads of Miranda though and it was the popular choice. Will be looking to find a Pakola not sure if anyone stocks it in the UK though

 

[Rayyman]

I've never had that drink, everyone drank loads of Miranda though and it was the popular choice

Also Payye and Korma are Pakistani I think

 

[Pakistanian]

I've never had that drink, everyone drank loads of Miranda though and it was the popular choice

Lol how have you not heard of Pakola, it's like the most well known Pakistani drink. I didn't even grow up in Pakistan but I know it's popular there and over here you can find it at desi grocery stores.

 

[Adil_94]

A lot of Pakistani cuisine is from what was popular in the former Mughal heartlands in North India especially UP and Delhi as well a mix of Persian and Afghan cuisine its what makes it one of the best.

Id say Biryani is up there as a national dish. Chapli Kebab is top notch too.

tandoori chicken masala fish seekh kebab are some of the best Pakistani cuisine.

 

[shaz619]

A lot of Pakistani cuisine is from what was popular in the former Mughal heartlands in North India especially UP and Delhi as well a mix of Persian and Afghan cuisine its what makes it one of the best.

Id say Biryani is up there as a national dish. Chapli Kebab is top notch too.

tandoori chicken masala fish seekh kebab are some of the best Pakistani cuisine.

In terms of the present day, which regions make up the mughal heartlands and north india?

Yeah Red Devil said Chapli Kebab comes from Peshawar, it's okay to eat and the Biryani as well 100% Pakistani

 

[Pakistanian]

In terms of the present day, which regions make up the mughal heartlands and north india?

Punjab, KP, Northwest India, Hyderabad (The indian one). Karachi was never a Mughal heartland but half it's population does originate from there.

 

[Adil_94]

[MENTION=46929]shaz619[/MENTION] UP Delhi Bihar were the centre of Jharkand to a lesser extent Jharkand Esp the cities of Agra Lucknow Allahabad and Delhi was their capital. though Mughal rule did extend into Punjab which is the most dominant part of Pakistan it wasnt a Mughal heartland and Punjabis resisted a lot against the Mughals . Punjab pre partition was a lot different to now where it has been exposed to a lot more north indian influences due to arrival of the muhajirs mainly from UP and Delhi.

 

[shaz619]

[MENTION=46929]shaz619[/MENTION] bhai Karahi is from Lahore iirc.

100% I agree with you come to think about it because it is only Pakistani restaurants in the UK who offer Karahi no one else does because they did not originate it

 

[Pakistanian]

[MENTION=46929]shaz619[/MENTION] UP Delhi Bihar were the centre of Jharkand to a lesser extent Jharkand Esp the cities of Agra Lucknow Allahabad and Delhi was their capital. though Mughal rule did extend into Punjab which is the most dominant part of Pakistan it wasnt a Mughal heartland and Punjabis resisted a lot against the Mughals . Punjab pre partition was a lot different to now where it has been exposed to a lot more north indian influences due to arrival of the muhajirs mainly from UP and Delhi.

Lahore was a Mughal capital tho, and I believe Multan had a lot of Afghan influence.

 

[shaz619]

Any meat/chicken salan with roti or nan + some salad and raita. That's it.

My favourite combinations as well although I love Biryani as well, I love Keema Karahi to; it's a bit underrated compared to Chicken and Lamb/Beef

 

[shaz619]

Punjab, KP, Northwest India, Hyderabad (The indian one). Karachi was never a Mughal heartland but half it's population does originate from there.

So which foods can Punjab and Karachi can take 100% credit for originating?

 

[Pakistanian]

So which foods can Punjab and Karachi can take 100% credit for originating?

Dude I can't think of anything invented in the last 70 years.

 

[Rayyman]

100% I agree with you come to think about it because it is only Pakistani restaurants in the UK who offer Karahi no one else does because they did not originate it

Well then there is ur answer

/thread

 

[Pakistanian]

Halwa Puri with the channay is also a super Pakistani dish, I'm sure everybody's had it for breakfast before.

 

[FreakCricket]

There's nothing original about Indian Food beside dal roti, most non veg food came from central asia/ Persia.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

Pakoorayyyy when hot are damn mazay kay.
and dish mai it has to be hot Bihari kabab.

 

[Jin Chacha]

Not a single mention of Chicken Tikka? I think it is pretty close to biryani in popularity and the Pakistani version is rather distinct from other versions. And I am not talking about the abomination that is sold as chicken tikka masala in the west but the simple barbecued tikka.

 

[shaz619]

Halwa Puri with the channay is also a super Pakistani dish, I'm sure everybody's had it for breakfast before.

It does ring a bell, was served a few times a week in me pak school. Man Pakistani food is the greatest of all time, wish I could go there on a food tour; obviously there are some nice places in the west but the food is on another level in Pakistan.

 

[Adil_94]

[MENTION=142256]Pakistanian[/MENTION] it was but the heart of the mughal empire was delhi and its surrounding areas. punjab had more autonomy away from the imperial court. Mughals relied on rajputs to rule for them in Punjab both Muslim and Hindu.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

A lot of Pakistani cuisine is from what was popular in the former Mughal heartlands in North India especially UP and Delhi as well a mix of Persian and Afghan cuisine its what makes it one of the best.

Id say Biryani is up there as a national dish. Chapli Kebab is top notch too.

tandoori chicken masala fish seekh kebab are some of the best Pakistani cuisine.

Yes indeed. Pakistani food is very cosmopolitan, it has influences from India, Persia and Afghanistan depending on where you live.

 

[Indiafan]

I hope it is not the monstrosity aloo-chicken biryani which some Pakistani PPers are fond of.

Is this similar to the bengali Aloo chicken biryani which is non spicy?

 

[Indiafan]

There's nothing original about Indian Food beside dal roti, most non veg food came from central asia/ Persia.

How can the dishes in the deep south etc come from Persia? Do you even know how many dishes we even have?

 

[shaz619]

How can the dishes in the deep south etc come from Persia? Do you even know how many dishes we even have?

How many do you have and which ones do you originate?

 

[Pakistanian]

In retrospect I don't think there's one signature dish for all of Pakistan, there's one for every region and ethnicity. For me and other Pakistanis with Kashmiri roots it's probably Shaab daig.

 

[Square Drive]

Both Nihari and Biryani are Mughal era dishes so Pakistanis can take credit for them, besides Nihari is made of beef and Biryani is either beef, mutton or chicken which majority of Indians do not consume. So Pakistanis can rightfully claim these dishes as their own.

Well said, exactly my sentiments.

Not true in Toronto... I've been a Nihari addict for a while and have tried any place that offers it. The best has been a place called Patna that is owned and run by folks from Karachi.

Patna Kabob House, the one near Lawrence?

Have been there before to have their Kababs/Dum ka Keema and was not very impressed tbh.

Is their Nihari actually good?

 

[Square Drive]

With respect to the OP, it has to be chicken biryani, no doubt. We are known for that.

Nihari has some sus Indian roots (Delhi/Lukhnow) but as mentioned by [MENTION=138254]Syed1[/MENTION], most of those folks can't even eat meat, and so I'd still consider it Pakistani. But yeah, Biryani for sure.

 

[Syed1]

Well said, exactly my sentiments.



Patna Kabob House, the one near Lawrence?

Have been there before to have their Kababs/Dum ka Keema and was not very impressed tbh.

Is their Nihari actually good?

Yup the closest major intersection is Lawrence and Pharmacy. I love their Nihari. Their kababs aren't bad either but they have their off days.

For good kababs go to BBQ Tonight in Mississauga at Dundas and Hurontario.

 

[Square Drive]

Yup the closest major intersection is Lawrence and Pharmacy. I love their Nihari. Their kababs aren't bad either but they have their off days.

For good kababs go to BBQ Tonight in Mississauga at Dundas and Hurontario.

Haha this guy knowssss!

Have passed by that BBQ Tonite a lot of times but haven't been. However, been there quite a few times in Pakistan. Had their Handi, ribs, etc. and ate too much... so much so that I had severe diarrhea and made good use of their toilets for 30+ minutes.

 

[ilovebouncers]

I've always wondered because you guys love Nihari and Mutton Biryani but is there like a concrete favourite which is a national treasure?

For example, there's no arguing that Fish and Chips is England's signature dish, does Pakistan have something of equal importance? or is there a general difference of opinion when it comes to your favourite hot food.

Haleem and Chicken Karahi!

 

[Mamoon]

[MENTION=100918]Square Drive[/MENTION] [MENTION=47617]Red Devil[/MENTION] [MENTION=138254]Syed1[/MENTION] [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] [MENTION=136079]ahmedwaqas92[/MENTION] [MENTION=138463]Slog[/MENTION] [MENTION=129948]Bilal7[/MENTION] [MENTION=135038]Major[/MENTION] [MENTION=132270]SL_Fan[/MENTION] [MENTION=134608]Hawkeye[/MENTION]

Chicken biryani and aloo gosht.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Chicken Biryani,Nihari and Chicken karhai.

 

[TalentSpotterPk]

Haleem and Chicken Karahi!

Chicken Biryani,Nihari and Chicken karhai.

Finally. Alhamdoulillah.

 

[maverick85]

Saloonay chaaval w/ lamb chaamp

 

[Nostalgic]

Chicken Biryani,Nihari and Chicken karhai.

Finally. Alhamdoulillah.

Well spotted. Very few people use the arcane variant, karhai. Older literature, up until at least the 19th century and possibly later, mentions karhai as the name of the utensil. These days karhai means embroidery, and the utensil is karahi.

 

[TalentSpotterPk]

Well spotted. Very few people use the arcane variant, karhai. Older literature, up until at least the 19th century and possibly later, mentions karhai as the name of the utensil. These days karhai means embroidery, and the utensil is karahi.

You are our resident Aftab Iqbal of forum who educates Us about multiple use of Urdu words. It definitely helps overseas kids.

Yes it's called Karahi mainly because it is made in a specific utensil Karahi. Every City caters this dish and there are multiple types of this dish.


Yes Biryani is also quite famous and common with Sindhi & Hyderabadi Biryani the best ones but Biryani is a dish which is quite popular in some parts of India aswell so it's a shared cuisine between neighbours.

The embroidery (karahi) is shared aswell

 

[www787]

Not true in Toronto... I've been a Nihari addict for a while and have tried any place that offers it. The best has been a place called Patna that is owned and run by folks from Karachi.

patna has the best Nihari Toronto.