Cuisine of Karachi facts for kids
Karachi cuisine (Urdu: کراچی پکوان) refers to the food found mainly in the city of Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan. It is a multicultural cuisine as a result of the city consisting of various ethnic groups from different parts of Pakistan. Karachi is considered the melting pot of Pakistan.
The cuisine of Karachi is strongly influenced by the city's Muhajir population, who came from various parts of British India and settled primarily in Karachi after the independence of Pakistan in 1947. Most Urdu speaking Muslims have traditionally been based in Karachi, hence the city is known for multi cultural tastes in its cuisine. These Muslims maintained their old established culinary traditions, including variety of dishes and beverages.
Karachi cuisine is renowned for its cultural fusion, due to various empires and peoples living in this mega city. As a result many multi ethnic cuisines collaboratively had an influence on the style of Karachi food. The Pakistani cuisines such as Sindhi cuisine, Punjabi cuisine, Pashtun cuisine, Kalash cuisine, Saraiki cuisine, Kashmiri cuisine, Balochi cuisine, Chitrali cuisine and other regional cuisines have also influenced the cuisine of Karachi.
Historical influences
The arrival of Islam within South Asia influenced the local cuisine to a great degree. The influence of the Central Asian, South Asian and Middle Eastern cuisine in Pakistani food is ubiquitous. Since Muslims are forbidden to eat pork or consume alcohol and the Halal dietary guidelines are strictly observed, Pakistanis focus on other areas of food such as Beef, Lamb, Chicken, Fish, and Vegetables as well as traditional Fruit and Dairy.
Dishes
- Aloo (potato) cholay (peas)
- Aloo (potato) chaat
- Aloo (potato) paratha (Urdu: آلو پراٹھا)
- Anda (egg) paratha
- Bakarkhani or Baqerkhani
- Bihari kebab
- Bun kebab
- Chargha
- Chicken karahi
- Chicken tikka
- Dalcha (also called Dal gosht)
- Double ka meetha (also called Shahi tukra)
- Falooda (Urdu: فالودہ)
- Firni
- Gajar ka halwa
- Gobhi (cauliflower) paratha
- Golgappa (also called Panipuri)
- Haleem
- Halwa poori
- Hyderabadi biryani (Urdu: حیدرآبادی بریانی)
- Jalebi
- Kachori
- Kadhi or karhi (Urdu: کڑھی)
- Kata-kat
- Kheer
- Kofta (Urdu:كوفته)
- Kulcha (Urdu: کلچه)
- Lukhmi (Urdu: لقمی)
- Namak para
- Nargisi kofta
- Nihari, a popular national dish in Pakistan, was originally brought by Muhajirs (immigrants) from Delhi, India.
- Paan (Urdu: پان), a traditional Muhajir betel leaf stimulant
- Pakora (Urdu: پکوڑا)
- Pasanda(Urdu: پسندے)
- Pulao (Urdu: پلاؤ)
- Qorma (Urdu: قورمه)
- Rabri
- Raita
- Ras malai
- Sajji
- Samosa
- Seekh kebab
- Shami kebab
- Shawarma
- Sheer korma or Sheer khurma
- Sheermal or Shirmal (Urdu: شیرمال)
- Siri paya
- Taftan (Urdu: تافتان)
- Ajwain Paratha
- Anday wala Burger (Egg Burger)
- Chana Chaat
- Boti Kebab
- Channa Dal paratha
- Dahi Baray
- Dhaniya Paratha
- Fry Kebab
- Galawati Kebab
- Gil e firdaus
- Gola Kebab
- Habshi Halwa
- Kache Qeema Kebab
- Kaleji (liver) Kabab
- Kebab roll
- Lamb karahi
- Lamb Tikka
- Lauki ka Paratha
- Lauki Ka Halwa
- Mashed dal Paratha
- Mattar (peas) Paratha
- Methi (fenugreek leaves) wala Paratha
- Mooli (Reddish ) Paratha
- Murgh -e- Musallam
- Pyaz (onion) ka Paratha
- Qeema Naan
- Qeema Paratha
- Reshmi Kebab
- Rizala
- Rumali Roti (Urdu: رومالی روٹی)
- Shab Daig
- Sultani Dal
- Tandoori Paratha
- Tahihri (rice colored yellow with potato)
- Warqui (layered) Paratha
- Zamin Doz Macchli (fish stuffed with spices and sealed in earthenware case which is then cooked for 8 hours)