Islamabad Dishes: 10 Most Popular Islamabad Foods. This comprehensive culinary guide showcases the diverse flavors sourced from various regions of Pakistan.
Islamabad takes great pride in presenting an exquisite array of dishes that are sure to captivate your taste buds.
Whether you are a local or a visitor, this guide is your go-to resource for experiencing the finest culinary delights the city has to offer.
1. Halwa Puri
A popular breakfast platter in Pakistan and India, Halwa Puri is a delightful dish originating from the Indian subcontinent.
Typically enjoyed as a weekend brunch, this Pakistani breakfast includes puris, chole masala, suji halwa, and aloo ki bhujia. While it is cherished throughout the region, it holds a special place in the hearts of Lahoris. – Islamabad Foods
2. Kabuli Pulao
A popular breakfast platter in Pakistan and India, Halwa Puri is a delightful dish originating from the Indian subcontinent.
Typically enjoyed as a weekend brunch, this Pakistani breakfast includes puris, chole masala, suji halwa, and aloo ki bhujia. While it is cherished throughout the region, it holds a special place in the hearts of Lahoris.
Kabuli Pulao holds a significant place as a celebratory and significant meal, owing to its focus on the excellence of the components, and its recognition as a renowned Afghan culinary delight.
It can be savored as a primary course, complemented by customary accompaniments, or featured as a component of a grand feast. – Islamabad Foods
3. Chicken karahi
Chicken karahi, also known as gosht karahi when made with goat or lamb meat, is a popular chicken dish originating from South Asia.
Renowned for its spicy flavor, it holds a significant place in South Asian Cuisine. The preparation of this dish involves using a karahi, a traditional wok-like utensil and can take approximately 30 to 50 minutes to cook.
The distinctive taste of chicken karahi is achieved through the inclusion of cumin, green chilis, ginger, garlic, tomatoes, and coriander. It is commonly served alongside naan, roti, or rice.
This culinary masterpiece is considered a culinary gem in both North Indian and Pakistani cuisine. – Islamabad Foods
4. Haleem
Haleem, a stew that is widely consumed in South Asia, the Middle East, and Central Asia, is a dish that varies from region to region. It may include wheat or barley, meat, and lentils.
The meat is blended or mashed in the curry and served hot with flatbreads or on its own. The original Haleem, which is different from this variety, is an ancient Iranian dish served with wheat, meat, cinnamon, and sugar that remains popular in Iran to this day.
Haleem is commonly sold as a snack in bazaars throughout the year. Additionally, it holds a special significance during the Ramadan and Muharram months of the Muslim Hijri calendar, being prepared worldwide. This dish is particularly popular among Pakistanis and Indian Muslims.
Due to the dish sharing its name with one of the names of Allah, specifically Al Haleem, some neo-Orthodox fundamentalist South Asian Muslims have chosen to call it “Daleem”. – Islamabad Foods
5. Nihari
Nihari, a dish known for its spiciness, taste, texture, and gravy, is said to have originated in the royal kitchens of Lucknow, Awadh in the late 18th century.
It was initially intended as a heavy, high-energy breakfast option for working-class individuals in colder climates and seasons.
Nihari, a traditional dish popular among Indian Muslim communities in Lucknow, Delhi, and Bhopal, gained significant recognition and availability in Karachi, Pakistan, following the migration of Urdu-speaking Muslims from northern India after the partition of India in 1947.
These migrants established numerous restaurants that served this delectable dish. Over time, Karachi-style beef nihari became widely acclaimed and enjoyed in Ras Tanura, Saudi Arabia, where it is garnished with ginger, coriander leaves, and green chilies.
Interestingly, some restaurants incorporate leftover nihari from the previous day into the next day’s pot, creating a distinct flavor known as taar. Remarkably, certain nihari establishments in Old Delhi boast of maintaining an unbroken cycle of taar for over a century. – Islamabad Foods
6. Mutton Korma
Mutton korma is an exquisite and aromatic curry that is ideal for commemorating significant occasions like Eid or family gatherings.
In my viewpoint, mutton korma surpasses chicken korma due to its extended cooking duration, allowing the flavors to permeate the meat thoroughly. Consequently, the flavors intensify, resulting in a harmonious amalgamation of tastes. – Islamabad Foods
7. Tikka Kebab
This appetizing dish, Chicken Tikka Kebab, is bursting with flavor. The recipe involves marinating chicken pieces in yogurt, lime juice, and fragrant spices, before skewering and cooking them to perfection. It can be prepared in an air fryer or oven for a gathering, or added to your weekly meal prep. – Islamabad Foods
8. Paya
Paya, a traditional food from South Asia, is commonly served at festivals, gatherings, and for special guests. The origins of paya can be traced back to the fusion of South Asian Pakistani and Central Asian cuisines.
The dish was introduced and adapted by the skilled cooks of Lahore, Hyderabad in Telangana State, and Lucknow. As a result, paya gained popularity throughout present-day India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.
It can also be found in restaurants outside of the Indian subcontinent that specialize in South Asian cuisine. – Islamabad Foods
9. Biriyani
Biryani, a mixed rice dish with origins among the Muslims of South Asia, incorporates a blend of spices, vegetables, and rice, and typically includes a variety of meats such as chicken, beef, goat, lamb, prawn, or fish.
It is worth noting that there are instances where Biryani is prepared without any meat, and on occasion, it may include eggs and potatoes.
This delectable dish holds immense popularity not only within South Asia but also among the diaspora from the region.
Additionally, similar variations of Biryani are savored in other parts of the world, including Iraq, Myanmar, Thailand, and Malaysia.
It is noteworthy that Biryani holds the distinction of being the most frequently ordered dish on Indian online food ordering and delivery platforms, and is widely regarded as the most popular dish in India overall. – Islamabad Foods
10. Chapli Kebab
Chapli Kebab, also known as Chapli Kabab, is a minced kebab in the Pashtun style. It is typically made from ground beef, mutton, or chicken mixed with various spices and shaped into a patty.
Originating from Peshawar in Pakistan, the Peshawari Chapli Kabab is particularly famous and is widely enjoyed as a street food across South Asia, including countries like Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh.
In India, Chapli Kabab is commonly found as street food in cities such as Bhopal, Lucknow, Delhi, and Hyderabad, where there is a higher concentration of Muslims.
In Dhaka, Bangladesh, Chapli Kababs are widely consumed, especially during the time of Eid-ul Azha and Ramadan as part of iftar. These delectable kebabs can be enjoyed hot and are often served with naan or as a bun kebab. – Islamabad Foods