22 most popular Pakistani foods you should try

Pakistan is known for its rich and diverse culinary traditions. Here are 22 popular Pakistani foods that you should try:

Biryani: Biryani is a classic Pakistani dish that combines fragrant rice with meat, such as chicken or mutton, cooked with a blend of spices, herbs, and sometimes saffron. It's a flavorful and aromatic one-pot meal.

Karahi: Karahi is a popular savory dish named after the utensil it's cooked in—a wok-like pan called a karahi. It usually features chicken, mutton, or beef cooked with tomatoes, onions, and a blend of spices. The result is a delicious and spicy dish with a rich gravy.

Haleem: Haleem is a slow-cooked stew made with wheat, lentils, and meat, typically beef or chicken. It's simmered for hours with a variety of spices to create a thick and creamy consistency. Haleem is often enjoyed during festive occasions.

Nihari: Nihari is a beloved Pakistani dish that originated in the city of Delhi. It's a rich and flavorful meat stew made from slow-cooked beef or mutton, with a spicy gravy. Nihari is traditionally eaten with naan bread.

Chapli kebab: Hailing from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, chapli kebab is a popular street food. These spiced minced meat patties are made from a blend of ground meat, herbs, and spices, and are usually shallow-fried. They are often served with naan bread and yogurt.

Seekh kebab: Seekh kebabs are skewered and grilled minced meat rolls, typically made with beef or chicken. The meat is marinated with spices, herbs, and yogurt before being skewered and cooked to perfection. Seekh kebabs are often served with mint chutney and naan.

Chicken tikka: Chicken tikka is a flavorful dish made from grilled or roasted marinated chicken pieces. The chicken is marinated in a mixture of yogurt, spices, and lemon juice, giving it a tangy and spicy flavor. It is usually served with mint chutney.

Pakistani Pulao: Pakistani Pulao is a fragrant rice dish cooked with meat, such as chicken, mutton, or beef, along with a blend of aromatic spices and a mix of vegetables. It is a hearty and flavorful meal often enjoyed with raita (yogurt sauce).

Paya: Paya is a traditional Pakistani dish made from slow-cooked trotters, usually from beef or lamb. The trotters are simmered for hours with a mix of spices, creating a rich and flavorful curry. Paya is often enjoyed with naan bread.

Nargisi kofta: Nargisi kofta is a unique dish consisting of hard-boiled eggs covered with spiced minced meat. The meat is typically a blend of ground beef or lamb mixed with various spices and herbs. The koftas can be deep-fried or cooked in a thick gravy.

Sindhi Biryani: Sindhi Biryani is a popular variation of biryani that originated in the Sindh region of Pakistan. It is known for its spicy and flavorful rice cooked with meat, fragrant spices, and potatoes. The Sindhi Biryani often has a tangy taste due to the addition of tomatoes.

Aloo paratha: Aloo paratha is a delicious wheat flatbread stuffed with a spiced mashed potato filling. It is cooked on a griddle with ghee (clarified butter) and served with yogurt, pickles, or chutney. Aloo paratha is a popular breakfast or brunch option in Pakistan.

Daal chawal: Daal chawal is a simple yet satisfying meal that is a staple in Pakistani households. It consists of lentils (daal) cooked with a variety of spices and served with steamed rice (chawal). It is often accompanied by pickles or yogurt.

Saag (spinach) with makki di roti: Saag is a traditional Punjabi dish made with mustard greens (sarson ka saag) or spinach (palak saag). It is cooked with a combination of spices and often includes ingredients like garlic, ginger, and green chilies. Saag is traditionally served with makki di roti, a flatbread made from cornmeal.

Chicken karahi: Chicken karahi is a popular chicken dish cooked in a karahi (wok-like pan). The chicken is cooked with tomatoes, onions, and a blend of spices, resulting in a spicy and tangy curry. It is often garnished with fresh coriander and served with naan or roti.

Saag gosht: Saag gosht is a flavorful dish made with meat, usually lamb or mutton, cooked with spinach or mustard greens. The meat is slow-cooked with spices and the leafy greens, resulting in a hearty and nutritious meal.

Chana masala: Chana masala is a popular vegetarian dish made with chickpeas cooked in a tangy and spicy tomato-based gravy. It is flavored with a blend of aromatic spices and is often enjoyed with rice or naan.

Tandoori chicken: Tandoori chicken is a classic Pakistani dish where chicken pieces are marinated in a mixture of yogurt, spices, and lemon juice. The marinated chicken is then grilled in a traditional clay oven (tandoor), resulting in smoky and flavorful meat.

Roghni naan: Roghni naan is a soft and fluffy flatbread made from refined flour. It is topped with ghee (clarified butter) and sesame seeds before being baked in a tandoor. Roghni naan is often enjoyed with curries or kebabs.

Rabri: Rabri is a sweet and creamy dessert made from thickened milk. It is simmered for hours, allowing the milk to reduce and thicken naturally. Rabri is often flavored with cardamom, saffron, and topped with chopped nuts.

Gulab jamun: Gulab jamun is a popular Pakistani sweet made from khoya (milk solids) and flour. The dough is shaped into small balls, deep-fried until golden brown, and then soaked in a sugar syrup infused with rose water and cardamom.

Kheer: Kheer is a rice pudding made with basmati rice, milk, sugar, and flavored with cardamom, saffron, and chopped nuts. It is a traditional dessert often enjoyed during festive occasions and celebrations.

These are just a few examples of the many delicious and diverse dishes you can find in Pakistan. The country's culinary landscape offers a wide range of flavors, spices, and textures that are sure to delight any food lover.