Southern Asia
Food of Pakistan
The 8 most iconic national dishes of Pakistan — real photos, key ingredients and tasty facts behind every plate.
Asia
Biryani
A richly spiced layered rice dish made with fragrant basmati rice and meat, especially beloved in Karachi and across Pakistan. It is aromatic, colourful and often carries a lively heat balanced by herbs and fried onions.
Did you know?
Pakistani biryani has many regional styles, but Karachi biryani is especially famous for its spicy, potato-studded version.
Nihari
A slow-cooked meat stew, usually made with beef or mutton shank, with a deep, velvety gravy enriched by long simmering. It is intensely savoury and warming, commonly eaten with naan.
Did you know?
Nihari was historically associated with morning meals, and its name is often linked to the Arabic word nahar, meaning 'day'.
Halwa puri
A classic festive breakfast of puffed fried puris served with sweet semolina halwa and usually chickpea curry. It combines crisp bread, fragrant sweetness and spicy-savoury accompaniments in one iconic spread.
Did you know?
Halwa puri is especially popular for Sunday breakfasts and Eid mornings in many Pakistani cities.
Chapli kebab
A large, flat minced-meat kebab from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, known for its rustic texture and bold seasoning. It is juicy, peppery and often flecked with tomato, herbs and crushed spices.
Did you know?
Chapli kebab is strongly associated with Peshawar, where it is one of the city’s most famous specialties.
Sajji
A Balochi specialty of whole lamb or chicken marinated simply and roasted over open fire until smoky and tender. Its appeal lies in its minimalist seasoning, which lets the meat’s flavour stand out.
Did you know?
Sajji is traditionally linked with Balochistan, where whole animals were historically slow-roasted in desert and campfire cooking traditions.
Jalebi
Bright orange coils of fermented batter deep-fried and soaked in sugar syrup, crisp outside and syrupy within. It is one of Pakistan’s most recognisable sweets, sold hot in bazaars and sweet shops.
Did you know?
Jalebi is a centuries-old sweet with roots in the broader Persianate and South Asian culinary world, and it remains a staple of celebratory eating in Pakistan.
Dampukht
A traditional slow-cooked meat dish associated with Pakistan’s northwestern regions, prepared in a sealed pot over gentle heat. The method produces very tender meat and concentrated aromas.
Did you know?
Its name refers to the dum-style technique of cooking in a tightly sealed vessel.
Peshawari ice cream
A rich traditional ice cream from Peshawar, often noted for its dense texture and nutty flavorings. It is a regional specialty with roots in old-fashioned frozen desserts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Did you know?
It is especially associated with the city of Peshawar in northwestern Pakistan.