21 Most Popular Dishes in Pakistan

Pakistani food is diverse and reflects the various cultural societies of Pakistan.  There are so many delicious dishes that you may want to try while staying in Pakistan.

The food in Pakistan is delicious and represents different areas of the country. There is a variety of dishes in Pakistani food. However, some dishes are most popular among locals and international visitors alike. 

In this list, we will see the most popular dishes in Pakistan that you should definitely try while staying in Pakistan. Let’s dive in!

Most Popular Dishes in Pakistan

1. Halwa Poori

Halwa Puri is the most popular food in Pakistan. It serves as breakfast in the morning. However, some places serve all day long.

It is a sweet dish that is mainly served for breakfast. The word Hawla refers to a sweet dessert made with Suji, oil, and sugar. Suji is a granulated form of wheat specifically prepared for Halwa. And Puri is a soft, fluffy, deep-fried bread that is delicious.

There are so many places famous for Halwa Puri.  Halwa Puri breakfast includes halwa, puris, and curry, made mostly with potatoes and chickpeas. If you are visiting Pakistan or planning to visit Pakistan soon, you should at least try Halwa Puri.

2. Baryani

Biryani is the most famous dish in Pakistan. People love to eat Biryani. It is prepared with rice, meat, and Asian spices. In meat, there are three options: chicken, mutton, and beef. The rice used for biryani is the highest-quality basmati rice. 

3. Haleem

Haleem is another famous dish of Pakistan. Haleem is cooked with chicken or beef with lentils, wheat, and spices. It is mainly served with Naan bread. People of Pakistan love to eat Haleem, and there are so many places where you can find Haleem.

The process of making Haleem is long and takes many hours to cook. Mostly, it is cooked overnight on low heat.

Haleem is prepared with different ingredients, including meat, lentils, wheat or barley, and haleem spices. Once the dish is cooked and the meat and other ingredients are tender, all the ingredients are mashed to form a stew.

Haleem is prepared with chicken, beef, or mutton. However, you will most probably find beef haleem across Pakistan. The final dish is served with Naan.

The most famous place to eat Haleem is Kozy Haleem. It has many branches across the country.

4. Nihari

Nihari is another famous dish of Pakistan. Nihari is prepared with beef and served with Khameri Roti or Tandoori Naan. The Nihari is cooked at low heat, so the meat remains tender. The final dish looks like a stew. This dish can also be prepared with chicken meat.

In Pakistan, you will most often find beef nihari rather than chicken nihari. However, you will find beef nihari being sold everywhere in the country.

5. Seekh Kabab

Seekh Kabab is a famous food in Pakistan. Seekh kabab is prepared with minced beef, mutton, or chicken. Minced meat is mixed with finely chopped onion and other spices. Then it is wrapped around a skewer and cooked on charcoal at low heat.

6. Chapli Kabab

Chapli kabab is another famous food in Pakistan. Chapli Kabab originated from the Northern Areas of Pakistan. It is made with ground beef seasoned with spices, then shaped into a patty and deep-fried in oil.

You should try Chapli kabab, which is famous in Pakistan. Chapi kabob is like a flat patty prepared with spices and then deep-fried in oil. Chapli kabab is served with naan and chutney.

7. Zarda

Zerda is a sweet rice cooked with resins, almonds, murraba, and more. This dish is served especially at wedding ceremonies.

8. Chicken Karahi

Chicken Karahi is one of the most popular dishes in Pakistan. Karahi means voke. So the chicken is cooked in a wok with onions, tomatoes, green chili, coriander leaves, and spices.

Chicken karahi is served with naan and tandoori bread.

9. Sajji

Sajji is a popular dish of Pakistan. It originated in Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province by land area.

Sajji is prepared with chicken or mutton. Mostly, you will find chicken sajji in the restaurants across the country.

The process of preparing sajji involves cooking chicken over low heat on charcoal.

10. Siri Paya

Siri Paya is a popular food of Pakistan. It is basically served in breakfast. However, it is also available for lunch and dinner.

Siri Paya means that the head and feet are cooked together. The final dish looks like a stew, which is very delicious. The meat is cooked on low heat to make it tender and delicious. The dish is served with Tandoori Naan.

11. Naan Chaney

Naan Chaney is one of the most popular breakfasts in Pakistan. Naan Chaney means that cooked chickpeas are served with naan (bread). It is a very popular dish in Pakistan and is mainly considered a breakfast.

The dish is prepared with chickpeas and spices. Mostly, you will find chickpeas with chicken or boiled eggs, and it is up to you what you want with your chickpeas.

Naan and chana are famous breakfast foods in Pakistan, and you will be able to find them almost everywhere across the country.

12. Mutton Korma

Mutton Korma is another famous dish in Pakistan. It is prepared with mutton (lamb or goat meat) and traditional spices. Once the dish is ready, it is served with Naan or Roti (a traditional bread).

Conclusion

There are so many dishes that you may want to try while traveling to Pakistan. Some of them are traditional, which are only found in local areas. However, the dishes listed in this article are available almost in every city.

I hope this article helped you to know the famous food dishes of Pakistan. If you liked this article, then please like and share. You may also want to subscribe to our newsletter to more articles and updates. Also, don’t forget to follow us on social media—Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.