Introduction to Pakistani Cuisine

The geographical landscape and topography of a country also plays a major role in cultivating food habits.

For Pakistan, this evolution can be traced back as far as the Indus Valley Civilization.

Over time, indigenous food habits have been influenced by local personalities and foreigners alike. Traders, travelers, and even invaders have brought along with them their own rich history and culture, intricately weaving it with the local cuisine, reimagining and adapting techniques to local tastes.

Perhaps the most substantial culinary influences from the subcontinent’s rich and long history are from the Mughal Empire, an era when rich, decadent meals for royalty were adapted to more affordable, commonfolk fare. To this day Mughlai cuisine still has a firm foothold in professional and home kitchens alike, and will probably continue to do so long into the future.

The staples of Pakistani cuisine vary from region to region, but essentially there are a few factors that hold true throughout the nation.

However, the cornerstone of Pakistani cuisine, found at every table, is bread. Traditionally made in the form of an unleavened flatbread, a meal is considered incomplete without a form of bread as part of the meal, even if it is just the humble homemade roti.

Bread is served throughout the year alongside meats, lentils and vegetables.  Naan / Roti is served with stews and vegetable dishes that often have a salan or gravy.

Another important staple of Pakistani cuisine is fish, with the fishing industry playing an important role in Pakistan’s economy and food. Thanks to the Arabian Sea, Indus River and its tributaries, there are many varieties of freshwater and seawater fish along with shrimp and crab available in Sindh, Balochistan, KPK and Punjab.

Depending on the region and availability, seafood is cooked in a variety of ways but traditional street food will exhibit fish marinated in local spices and herbs, which is then either grilled or deep fried. Fresh lemon, coriander and green chilies are often used as reliable condiments to enjoy with fish.

Thanks to which the freshwater fish known as palla (hilsa herring) has become tremendously popular for locals and tourists alike.

In the same manner, the northern areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are renowned for their love of dumba and fatty meat.

Some regions such as Tharparkar in Sindh (a desert area with a religious mix of Hindu and Muslim communities) focus more on vegetarian food and seasonal produce, as there are only two to three months for regional crops to grow.

Pakistani food is known to be aromatic, spicy, packed full of flavor and herbs, primarily because many spices and herbs are produced in the country. Red chili powder, coriander, mint, turmeric, cumin and other basic whole spices, which may be rare and exotic in the Western and European world, but are quite commonly found in the subcontinent.

The use of spices and herbs does not necessarily translate into spicy food per se. In fact, it is common knowledge that spicy food is more commonly consumed in the southern regions of Pakistan.

As one travels north, the tendency for spicy fare diminishes to simpler, less complex spice blends. That does not mean food becomes less flavorful, it only means the spice blends change according to local palates and the locally produced spices, making masalas an imperative foundation of Pakistani food.

The love for spicy food is so strong that a town named Kunri, located in Pakistan’s southern province of Sindh is recognized as the red chilli capital of Asia, and is important to both local and international markets.

The Kunri community is a close-knit one, where Muslims, Hindus and Christians live in harmony, bearing the fruits of success and the burdens of hardship together.

Food holds its importance and relevance according to different occasions. People come together to celebrate and mourn over food.

Whether it is a traditional sweetmeat distributed amongst friends and family to celebrate a birth, or an elaborate wedding feast consisting of different varieties of curries, rice, and desserts, or a sombre funeral where loved ones bring simple homemade food for the mourning family members, food brings people together.

In Pakistan, food isn’t just a means to nourish one’s body, it must be pleasing to the eye as well. To serve this purpose, a love for elegant crockery and cutlery has prevailed over the ages. For centuries, beautifully designed earthenware has been used in most households across the subcontinent.

Whether the purpose was to store cool water in a matka (a round clay pot meant to keep drinking water cool) or a handi (a lidded earthen pot to cook a stew), earthenware played an essential role in most cities and still does in the rural areas of Pakistan where access to modern-day utensils is often scarce and unaffordable.

Along with earthenware, archaeological finds revealed that metal work was also part of the Indus Valley Civilization, with brass and copper used to create kitchen utensils. Craftsmanship in metal-ware became common in the 13th century, with kitchen utensils showing the craftsmanship of that era. As time progressed, stainless steel and non-stick cooking utensils came to the forefront and took over the Pakistani market as well.

Today food enthusiasts from all over the world visit Pakistan to experience not just the delicious traditional and regional cuisines, but to also enjoy the warm hospitality associated with its people.

In fact, Pakistani hospitality is so well-known, that books such as “Three Cups of Tea” (written by David Oliver Relin and Greg Mortenson) have been published in recognition of how tea is associated with welcoming guests in Pakistan.

Whether it is a well-established restaurant in the most posh locale, local street food in a crowded marketplace, or even a simple homemade meal cooked by the lady of the house, there is no doubt that love for fine food prevails in every Pakistani’s heart.