Top 10 Pakistani Street Food

Golden-brown in color, flaky and layered, paratha is a type of Indian bread that is typically consumed for breakfast. The name comes from a combination of words parat and atta (flour), referring to the cooked, layered dough. It consists of whole wheat flour that is baked in ghee (Indian clarified butter) and comes in round, triangular, square, or heptagonal shapes. Parathas are often stuffed with ingredients such as boiled potatoes, cauliflower, garlic, ginger, chili, paneer, or radish. They are sometimes accompanied by pickles, yogurt, homemade chutneys, or meat and vegetable curries. In Punjab, paratha is traditionally paired with lassi, a popular yogurt-based drink. Although the flatbread originated in Peshawar, Pakistan, it has spread throughout India where it can be found at numerous street stands and roadside eateries. The southern Indian version is called parotta. Another way of eating paratha is to roll it into a pipe and dip it into tea. Versatile, buttery, and aromatic - parathas are irresistible in the morning, and that just may be the key to their popularity.Expand

Indian tikka is a dish consisting of boneless meat, usually chicken, that is cut into smaller pieces and marinated in yogurt and traditional Indian spices such as turmeric, cumin, coriander, cayenne pepper, chili, garlic, and ginger. The meat is roasted over charcoal in a tandoor, the traditional cylindrical clay oven. To remain tender and juicy, the meat is repeatedly brushed with oil or butter. Tikka is typically cooked and served on sizzlers, but the plain varieties are also common. It is often wrongly associated with tandoori chicken, a variety baked and served with the meat left on the bone. Indian tikka has an unknown origin, but it is believed to be an ancient dish that has existed since the discovery of the tandoor oven, which has been used in India for more than 5000 years. Legend says that emperor Babur, the founder of the Mughal dynasty, requested Punjabi chefs to serve the traditional tandoori chicken without the bones, which led to the creation of the now famous chicken tikka. It is a popular dish in Pakistan and Afghanistan, where it is usually served as a chicken tikka sizzler. Mutton and lamb variations can occasionally be found, but chicken is still the most popular ingredient. Traditional chicken tikka should not be confused with chicken tikka masala, a variation on the dish with origins in the United Kingdom. In chicken tikka masala the meat is served with tomato sauce and is considered one of British national dishes. Tikka is usually accompanied by onions, chopped coriander, vegetable chutney, and lemon slices.Expand

Chaat is a term signifying a huge variety of Indian street foods, snacks, or small meals which usually combine salty, spicy, sweet, and sour flavors. The name chaat is derived from a Hindi verb chaatna, meaning to lick, possibly referring to the finger-licking good quality of the dishes. Chaats are usually small, consumed on their own as a snack, or combined with other dishes to form a big meal. Throughout India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, chaat can be found at chaatwallas (street vendors), serving various dishes, from stuffed bread to deep-fried pastries with accompanying dipping sauces. In India, a chaat stand is usually specialized for one or two dishes which are always made fresh. If chaat is offered in a larger restaurant, it is often accompanied by a traditional Indian drink called lassi. Chaat dishes are very popular due to their enormous variety: from crispy fried potatoes, sevpuri, and pakora, to chila pancakes with chutney and pav bhaji, there is a variety of chaat for every type of consumer.Expand

Panipuri is a street snack that is extremely popular in India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Nepal. Small in size, it consists of a hollow puri that is fried until crispy, then stuffed with a combination of flavored water called pani, tamarind chutney, chaat masala, potatoes, onions, hot chillis, and chickpeas. In North India, panipuri is known as golgappa, gol referring to the crispy shell, and gappa referring to the eating process, since these small snacks are typically eaten one at a time. It is believed that panipuri originated in Uttar Pradesh and gradually spread in popularity throughout the country and outside of it. Today, panipuri stalls are a staple at most fairs, festivals, or weddings in India.Expand

Due to their crunchy texture and a variety of different flavors, samosas provide a perfect introduction to the world of Indian cuisine for newcomers. These deep-fried, triangular pastries are filled with a variety of ingredients ranging from vegetables to meat, such as onions, lentils, spiced potatoes, peas, or ground meat. It is said that the popular, golden-brown snack travelled to India along the old trade routes from Central Asia, which is why samosas are also prevelent in Middle Eastern countries where they are typically served for Ramadan. In Saudi Arabia, for example, they are typically filled with meat or cheese and can be shaped as triangles, squares, and rolls. These savory triangles are typically served hot and accompanied with chopped onions, yogurt, or fresh, homemade Indian chutneys made with a variety of ingredients such as mint, coriander or tamarind. However, not all samosas are savory - some versions can contain a number of sweet ingredients such as pomegranate, mango, and raisins. Sweet or savory, they can be found throughout India at numerous street stalls and roadside eateries, freshly made and traditionally paired with masala chai tea.Expand

Murgh tikka is a popular Indian dish made from marinated chicken pieces that are grilled or roasted to perfection. The word "murgh" means chicken in Hindi and Urdu, and "tikka" refers to small, boneless pieces of meat that are marinated and cooked on skewers. The chicken is typically marinated in a mixture of yogurt, spices, lemon juice, and sometimes mustard oil, which tenderizes the meat and infuses it with a rich, tangy flavor. Common spices in the marinade include turmeric, cumin, coriander, garam masala, red chili powder, and paprika, which also give the dish its signature bright orange or red hue. Traditionally, murgh tikka is cooked in a tandoor (a clay oven), but it can also be prepared on a grill or in an oven. Murgh tikka is often served as an appetizer or snack, accompanied by mint chutney, lemon wedges, and thinly sliced onions. It can also be used as a base for other dishes, such as chicken tikka masala, where the grilled chicken pieces are simmered in a rich, creamy curry sauce.Expand

Bhalla is a flavorful snack that is popular throughout Pakistan and North India. It is prepared with a combination of green bean paste and various spices, which is then shaped into croquets and deep-fried in hot oil. This street food staple can be bought at numerous street stands and chaat shops, where it is typically served cold, drizzled with dahi yogurt and chutneys.Expand

Chicken lahori is a traditional chicken curry hailing from the city of Lahore. It is typically made with chicken pieces that are stir-fried with a variety of spices, plain yogurt, onions, garlic, ginger, and tomatoes, and then simmered with water or chicken stock until the meat is fully cooked. Typical spices include turmeric powder, coriander, hot green chilis, black peppercorns, red chili powder, cinnamon, cardamom, cumin, and garam masala powder. This flavor-packed curry can be enriched with potatoes for added consistency and a more filling meal. Chicken lahori is usually topped with fresh cilantro leaves and accompanied by rice or naan on the side. This spicy chicken curry is a common Pakistani street food item and a staple in Lahori households.Expand

Bun kebab is a traditional street food item originating from Karachi, where it is relished in nearly every corner of the city. This savory snack typically consists of a bun filled with a combination of shami kebab, chutney, raita, slices of onions, tomatoes, and cucumbers. The filled bun is then seared until nicely colored and crispy. Chicken, beef, and mutton, along with the vegetarian chana dal (split chickpea kebab) and daal aloo (spicy lentil and potato kebab) patties comprise the typical selection of kebabs used in the preparation of bun kebab. Optional additions include egg omelets, tamarind sauce, cheese, and bacon. In Pakistan, bun kebab is usually enjoyed hot, cut in half and accompanied by roasted sweet potatoes, hash browns, extra condiments, and a cup of chai latte on the side.Expand

A pizza-like savory dish coming from Pakistan, qatlama is a large round flatbread that is smeared with a vibrant red-colored mixture of gram flour, spices, and herbs before getting deep-fried. The dough, usually made with plain flour, water, salt, and oil is then stretched into a huge flat disk before being covered with the spicy mixture and entirely submerged into hot oil to fry until nice and crispy. Typical ingredients used for the topping include gram flour, garam masala, mash dal, chili powder, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, dried pomegranate seeds, and artificial food coloring in order to create a more vibrant dish. This spicy and savory flatbread is a typical street food item and a common breakfast meal, but it is also found in Pakistani restaurants worldwide. Often referred to as poor man’s pizza, qatlama is usually eaten on its own or with chutneys, raitas, or a cup of tea on the side. In the Punjab region, the dish is traditionally prepared on special occasions and festivals, especially in rural areas.Expand