Karachi, the bustling industrial and financial hub of Pakistan, has now also become the undisputed food capital for the foodies of the city. The latest culinary trend taking over the metropolis is an appreciation for authentic Indian vegetarian cuisine. Foodies are relishing soft, spongy delicacies like ‘Soyabean Aloo Biryani’, crispy ‘Aloo Tikki’, spicy ‘Vada Pav’, tasty ‘Masala Dosa’ and ‘Dhokla’.
For the millions who call the Sindh capital home, Karachi’s true charm lies in its diverse culinary landscape. From delicious European and Italian cuisine to affordable Chinese food and even a simple bun kebab, the city’s food scene caters to every taste and budget, making it a foodie’s paradise.
In recent months, food lovers have developed an interest in “pure vegetarian” recipes.
‘Our dishes are famous, it’s very crowded during lunch time’
Mahesh Kumar, owner of the small Maharaj Karamchand Vegetarian Foods Inn located inside the Narayana Complex on M.A. Jinnah Road, said his business was booming as people were tasting the vegetarian delicacies, known as “pure vegetarian Indian cuisine” in Karachi.
The Narayan complex, where Hindus, Sikhs and Christians lived before Partition, houses, apart from the restaurant, a centuries-old Swaminarayan temple and a gurudwara.
Once a haven for the complex’s residents, the Maharaj Karamchand Inn has become a bustling hub in the heart of old Karachi. It now caters to a variety of clients, from tired lawyers seeking a break after hours of work in court to curious visitors drawn by the inn’s rich history. The inn’s walls, filled with stories from the past, now reverberate with lively business conversations as it has become a favourite gathering spot in this vibrant commercial district.
“Our soyabean aloo biryani, aloo tikki, paneer curry and mixed vegetables are famous and are quite crowded during lunch hours as well as takeaways and deliveries,” news agency PTI quoted Kumar as saying in its report.
Kumar said his father started the restaurant in 1960. Highlighting the attraction of his restaurant, Kumar said Muslim and non-Muslim food lovers come here to taste the homemade spices and fresh vegetables and oil used in preparing the dishes.
Kumar admits he refrains from promoting his restaurant as some orthodox Muslims still consider food prepared by Hindus as taboo.
“We have enough customers who are happy with our food and service but don’t like to advertise it,” he said.
‘We have regular customers who love our food’
The Indian cuisine business is not just limited to vegetarian restaurants run by Hindus, but Hindu, Christian and Muslim entrepreneurs have also opened food stalls specialising in authentic Indian vegetarian dishes, including ‘pav bhaji’, ‘vada pav’, ‘masala dosa’ and ‘dhokla’.
Kavita started a roadside food stall in the Cantt area eight months ago. She sells Indian vegetarian dishes and can barely keep up with the long queues at her stall.
“To our surprise, apart from the customers who come in, we have also developed a set of regular customers who love our food,” PTI quoted him as saying in its report.
Kavita’s sister-in-law Chandrika Dixit, brother Jitendra and their mother Nomita run three stalls next to each other, while the fourth shop, which specialises in ‘dhokla’, ‘aam panna’ and ‘dal samosa’, is being run by a Christian woman, Mary Richards.
“We all live in the same complex and when we heard how much people loved Indian vegetarian cuisine, we decided to try our luck too. We make these dishes regularly at home,” Mary said.
Muslim sisters are running a food stall to sell Indian dishes
On the other side of the city, two sisters named Mehreen and Lubna also run a food stall selling Indian vegetarian dishes on the famous food street in the Hussainabad area. “We are unique in that we sell Indian vegetarian food surrounded by restaurants and stalls selling traditional Pakistani meat dishes,” says Lubna with a smile.
The two sisters learnt to make ‘Masala Dosa’, ‘Vada Pav’, ‘Vegetarian Rice’ and ‘Pav Bhaji’ from their elders who had migrated from India after the Partition in 1947.
While preparing the dishes with their own hands, the two sisters have long conversations with customers waiting for their orders. “People are now eating these dishes because they are not expensive, are tasty and are prepared quickly,” said Mehreen.
(With inputs from PTI)