Food in Karachi reflects the amalgamation of a large number of culinary cultures into one with the major influences being from those of Sindh, Afghanistan, Baloch, Gujarat, Bombay, Bihar, Turkey and China. Karachi delicacies are largely characterised as barbeque foods and lentil and rice based dishes with assorted breads dominating the cuisine. The cuisine of Karachi is different from other regions of the country in terms of oil and spice use as Karachi people tend to use less oil and mildly aromatic spices in their cooking.
There are a number of foods which are popular in Karachi, a few of which include the following:
In Karachi, normally three main meals are taken throughout the day, along with many families taking evening snack. During the evening normally sugar free green tea is consumed along with some baked or fried snacks that are bought from a local bakery or made at home. The common breakfast items in Karachi include parathas, minced meat, bread butter, bread jam, and halwa poori, served normally with lassi or tea. In lunch, lentils or meat curries are consumed along with rice, or roti. During dinner, food in Karachi consists of korma, kebabs, pulao, and lentils, accompanied with yogurt, salad and pickle. At times dessert is taken after dinner which may include, ras malai, kulfi, kheer, gajaraila or gulab jamun.