| Lahore Food Streets
Lahore is city of live
hearted people, always finding an occasion for enjoyment, entertainment
and good feast. While parks and other recreational facilities are filled
with holiday makers, specially on weekends, the eateries are seldom found
vacant throughout the weekdays. The traditional food of Lahore is found in
the Walled
City of Lahore, while the western and Chinese cuisines are generally
found in the posh localities of Lahore Cantonment, Gulberg, Shadman and
Shahjamal.
However, recently, a novel
idea of establishing Food Streets outside the Walled City for the easy
access to locals and tourists has gained much popularity. The first food
street was opened in an alley of Gawalmandi, near the famous Mayo Hospital
on Nisbat Road. The idea was to bring out the old and traditional foods
for all and sundry at one place. Now the
famous "Phajjay kay Paye" (joints of goat) originated from old
Lahore, are available here, besides the Doctor Nihari, Sardar's fried
fish, pathooray, katlamma and much more. Besides for the sweet tooth, a
variety of sweet dishes are available like jalaibees, firni, kheer and
others.
But that is not all. The
old houses overlooking the streets have been renovated and their old
balconies redone with wood carving and lights installed to provide more
hues to the street down below. These look more enchanting and mystic
through the sizzling smoke of BBQ food being prepared in abundance round
the clock.
Lahorites bring their
outstation guests to these streets to show their typical hospitality. And
order kilos of various varieties of cooked meat, chicken, fish and other
food items. After the food, a glass of iced Lassi, made of yogurt, water,
sugar and "pairay" - a sweet made of thickened milk and sugar,
served in large aluminum glasses adds to the everlasting taste (below
right). Those who are good at it, prefer to drink it in one breath, called
"deek" in local Punjabi language. Try it next time.
By the way, do not forget
to eat "paan" - many substances wrapped in the beetle leaf,
before leaving the Food Streets. These "Paan" sellers have
deliberately established their shops on the entrance of the streets to
provide the last taste of a wonderful evening spent in the food streets.
The Food Streets close in morning around 8 am after serving the
traditional breakfast of "Hawla and Poori" served with Lassi,
Nihari and Hareesa. These dishes are difficult to describe and digest too
since these are very rich in oil and peppers. so be careful, just in case.
"Paan" seller at
the entrance of Gawalmandi Food Street
Other two Food Streets are
located in Old Anarkali (off the Mall Road) and in the Walled City of
Lahore. These remain open throughout the night and are seldom found empty.
Now Lahorites treat their guests, specially from outside Lahore in the
Food Streets rather than anywhere else.
|
