Food Stories from ‘Revamped’ Burns Road: 10 Things You Cannot Miss [Photos + Videos]

From Babu Bhai’s masala fish, Cafe Laziz’s ‘katakat’, to Fresco’s ‘jalebi’.. here is a deep, engrossing food guide

Rather long overdue, but Karachi’s Burns Road finally gets it; a revamp – call it a makeover – it truly deserved. Burns Road is the city’s oldest gastronomical belt which dates back to partition. For several years, the food street had settled on a weary compromise between bustling traffic and dedicated foodies, with its air charged with fumes and enticing aroma of kachoori’s, alike. Fortunately, there has been a change.

Kudos to the Deputy Commissioner and administrator DMC (South) Irshad Ali, the city’s oldest food street has been granted new life, as it becomes a pedestrian-only destination after 8 pm for desi-food lovers.

Pedestrians can now amble along the food street which begins from Fresco Chowk and goes all the way to Fatima Jinnah Women’s College.

A little history:

Originally called ‘Muhammad Bin Qassim Road’, the road was renamed to ‘Burns Road’ after a British-Spy doctor called James Burnes, post partition. It is believed that it became a food street owing to residing Indian migrants, who wanted to continue their practice of eating out much like they did in their native towns. This stirred a demand, which lead to migrant communities cooking their traditional cuisines, many of which grew to become household names at present. Café Laziz, Waheed Kabab and Dil Bahar kay Dahi Baray are a few names to begin with.

When to go: Post 7.45 pm. By 8.00 pm you will watch the street barricades itself. Yes, no trucks, buses or cars in sight! However, motorcycles are still spotted on the road.

What to have: Prices may vary for you! This is turning into a popular haunt for many and the second time I visited, there was a slight increase in rates.

The Savories

Spicy Fish at ‘Babu Special Fried Fish

Just in the beginning of the street you will spot a kiosk laden with marinated fish. ‘Karachi Ki Mashoor Babu Fried Fish’ to be exact. Choose your choice of masala fish and watch it get deep fried before your eyes. We had it as appetizers – fried fish fingers make for a light meal, right? But truth be told, it can make for a delicious main course too. Perfectly spiced, with that chapata element and crispiness. Uff, if you are a seafood lover, you simply cannot miss it.

 

Damage: Rs 450 in total for 2 types of fish (per pao)

Bun Kababs from ‘Babu Bhai Kay Bun Kabab’

Move over, Anday Wala burger. We met channay ki daal kay burger at Babu’s and are totally smitten. It was instant connection. Watching your bun kebab being made live in front of you is a gastronomical experience you should not miss. What else you can’t miss? Almost flooding your plate with haari chutney as you have it.

A colleague mentioned she had it better at some xyz street before, but she was duly ignored by all.

Damage: Rs 240 for 4 Buns

Mashoor Daal ki Kachori at ‘Lal Jalebi Corner’

Nestled next to the Babu Bhai’s humble kiosk you will spot the kachoris’ being rolled and fried live. Now this item, I have savored on most Sundays of my life (some of the best Sundays, if I may add) but oh boy, these kachoris felt premium.

Piping hot from the wok, the dal kachori dipped into aloo tarkari, just calls to the heart. Special mention to the aaloo ki tarkari (ask for it to be heated properly) which had that subtle ‘khatta’ flavor you love.

Damage: Rs 100 per plate.

Pani Puri from ‘Prince Road’s Khatay Meethay, Theekay’

 

As the old adage goes.. ‘Itna ghaleez, utna lazeez’. If you are ambling by the streets of Burns Road, might as well feed your soul with the mashoor gol gappas.

Damage: Rs 80

Dahi Barey from ‘Dilbahar Dahi Baray’

Hmm, maybe I’d pass on this one. From the moment it was served to us – in a plastic box, with sealed papris in polythene – there was a disconnection. It felt too sanitary for us, given our setting, the grand Burns Road. Very average, taste wise too. But then that’s just us, you may like having your chaats clean. Us? Maybe not.

Main Courses

 Katakat at ‘Café Laziz’

Little Trivia: Café Laziz has been at Burns Road for some astounding 52 years, as proudly told by the owner. This is the ultimate destinations for all katakat lovers, where the dish is cooked in 100% pure butter.

In one of the large woks lined in front of the restaurant, the chef casuals tosses in raw maghaz and kaleji (no testicles), stirs in some masala, tomatoes and a block of butter. It is a sight that teases the senses.

The Mutton Katakat was hands down the best I had in Karachi. Finely done, with the perfect masala mix served with thin chappatis. Chicken Katakat was also scrumptious, but it tasted like a boneless handi. If you are here at Burns Road for the best katakat, go the Mutton way.

Damage: Rs 3200 for both dishes with chapattis

Dhaga Kabab, Seekh Kabba from ‘Waheed Kabab’

It has been a long standing debate amongst Karachi foodies; who does Dhagga Kabab better, Ghaffar or Waheed? Fortunately, there has been no clear winner, as both Kabab Houses manage to entice that same gastronomical ‘lust’ for kababsin desis’. But at Burns Road, Waheed’s has its own Kabab territory which no one can take over.

On a sweet note

Jalebi at Fresco

Watching a Jalebi getting made is therapeutic. Don’t believe us? Watch it yourself, here.

Hot, spurting with sheera and immensely sweet… No one does Jalebi like Fresco.

Matka Kulfi at Dil Shaad

Served in mini matkay, this was how we ended our gastronomical trip to Burns Road… almost.

Paan and Chai

After Meetha paan and karak chai, you are finally ready to bid Burns Road adieu. But not quiet, you leave a piece of your heart in its aromatic streets.

Comments

  1. Price increase was on the cards, for no reason. These eateries had to improve their quality first, instead of taking undue advantage of GOVT doing of revamp of the area. The commissioner must make sure now to check the food quality regularly to keep these eateries on toes. Otherwise ppl will move again

Loading…

0