Tuck into Karachi’s original ‘Peshawari Karahi’

Shehar Karachi restaurant is a household name for people living and working in Dubai. Its food is tempting, at an affordable cost and rich in taste. The most important aspect of Shehar Karachi is its environment, which makes people from the subcontinent nostalgic, as if they are relishing food at one of their local eateries back home. Shehar Karachi is the proud brand ambassador of ‘Karachi’, Pakistan’s commercial hub, and it leaves no stone unturned in bringing the delicacies and deliciousness of traditional Pakistani recipes, such as Karahi, Haleem, Kebabs, Chicken Tikka, BBQ, and last but not the least biryani and vegetable-and pulses-laden curries. 
It is one of the oldest food chains in Dubai, and since its inception in 1979 has come a long way. Presently, it has two restaurants in Bur Dubai (Meena Bazar) and Al Quoz, near Al Khail Mall, and will soon be opening a third outlet at International City. It is teamwork when it comes to the success story of Shehar Karachi. Muhammad Zubair, the proprietor; Atique Ahmed, Muhammad Waseem, Malik Ahmed Bilal, and Aziz Ahmed in Bur Dubai and the 70-plus staff make it a point to rally around the customers and make sure that they are served in the best possible manner. It is a perfect eatery for commoners and the middle-class people, but without any compromise in the recipes richness and taste. Atique Ahmed says, “the typical traditional taste is never lost and we make sure that our customers are satisfied, and their quench for quality food is taken care of.”

Atique Ahmed, Muhammad Zubair, Aziz Ahmed, Malik Ahmed Bilal and Muhammad Waseem
The chicken and mutton karahi at Shehar Karachi are its speciality, and is in demand by customers who have had a taste of it once. Peshawari mutton karahi and chicken tikkas, tandoori Gola kebabs and mix-grills are awesomely done, and are cooked on the spot. It could be said without any exaggeration that grills and karahi are the best-ever done in Dubai at Shehar Karachi.
M. Waseem, who is passionate about taste and often takes to kitchen, says, “We make sure that mutton and chicken are fresh, and which is why we personally follow through the procurement process, and look after the minute details till the moment it is cooked and served.” Karahi is well done with a balance of spices as per taste. Likewise, chilies are simmered with the meat and tomatoes in mellow heat. This is why one can count on the quality of food, and the traditional authentic taste of servings at Shehar Karachi.
It is an awesome experience to try chicken and mutton recipes served with crispy warm tandoori roti. Apart from this there are countless other dishes such as magaz fry (brain), a host of kebabs and BBQ items, butter chicken and other spicy dishes. The perfect use of garlic, ginger, cumin, and rich spices makes the dishes lip-smacking. 
The quantity of green chilies and other spices used is corresponding to the taste ordered by the customer. “We cook in the way the customer wants as per his/her taste,” Atique Ahmed remarked pointing out the salt, green chilies and red chili powder combination in karahi. Food at Shehar Karachi is filling and what makes it standout is its exceptional variety of masala ingredients while cooking. There is hardly any moment to pause once you start eating!
Though for many a daily experience to lunch and dine at Shehar Karachi, it is worth an experience to try its Karachi-specific delicacies. 
Some of its other specialities are BBQ Karahi and Mutton Palao, which leaves behind a tempting taste of its own. 
The serving of Rabri (milk-thickened pure cream) imported on a daily basis from Karachi, as well as the milk kheer is indispensable! With around four decades of serving traditional food, Atique compliments its valued customers by saying, “Thank you, Pakistan, Thank you Dubai!”
— mehkri@khaleejtimes.com