16 Typical Pakistani Nashta / Breakfast Foods

Pakistan is famous for many things but the one thing it is really famous for is its food and the fact how the people of Pakistan love food. Pakistanis are true foodies in all meaning of the word! Pakistan has all sorts of food places from small stalls to huge restaurants, cafes and hotels. And thanks to the cultural diversity in Pakistan you can find a thousand different types of food dishes here.

Even though all the meals of the day are extremely important but the most important one is Breakfast; or as we call it in Urdu “Nashta”. Every region has its own special breakfast items in Pakistan but some items are eaten throughout the country. And though what one eats for breakfast is solely a personal choice but some items are liked more than the others in certain regions.

So because I am myself a foodie and I love food, today I have decided to show the world what we Pakistanis eat for out breakfast and how many options we have – thanks to the diverse culture of Pakistan! I am sorry if this list makes your mouth water! 😉

Some of the most common and loved food items for breakfast/nashta in Pakistan are as below (in no specific order):

P.S: Hey Pakistanis! What do YOU have in nashta everyday, please tell us in comments! And if you think I have missed out on some important nashta item then please let me know too.

Halwa Puri with Chanay

A sweet suji ka halwa with lots of nuts in it with deep-fried puri. Yum yum!

Nihari

A slow cooked beef stew with green chilies, coriander leaves, ginger and fried onions as a garnish.

Photo Credit: Miansari66

Haleem

The slow cooked mixture of lentils and meat with garnish of green chilies, coriander leaves, ginger and fried onions is a perfect treat to start your day!

Photo Credit: Miansari66

Siri Paye

The most beloved nashta for Lahoris – the “siri paye” – which literally translates into “head and feet” is exactly what it translates into! Well, it’s processed the head and feet of a goat slowly cooked into a delicious stew which is fit for a king!

Photo Credit: Miansari66

Pathooray and cholay

Pathooray are small flatbreads of flour and lentils which are deep fried. These are traditionally eaten with chick peas known as cholay.

Photo Credit: Miansari66

Naan Chanay

Naan is a oven-baked flatbread that is popular all over the world now because it is totally delicious. It’s just like pizza, only without the topping. Naan is can be eaten with various different things just like bread but its perfect match is chanay i.e. chick peas.

Photo Credit: Miansari66

Anda Paratha

Paratha is a wheat flatbread cooked with oil or ghee and anda is egg and their combination is just perfect. Anda can be omelette or half-fried.

Photo Credit: Miansari66

Chai paratha

Another awesome paratha combination is with chai (tea). What is better than salty paratha with sweet milk tea to begin your day with?

Photo Credit: Asim Bijarani

Jam and butter on toast

Easy, quick, but totally delicious. Jam and butter were made for each other.

Corn Flakes

Corn Flakes are quicker and easier than toast but equally delicious. Juts put some milk in a bowl (or corn flakes if you want – it doesn’t really matter), add sugar to taste and add the corn flakes and viola!

Aaloo/Qeema paratha

Aaloo wala paratha is the favourite food of half of the Pakistanis. This flatbread filled with mashed potatoes is not only delicious but really filling too!

Aaloo/Chicken Naan

Another flatbread made with aaloo or chicken, but this time it’s a naan!

Bun chai

Many Pakistanis like to start their day with a simple treat: bun with chai!

Rusk chai

While some prefer bun and chai in the morning, others go for rusk chai. The crunchy rusk and smooth sweet milk tea complement each other perfectly.

Phainiyan

Phainiyan, the traditional breakfast in Ramadan, are known as vermicelli in English. Just put them in warn milk, add some sugar if you want and enjoy!