The best ‘Daal Chawal’ in Karachi

‘Daal Chawal’ may be a common dish but it is also the most frequently cooked dish in Pakistani homes. And why it shouldn’t be? Daal served with a hot tarka of sliced garlic cloves, cumin, and curry leaves, makes the simple lentils irresistible.

Alternatively, daal chawal, served with a mixed salad tossed up with a lemon and achaar, just reminds you how tasty the combination is. If you are one of those who don’t know where to find daal chawal except home then this list is just for you.

Ghousia Daal Chawal

Situated at Burns Road, Saddar, the owner of Ghousia Daal Chawal has been selling his mother’s special recipe for 24 years. “Our mother taught us to cook the daal. This daal is not an ordinary one as its blended with nine different spices.”

While he was preparing a plate for a customer, his speed of wrapping up the parcel and serving at the same time was quite impressive. “We mix our daal thoroughly like Haleem. It takes at least five to six hours to cook our special daal.”

The owner recalls people even from Hyderabad and Sukkur loving their tasty food while for Karachities their special daal chawal is a must-have anyway. “We sell it at different prices of Rs. 60, 70, and 80.” However, people who can’t afford these prices are generously given the daal chawal for free by the restaurant. 

Haleem House 

“The reason why our daal chawal is unique because it’s cooked with not one but four different daals” says Ali at Haleem House.

Haleem House’s logic is simple, it’s based on finger-licking taste and basic hygiene. “Our cooks come early in the morning and start cooking so there is no rush in the process of cooking.”

“If someone wants to take a tour of our kitchen he or she is more than welcome.”

The fragrance was slightly different from the daal we cook at home. The delicious aromatic steam will make your mouth water. “We add chicken in our daal which makes it different from other deals,” he says.

“Our specialty is the way we serve it; coriander garnished on steamy rice and daal served with achaar (pickles) which is, by the way, a branded pickle not an ordinary one. This whole plate is completed and then a stuffed green chili is placed on top of it.”

The food joint sells a single plate of daal chawal at Rs.150 with chicken and Rs.120 without chicken.  

Mehboob Food Center 

They serve one of the best daal chawal in town. Cooked with tender meat chunks and different spices, it makes a person love the dish at every bite.

Mehboob Food Center is situated at Soldier Bazaar near Saddar where they have been selling the tasty daal chawal for 23 years. 

“Unlike other deals, our daal is thick like haleem,” tells the owner, Aqeel Abbas. “What makes it more delicious and special is the meaty chunks blended in daal.”

“We cater to daal chawal orders for mostly in majalis and other events.” The food center’s single plate of daal chawal is sold at Rs.150 with beef and at Rs.110 without it.