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14 dishes to eat if you're a vegan in Karachi

14 dishes to eat if you're a vegan in Karachi

Sometimes it's as simple as asking the server to replace regular milk with almond/coconut milk
Updated 22 Aug, 2018

It's hard to be on certain diets in a meat-loving country like Pakistan, especially if one is vegan.

For someone who doesn't eat or use animal products at all, it can be difficult to go out to restaurants; a simple meal with friends or family can turn into a nightmare if there is nothing on the menu which caters to your diet, except water...

When we sat to think about how many eateries offer vegan options, we could hardly come up with names - we had found ourselves a task. So we got in touch with popular eating spots in Karachi to see if a vegan can survive in the city when going out to eat.

Here's what we found out.

If you want something light...

Try Figaro's Tabbouleh

If you're a salad lover, you'll really enjoy the Tabbouleh. It's fresh, crunchy with tons of flavour and super light. Or if you want something a bit more filling, go for their hummus sans the pita bread.

Try The Deli's Nutty Granola Salad

Kale, apple and cranberries are tossed together with nutty granola, giving the salad a very sweet yet acidic flavour along with a smokey taste that ties up the salad perfectly. It's filling, healthy and delicious!

Try Chupa Rustom's Aloo Methi Kebab

When you're not too hungry but you want something nice and light, give this Aloo Methi Kebab a shot and we promise you won't be disappointed.

If you're feeling generous enough to share...

Try Sattar Buksh's Veggie Pakoras

They're crispy and light and what better way to enjoy the company of your friends than with some pakoras and chutney on the side.

Try Aunty ke Qalandari's Pani Puri

It hits all the right notes. It's khata and the imli gives it the burst of flavour needed for the chickpeas.

If you're in the mood for something filling...

Try Chop Chop Wok's Make-Your-Own-Wok

You can opt for the brown/ jasmine rice and select a suitable flavour, and your protein of choice can be tofu. Super easy and you get to play around with flavours!

Try Mirchili's Khaas Katori Chaat

You don't have to opt for the yoghurt that they serve on the side, but you get the protein and the crunch with lots of khatta meetha taste.

If you're feeling indulgent...

Try Market's Crispy Black Pepper Tofu Rice Bowl:

This Rice Bowl will leave you feeling full and happy. It's got green beans, mushrooms, baby corn, onion, red chilies, garlic fried rice and of course tofu!

Try Floc's Cauliflower Thai Red curry

It's packed with flavour and lots of vegetables cut to the right size. Our favourite part about the dish was how the garlic complemented the curry - not too dry, not too sticky, just perfect.

Special mention: Okra Fries

We cannot rule out the delicious okra fries that they served on the side. They were light, crispy with the perfect seasoning and the salsa worked wonders with it. Total win!

Try Neco's Laksa

Noodles are comfort food and Neco's Laksa is the perfect meal when out with friends.

If your sweet tooth is calling

Try Lush Crush's Strawberry Satin

Honestly, their fruity popsicles are only made with real fruits and they'll have you beating the heat with tons of natural sweetness.

Try Neco's Strawberry Crumble

Granola and fresh strawberries make for a delicious combo and we can't think of a better way to end a meal.

Try Floc's Gluten and dairy free brownies

Who doesn't love chocolate? Thankfully there's an option for vegans out there and it's delicious.


Did we miss your favourite vegan dish? Let us know in the comments below.

Comments

Jibboo Mar 29, 2018 02:54pm
Thanks for covering the usually-ignored. So, there is hope...However, it looks like a full meal is still difficult.
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Atiya Mar 29, 2018 03:00pm
oh my god thank you for this!!!!
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Imtiaz Ali Khan Mar 29, 2018 03:51pm
Thank you I'm a vegetarian, I appreciate that in food section at Dawn we cover all non vegs and veg readers. I wish you guys one time cover local Dhabas, here in Interior Sindh we have some amazing local Dhabas who cook some great lentils, side of veg and rotis. I love Dhaba food :) I like Lentis, I eat lentils with Roti and sometime with rice usually with a fruit :) I like Chai also both Afghani and Bengali style and local Sindhi Chai :) Thank you everyone. I love you. IndoPak Blood Brothers 4 Life!
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vimla Mar 29, 2018 03:58pm
much is missed out. star's club Zauq BBQ to-nite rajdhani delights Nawab and much more
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Salman Zafar Mar 29, 2018 04:00pm
what about plain old daal chawal with achaar? or even saag with makkai ki roti?
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Furhan Mar 29, 2018 04:06pm
Thank you for this excellent list and your generous gesture of solidarity towards a growing number of vegans in Karachi.
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deendayal Mar 29, 2018 04:09pm
What about full meal - thali in popular sense? Aloo methi kababs with rotis are an excellent combination. Are south Indian dishes like idlis,medu vadas,and masala dosas available? Eat one item each of aloo methi kababs,;panipuris,and other items,and fill up your stomach - juggad for full meal. End it with Strawberry satin.
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Patriotic Mar 29, 2018 04:43pm
Our Desi Food dishes with same ingredient look much healthier, these are just presentations nothing more.
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M. M. Chughtai Mar 29, 2018 04:59pm
Very nice but where are the recipes?
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M. M. Chughtai Mar 29, 2018 05:00pm
Mouth watering but where are the recipes?
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imtiaz faruqui Mar 29, 2018 07:29pm
Living in New York for years I find the Pakistani food here is much better than Pakistan. The quality quantity taste and you know what you are eating. I had Zahid Nehari in Karachi , it was terrible nothing compared to Sabri Nehari .
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Nahid Iqbal Mar 29, 2018 07:47pm
Very interesting
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Aslam Qadri Mar 29, 2018 09:15pm
These are more like snacks, India is a Veg and Vegan paradise, especially the Marwari cuisines. All restaurants have awesome full dishes, sweets, drinks, snacks et al...try it out...
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jamal Mar 30, 2018 08:00am
Haha, these dishes don't even cut the grade for vegetarian cuisine. Come to India and taste the magic.
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Furhan Aug 22, 2018 01:30pm
Go Dawn! Vegan, cruelty-free, zero guilt, good for the body, and great for the planet!
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Hindu Aug 22, 2018 02:48pm
@vimla A place called Rajdhani in Pakistan? Also, a lady called Vimla in Pakistan?
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Hindu Aug 22, 2018 02:52pm
What's that white stuff on top of Neco's Strawberry Crumble? Isn't that cream? Since when is that vegan?
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M. Emad Aug 22, 2018 03:56pm
Vegan/ Vegetarians are almost an outcast in 'meaty Pakistan' ----- meat production associated with insensitivity, cruelty and eating meat makes a person more violent.
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Farouq Omaro Aug 22, 2018 06:32pm
Good info. Thanks
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imtaz faruqui Aug 22, 2018 07:27pm
Okra or Bhindi is cooked in several ways , one healthy way is .Take water to boil put some salt in it , when it start boiling drop the Okara in for just few minutes till it get soft. Eat and enjoy. You can pour some chutney for Desi taste.
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Steesh Sood Aug 22, 2018 11:22pm
@Imtiaz Ali Khan, Why aren't there more people like you Imtiaz, you are a breath of fresh air.. Yes bring both countries together& teach them once again to learn to live with each other. Hey , how great would it be if people could just across the borders without any fuss. What a beautiful dream.
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Inshallah_MPA Aug 22, 2018 11:25pm
What's vegan?
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Mohsin Aug 23, 2018 04:48am
Sumptuous dishes...one needs at least 14 days to really enjoy all these 14 tastes!
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Lahori kid Aug 24, 2018 09:33pm
I didn't know we had vegans in Pakistan, that's news to me.
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Imtiaz Ali Khan Aug 26, 2018 12:29pm
@Steesh Sood Thank you brother for your kinds words. Lots of love from Pakistan to you my Indo blood brother. Blessings....... :)
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