Lahore is the cultural heart of Pakistan with 1000 years of the interesting history of occupation by Mughals, Sikhs and British Imperial Rule. Times have changed but Lahori's love for exotic and rich food has not changed through destinations.

One cold winter morning, I decided to dedicate a day to foodie adventures in various parts of Lahore, starting with an amazing traditional breakfast in the historical part of the town. Gluttony is not the way of life, however, exploring new tastes and flavours endlessly can keep me very happy. 

Zest for life, love for food and a tolerance for noise and large crowds are key skills to impart on the solo adventure in the world of amazing Lahori Food. 

It's 6 in the morning, I am craving some halwa puri. The crunchy and crisp puris (wheat/starchy bread) is tossed into the boiling oil and stirred for 20 seconds before it balloons into a golden crispy delight.

The freshest puri is only to be enjoyed fresh from the wok, served with chickpeas curry (channa) often make with potatoes.  A side of pickles and a generous serving of halwa is definitely a taste enhancer and give a smooth finish to a lovely breakfast. Top it up with doodh pati (milk tea).

Puri is made by deep frying the dough in oil 

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 Quite a ritual early in the morning!!!  Halwa Puri is the standard Lahori breakfast on the weekend morning. 

The craving has yet not ended, and I got a rickshaw to Lakshmi Chowk before it gets very another serving of "Hareesa" served with sesame bread called Kulcha. There are family-owned businesses serving the same recipe through generations. The taste is perfected to satisfy the Lahori palate. 

Harrisa is a popular Lahori dish served with Naan bread

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The benefits of arriving early mean no wait time or queues. Simply get the best service and avoid the onlookers who try to put you in a box with their hungry stares. 

Harissa is to be enjoyed on cold winter mornings as the food is extremely rich. Lentils and beef is cooked overnight to create a thick mixture topped with desi ghee, green chilli peppers and strips of ginger. An extra topping for fried mini-kebabs adds the final touch to the perfect dish. 

Kulcha - is an oven-baked bread with sesame seeds

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How about trying a glass of lassi from a shop down the road? 

I decided to try some lassi as a long walk from Lakshmi Chowk to Anarkali through winding roads around the Mao Hospital over to Tollington Market. The early morning winter air was crisp as it rained the previous night. 

Hafiz Juice Corner is popular cafe in front of Tollington Market that has been restored to the original plan and locked for visitor access. The juice corner sells fresh juices and milkshakes and the list is endless. 

I decided to visit Lahore Museum to build up some appetite after a two-course breakfast. I landed back at the Hafiz Juice corner after two hours, thirsty and exhausted from the long walk through the corridors gorging tons of historical information, facts and information about the amazing history of our region. 

Banana Milkshake with almonds is sure to give a massive energy boost for an exhausted foodie. While enjoying my drink, I was planning for lunch. 

Visiting Dehli Darwaza and lunch at Walima House

I visited Walima House with my father in the early 90s and fell in love with the place. Ideally situated in the Old Bazaar near Kotwali, the restaurant was managed by a Kashmiri guy who knew how to cook food to perfection.

Lunch at Walima House Lahore - Roast Lamb and goat meat in spinach

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Massive chunks of beef steamed overnight in an airtight container, spinach with tinder goat meat, kebabs, minced meat dishes, vegetables, special daal!!  Something for everyone I guess. 

This time I planned to revisit the Delhi Darwaza (One of the old gates of Walled Lahore City) and 400 old public baths that were opened for public viewing. This part of the town is restored to the original setting with little shopfronts selling traditional hukkas (an old form of shisha) and tobacco and a balcony from the old houses overlooking the main streets of the bazaar. Quite a bit of history there to absorb.  

On my way back home, I felt like having some light snacks to cool me down.  Dahi Bhala from Regal Chowk Lahore is a must for food lovers, as a mix of lentil-based pockets in yogurt along with potatoes, sweet sauce and onion make this an ideal snack for between meals. 

The rickshaw ride from Regal Chowk to my home was a bumpy one. However, I was too busy planning for my dinner in the trendy neighbourhood of Gulberg Lahore!!!!

 

Shouket is a passionate foodie and traveller who is continuous on a hunt for new and amazing destinations in south-east Asia. Shaukat loves exploring regional foods, reviewing restaurants and trying out new recipes.  Follow: ozasiatraveller