The moment the red checkered banner displaying Karachi Eat was put up, my family and I knew we were going to attend thefood fest that has been adorning Karachi Frere Hall grounds since the last three years. This food fest is essentially for those who love food, hence 22-24 January, 2016, witnessed crowds of young, youngest, old and oldest alike.

And here is a list of food items that I was able to ingest on the last sunny morning of this festival. The items were obviously bought in haste and greed, lest the other foodies took my share, hence they were also not eaten in any proper gastronomic order.

Red Rabbit

Mixed Chaat

My love for chaat, ceases never! And this is one of the best items that I happened to have at the festival. Crispy papri over deliciously sweet and runny yogurt mixed with chutneys, sliced onions and chanaas (chick peas) and bhalla was an absolute treat. Well balanced and cool.

Chuto Chaiwala

Cheese Paratha

A stunner really, how these chai walas have taken over the regular hanging out with friends and families in K-Town. And there was no reason for them not to be present at the festival. The golden brown flaky bread loaded with gooey cheese and chicken is certainly not for the faint hearted.

 

Nano’s

Bun Kebab

This item has been our family favourite since the festival started two years ago. The bun kebab sliders are warmed and toasted on a huge flat iron tawwa, topped with house made sauces and chutneys, and finally slapped over by a chunky kebab. It definitely is worth a try.

Bond Street Waffle

Nutella Waffle

Having read reviews of this particular item on Facebook, it was a must try for me. The waffle was squidgy, crispy and sweet on the outside and moist and absolutely divine on the inside. Although I had requested a Nutella (hearts in my eyes) topping I was given a chocolate swirl instead, which was fine as long as I got to dig in the inch deep waffle.

Saniya’s Khowsuey

Khowsuey

It was a pleasure to watch the entire family behind the stall, dishing out this particular dish, which has so many versions now. Soft boiled noodles, chicken curry, yellow aromatic coconut soup finally topped with chilli crisps and scallions. Steeply priced, yet heartwarming.

Chapli Kebab House

Chapli Kebab

Last year I was reprimanded by a close family friend for even thinking that Karachi can do good chaplis. Her stake was that Peshawari chaplis cannot be replicated anywhere. However, like last year we queued for the same thick chunky discs of deeply fried meat served with naan bread. Hearty, warm and meaty - it certainly did the trick.

The Sauce, Burger Café

Fries

With cubs in tow, it wasn’t even remotely possible to not have fries? And this place was selling out thick, freshly fried potato fries topped with toppings of your own choice. Certainly a favorite with the kids!

I don’t think anyone walked out of the festival without being subjected to food coma, and if I had any more space to take in more food after ingesting bits and pieces of the above I would have definitely tried the thickly lined churros with chocolate, the  divine looking Koyla Karahi and Fatso’s grilled delicious looking sandies. However, without losing heart and tummy, I already have them on my ‘TO EAT’ list for next year. Well done Karachi Eat 2016!

 

THE NUMBERS

Foot Fall

60,000

tickets sold at Karachi Eat this year.

No. of stalls

88

Most Popular Stalls

Chapli Kebab House

Fatso’s

Bond Street Waffles

Nutella Gol Gappas

Chicken Chew Rolls

Least Popular Stalls

Foreign franchises like TGIF

Unique Stalls

Bond Street waffles

Spoonful

Hottest item

Khowsuey

Bun and (Bunless)
Chapli Kebabs

16,000

chapli kebabs were consumed

3,000

bun kebabs from Burns Road were gobbled up

Garbage collection

40

people were collecting garbage round the clock.  Needless to say, a lot of trash was collected!

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Bond Street Waffle

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Nano’s Bun Kebab

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Cheese Paratha

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Saniya’s Khow Suey