Zibago
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'How To Get Around Islamabad in Under 250 Rupees'
People in Islamabad have a knack of fancying things up. For instance, pakora chutney would be described as “Assorted pakoras with mint mango dip” for the added zing, in order to justify a higher price for a run-of-the-mill local delicacy.
Having said that, we decided to make Islamabad all the more affordable for those that splurge on all the things they don’t need but absolutely must have at the start of the month, or those who live off a budget in a hostel and have to foot the bill for all their basic necessities or those who’d rather spend on a new PS4 Star Wars game than on fancy food. Let’s have a look at some of the culinary adventures you can embark on with the least amount of moolah (in no particular order):
Chicken Palao: Savour Foods, Blue Area
Legend has it, the palao at Savour foods has secret ingredients: Fairy dust and pixie-tears, to name a few. This economy-driven fast-food chain preps in bulk and has the honor of feeding hundreds and hundreds of hungry men, women and children every single day. You can add on a kebab or a chicken piece or TWO of those with a side of salad and still stay within your budget.
Wallet woes: 160-235 rupees
Full-fat beef skewers: Kabul Restaurant, F-7
Undoubtedly the most authentic Afghani cuisine you can find under one roof, Kabul restaurant hosts chapali kebab, chicken and beef tikkah skewers with a douse of fat and the best kabuli palao you’ll get in Islamabad. Protip: Go with a party of four or eight or twelve or twenty, go dutch, stick out your share and get your money’s worth. End your meal with a hot cup of kaava. Highly recommended.
Wallet woes: 250 rupees. WORTH IT.
Roll Paratha: Pan shop, Jinnah market
Roll paratha connoisseurs have struggled since the beginning of time for the perfect roll paratha: an amalgamation of the crispy yet soft desi-ghee paratha, succulent boneless chicken tikkah chunks, veggies or no veggies and oozing with lots and lots of cheese. Order a regular roll paratha or the jumbo roll, wait for them to arrive to your (car)-doorstep and munch away while you slip the wait-staff a crisp fifty rupee note. Everybody’s happy.
Wallet woes: 130 rupees
Afghani Burger: Najeeb Spot in F-10
The quintessential gem of Afghani cuisine, Afghani burger at Najeeb Spot is your go-to place for a wholesome wrap with the works in a bite-sized price. Imagine biting into soft Afghani roti-wrap that holds within a healthy dose of sausages, a mountain of fries, vegetable condiments and squirts of chili-chutney, ketchup and dollops of mayo. Hello, is it me you’re looking for?
Wallet woes: 200 rupees with fries and drink. #score
Haleem: Haleem Ghar, F-8
People in Islamabad have a knack of fancying things up. For instance, pakora chutney would be described as “Assorted pakoras with mint mango dip” for the added zing, in order to justify a higher price for a run-of-the-mill local delicacy.
Having said that, we decided to make Islamabad all the more affordable for those that splurge on all the things they don’t need but absolutely must have at the start of the month, or those who live off a budget in a hostel and have to foot the bill for all their basic necessities or those who’d rather spend on a new PS4 Star Wars game than on fancy food. Let’s have a look at some of the culinary adventures you can embark on with the least amount of moolah (in no particular order):
Chicken Palao: Savour Foods, Blue Area
Legend has it, the palao at Savour foods has secret ingredients: Fairy dust and pixie-tears, to name a few. This economy-driven fast-food chain preps in bulk and has the honor of feeding hundreds and hundreds of hungry men, women and children every single day. You can add on a kebab or a chicken piece or TWO of those with a side of salad and still stay within your budget.
Wallet woes: 160-235 rupees
Full-fat beef skewers: Kabul Restaurant, F-7
Undoubtedly the most authentic Afghani cuisine you can find under one roof, Kabul restaurant hosts chapali kebab, chicken and beef tikkah skewers with a douse of fat and the best kabuli palao you’ll get in Islamabad. Protip: Go with a party of four or eight or twelve or twenty, go dutch, stick out your share and get your money’s worth. End your meal with a hot cup of kaava. Highly recommended.
Wallet woes: 250 rupees. WORTH IT.
Roll Paratha: Pan shop, Jinnah market
Roll paratha connoisseurs have struggled since the beginning of time for the perfect roll paratha: an amalgamation of the crispy yet soft desi-ghee paratha, succulent boneless chicken tikkah chunks, veggies or no veggies and oozing with lots and lots of cheese. Order a regular roll paratha or the jumbo roll, wait for them to arrive to your (car)-doorstep and munch away while you slip the wait-staff a crisp fifty rupee note. Everybody’s happy.
Wallet woes: 130 rupees
Afghani Burger: Najeeb Spot in F-10
The quintessential gem of Afghani cuisine, Afghani burger at Najeeb Spot is your go-to place for a wholesome wrap with the works in a bite-sized price. Imagine biting into soft Afghani roti-wrap that holds within a healthy dose of sausages, a mountain of fries, vegetable condiments and squirts of chili-chutney, ketchup and dollops of mayo. Hello, is it me you’re looking for?
Wallet woes: 200 rupees with fries and drink. #score
Haleem: Haleem Ghar, F-8
