Food and eating habits
How people eat in Pakistan
50 indicators exploring everyday meals, ingredients and food culture. Information is completed progressively from documented evidence.
3 of 50 indicators with documented information
Not all data are comparable: food supply, purchases and intake are different measures. Check the period, population and method for each finding. Qualitative descriptions do not establish percentages or amounts.
Timing and company
0/8
| Indicator | Findings and context |
|---|---|
| Meal times | Awaiting research |
| Meals per day | Awaiting research |
| Meal duration | Awaiting research |
| Daily energy distribution | Awaiting research |
| Weekdays and weekends | Awaiting research |
| Eating at home and away | Awaiting research |
| Cooking frequency | Awaiting research |
| Eating together | Awaiting research |
Pantry and recipes
0/2
| Indicator | Findings and context |
|---|---|
| Most consumed ingredients | Awaiting research |
| Ingredient prevalence in recipes | Awaiting research |
Cereals and plant foods
0/6
| Indicator | Findings and context |
|---|---|
| Cereals and cereal products | Awaiting research |
| Bread | Awaiting research |
| Pulses | Awaiting research |
| Vegetables | Awaiting research |
| Fruit | Awaiting research |
| Potatoes, roots and tubers | Awaiting research |
Protein foods
0/5
| Indicator | Findings and context |
|---|---|
| Meat | Awaiting research |
| Fish and seafood | Awaiting research |
| Eggs | Awaiting research |
| Milk and dairy products | Awaiting research |
| Protein sources | Awaiting research |
Fats, flavours and condiments
3/3
| Indicator | Findings and context |
|---|---|
| Cooking fats |
The culinary description mentions hot oil for releasing spice aromas and ghee for richness. It does not document olive-oil use or amounts. Scope, method and limitations
|
| Herbs and spices |
The description lists cumin, coriander, turmeric, red chili powder, garam masala, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, and bay leaves, and explains that spices are added at different cooking stages. Scope, method and limitations
|
| Sauces and condiments |
The description presents pickles or chutney as accompaniments to everyday meals and mentions tamarind chutney with yogurt and spices on chaat. Scope, method and limitations
|
Meal composition
0/6
| Indicator | Findings and context |
|---|---|
| Breakfast composition | Awaiting research |
| Main meal composition | Awaiting research |
| Dinner composition | Awaiting research |
| Appetisers and snacks | Awaiting research |
| Desserts and sweets | Awaiting research |
| Portion sizes | Awaiting research |
Techniques and equipment
0/5
| Indicator | Findings and context |
|---|---|
| Cooking techniques | Awaiting research |
| Vegetable preparation | Awaiting research |
| Food preservation | Awaiting research |
| Fermented foods | Awaiting research |
| Kitchen equipment | Awaiting research |
Drinks
0/3
| Indicator | Findings and context |
|---|---|
| Everyday drinks | Awaiting research |
| Coffee and tea preparation | Awaiting research |
| Drinks with meals | Awaiting research |
Nutrition and dietary patterns
0/3
| Indicator | Findings and context |
|---|---|
| Energy and nutrients | Awaiting research |
| Salt and sugars | Awaiting research |
| Dietary patterns | Awaiting research |
Shopping, prices and waste
0/7
| Indicator | Findings and context |
|---|---|
| Food expenditure | Awaiting research |
| Cost of a common basket | Awaiting research |
| Cost of specific meals | Awaiting research |
| Grocery shopping locations | Awaiting research |
| Shopping frequency | Awaiting research |
| Prepared food and delivery | Awaiting research |
| Household food waste | Awaiting research |
Seasons and celebrations
0/2
| Indicator | Findings and context |
|---|---|
| Seasonal produce | Awaiting research |
| Celebration food | Awaiting research |
Coverage in progress
The editorial guide for this country is in preparation. You can already explore its recipes; regional attributions are added when documented.
Guide available in other languages: Español
Places and communities
One country, many cuisines
An initial selection of regions to explore. Culinary boundaries may differ from administrative divisions.
Cook
Recipes connected with Pakistan
Each recipe documents one version. Geographic associations do not imply an exclusive origin.
Pakistani Sheer Khurma
A Pakistani dessert of toasted fine vermicelli simmered in milk with dates, nuts, saffron, and cardamom. Serves 6.
View recipe
Sindhi Chicken Biryani
Pakistani chicken biryani layered with basmati rice, potatoes, green chilies, fresh herbs, and Sindhi masala.
View recipe
Pakistani chicken karahi
Golden chicken simmered with tomatoes, ginger and spices in a Pakistani version without onion.
View recipe
Pakistani aloo paratha
Whole-wheat flatbread stuffed with spiced potato and cooked in a pan with ghee or butter until golden and crisp.
View recipe
Sources consulted
Read the sources and each document’s scope. A heritage inscription concerns a particular practice, not all of a country’s cuisine.
- Pakistani Cuisine – Traditional Flavors, Regional Dishes & Cultural Food Heritage - ZaiqaHaus www.zaiqahaus.de/pakistani-cuisine/ zaiqahaus.de Consulted: October 25, 2026
- Registro nacional del patrimonio cultural inmaterial heritage.pakistan.gov.pk/SiteImage/Misc/files/ICH%20Pakistan%20Low.pdf National Heritage and Culture Division, Government of Pakistan
- Lahore: cultura y gastronomía tdap.gov.pk/lahore-district/ Trade Development Authority of Pakistan
- Cocina sindhi stdc.gos.pk/sindhi-cuisine/ Sindh Tourism Development Corporation