RAWALPINDI: Parathas with tea and lassi were the favoured breakfast food in South Asia, ranging from layered parathas to those stuffed with chicken, beef and vegetables.

However, over time, this popular dish also established its dominance over lunch and dinner menus and began accompanying dishes like karahi chicken, haleem and nihari.

May shops and stalls have opened in the downtown areas of Rawalpindi city which specialise in parathas including in Kartarpura, Bhabra Bazaar, Saddar, Commercial Market, Chaklala Scheme III and Bahria Town.

Seeing the demand for the flatbread, restaurants have also included various types of parathas and have started combining it with other, much loved dishes such as pizzas.

‘What a Paratha’ in Bahria Town is a new entrant in the local food industry and a refreshing change from the existing eateries.

They offer Hara Masala paratha, pizza paratha, BBQ special paratha, pepperoni cheese paratha, chicken cheese qeema paratha, cheese paratha and many others.

“Our parathas are made according to my mother’s recipes. We decided on a specialised restaurant for parathas to offer people a change. We offered different parathas including those with layers, and most people want to eat in, while they are hot,” said Imran Sarfaraz, the owner of the restaurant.

“I have tried to present a common food in an innovative and different style,” he said, adding that the parathas are accompanied by tea or soft drinks.

Mr Sarfaraz said their parathas are finely rolled and shallow fried in a pan.

A branch of the outlet has now been opened in Islamabad and there is already one in Lahore as well.

The Hara Masala paratha is stuffed with a generous amount of cheese and is served with a mayo dip and ketchup.

“I love to eat parathas. I usually get them from stalls but this is a nice change of environment,” said Shamshair Ali, a customer at the eatery.

He said there are enough flavours at the restaurant to cater to the tastes of all members of his family.

Shahid Malik, a resident of Gulistan Colony, said he wanted something other than his usual eggs and toast on Sundays for breakfast and that he usually gets parathas from the market.

He said with the opening of so many paratha restaurants, there is also no more need to get up so early in the morning to get the flatbread.

“It is always good to eat parathas with tea. And the many new flavours makes the experience even better,” said Nauman Ali, another customer at the restaurant.

“Many companies now also make frozen parathas but a good, freshly made paratha is incomparable,” he said.

Published in Dawn, August 20th, 2018