Lahore: The Land of Food and Flavor

Setting foot on the soil of Lahore, one is pulled into the historical and cultural glory of the city. No wonder it is called the “cultural heart of Pakistan,” with its centuries-old monuments and sites to explore; Lahore is indeed history waiting to be unraveled. The city has been subject to a Millennium of cultural, religious, and social diversity. Each ruling nation brought with it its own culture and tradition to this already diverse city. Today, Lahore is a social hub for tourists wanting to learn and blend into the rich history of the subcontinent and the greater east.

Of the many places which holistically captures the essence of Lahore is its lavish and infamous food street. The entire structure is adjacent to the Grand and stunning Badshahi mosque built by Aurangzeb, the Mughal emperor. Many hotels and restaurants built on the street provide a great view of the mosque so that foodies can enjoy the Lahore experience. The first time someone enters the road, the design of the street cannot go unnoticed. The architecture influences the entire structure from the era of the British-raj, and it brings out the influence of the colonial era on the city. Moving further into this hallway of aroma and flavors, you will find vendors and hotel mascots trying to pull you into their hotels via their boastful speech about their food. Once you select your choice from a seemingly endless list of hotels, one then proceeds to the food itself. The selection of delicacies is almost as endless as the choice of vendors. This complicated process of ordering food is not the only thing that will irritate you, as the wait for this great combination of flavors brings on even more frustration. However, as the first morsel touches one’s taste buds, the patience seems meaningless and minuscule. Great food can put into mind an image of diverse cultures and traditions. Food can transcend time and people; it is a ticket to history and a humble assurance of preserving a culture.

By the time one is done with the savory part of this flavor-driven adventure, one’s taste buds will be longing for something sweet to finish the evening. Lahore’s food street has a great selection of western and eastern-style desserts to satisfy any sweet tooth. This aromatic journey usually leaves one with a full stomach, but not to worry, the long walk to any form of commute will be sufficient to burn off those extra carbs.

Indeed, the food street shall be on anyone’s to-do list when they visit Lahore.