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    Food Review: From 'Dumpukht Lounge' to 'Dumpukht Kada'

    Written by: Syed Hashir Ali
    Posted on: January 11, 2017 |

    Pushtun style barbecue

    Dumpukht Kada, previously known as Dupukht Lounge, has been around since many years. Despite its unique rustic interior and rich menu devoted to Afghan and Central Asian cuisine, the place had its share of problems. Although the recipes were authentic and the taste was commendable, service and delivery were inconsistent and slow. Sometimes the chefs would serve under-cooked meat to customers who had been waiting for over an hour. There were also occasional complaints about the odour of raw meat that lingered around the sitting area of an otherwise promising restaurant.

    Recently, however, Dumpukht Kada has redeemed itself by bringing new chefs on board and speeding up its service. The restaurant has been bought by Awais Zuberi, who has not only rectified the flaws that his business inherited, but also aspires to continue the restaurant’s legacy of preserving the pride of Pushtun culture and Central Asian delicacies.  

    H-Block Market in DHA, Lahore is crowded with small and medium-sized desi eateries, most of which do not have much unique to offer. Amidst all these restaurants with their sparkly entrances and gaudy billboards, Dampukht Kada most likely will not catch your eye at first glance. While places like Karachi BBQ and Hot n Spicy are located on the front side of the commercial area, Dumpukht Kada is situated at a relatively quiet backside that goes unnoticed by most of the foot traffic. Still, however, food enthusiasts have managed to discover this unique eatery, and it has slowly but surely become a hot spot among Lahoris.   

    Dumpukht Kada, Lahore
     

    Dumpukht Kada is the right place for many occasions. The interior is elaborate, yet safe from ostentation. This makes it ideal for routine hangouts, as well as the occasional celebratory dinner. The antique décor includes wall hangings of swords and frames, and showpieces of Rubabs and Surahis. However, Dumpukht Kada’s biggest strength is of course its food. The taste is exemplary, and serving sizes are more than sufficient. You can literally order meat on meat with a side of meat (if you can handle that). While most entrées are worth a try, there are a few dishes on the menu that linger in my thoughts till long after I’ve enjoyed a meal at the restaurant. In no particular order, they are listed below:

    Kaynatma

    This is a traditional Central Asian broth, consisting of meat and vegetables cooked in stew. It is a pleasure just observing the color and texture of the tender meat chunks and fresh vegetables. The Kaynatma is a nutritious treat that is especially enjoyable in the colder half of the year.

    Dumpukht Kada, Lahore

    Kabuli Pulaow

    Chicken Afghani Boti Pulaow

    This is a divine combination of rice and Afghani chicken boti. Traditionally, Afghani Pulaow or Kabuli Pulaow is thought of as a lamb dish. However, Dumpukht Kada’s Chicken Afghani Boti Pulaow is perfectly capable of changing hardwired beliefs. The aromatic sela rice are softened to perfection, sprinkled with sweet and warming spices and topped with carrots that give them a distinct color. The base of this heavenly blend is formed by the boneless Afghani Botis thrown right off the skewer.       

    Mantu/Manty

    These are dumplings popular in Central Asian, Turkish, Middle Eastern and Afghan cuisines. Fortunately for us, they made their way through the Silk Route and are often found on the menus of Afghan and Hunzai restaurants in Pakistan. The Manty are steamed dumplings stuffed with meat and onion. Topped with yoghurt, tomato and herb sauces, they are enticing to look at and pleasurable to ingest.

    Dumpukht Kada, Lahore

    Manty, popular in Central Asian, Turkish, Middle Eastern and Afghan cuisines

    Dumpukht

    No Pushtun culinary repertoire is complete without Dumpukht or Rosh. The Dumpukht is a pair of enormous pieces of lamb (alternatively mutton), slow-cooked in its own juices to maintain the natural taste and aroma, and served with a side of baked potato. Priced at around PKR 1700, this dish alone can serve at least 4 people, and is a must-try.

    Barbecue

    Recommending just one item would be unfair to the plethora of delectable options on the barbecue menu. All items including kebabs, botis and chops are prepared in the Afghan/Kabuli method. The deliberate lack of tikka masalas and common barbecue spices is welcome, as it enables you to relish the natural juices of the meat. Although I would recommend experimenting with different kinds of Kebabs and Botis, a few items worth mentioning are Lamb Patta Tikka, Khadda Sajji, Special Khadda Kebab and Reshami Kebab.

    Dumpukht Kada, Lahore

    Pehawari Kahwa in a traditional tea set

    Peshawari Kahwa

    Although this kahwa is not the best one you’ll find in Lahore, it does help bring down the massive amounts of protein and fat consumed. The Peshawari Kahwa is a refreshing and aromatic green tea, served in the traditional Peshawari teapot and teacups that will immediately remind you of the kahwa stalls at the Qissa Khawani Bazaar in Peshawar.

    The nashta (breakfast) menu at Dumpukht Kada is also worth mentioning. The spicy Channa Masala, Fluffy Pooris, Pera Lassi and halwas filled with cardamom are the perfect starters for a lazy Sunday. Unfortunately, though, the breakfast menu has been discontinued for the time being. Although the Pera Lassi (which must contain a special ingredient that can make you feel dizzy or even intoxicated) is still available, it does not always go well with the Central Asian or Pushtun main courses. 

    Dumpukht Kada, Lahore

    Breakfast menu

    Dumpukht Kada takes great pride in its secret recipes for tribal cuisines and Central Asian delicacies. Recent changes have resulted in vastly improved service and better quality food. The antique ambiance, highlighting the region’s glorious heritage and culture, also adds to the charm. These factors combine to make Dumpukht Kada one of the finest Pushtun restaurants you’ll find in Lahore.


    As the new year begins, let us also start anew. I’m delighted to extend, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my own name, new year’s greeting and sincere wishes to YOULIN magazine’s staff and readers.

    Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested. Only with courage can we live to the fullest. 2020 was an extraordinary year. Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan supported each other and took on the challenge in solidarity. The ironclad China-Pakistan friendship grew stronger as time went by. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects advanced steadily in difficult times, become a standard-bearer project of the Belt and Road Initiative in balancing pandemic prevention and project achievement. The handling capacity of the Gwadar Port has continued to rise and Afghanistan transit trade through the port has officially been launched. The Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade project is fully open to traffic. The Lahore Orange Line project has been put into operation. The construction of Matiari-Lahore HVDC project was fully completed. A batch of green and clean energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower plants have been substantially promoted. Development agreement for the Rashakai SEZ has been signed. The China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future has become closer and closer.

    Reviewing the past and looking to the future, we are confident to write a brilliant new chapter. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The 100-year journey of CPC surges forward with great momentum and China-Pakistan relationship has flourished in the past 70 years. Standing at a new historic point, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, connect the CPEC cooperation with the vision of the “Naya Pakistan”, promote the long-term development of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with love, dedication and commitment. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan said, “We are going through fire. The sunshine has yet to come.” Yes, Pakistan’s best days are ahead, China will stand with Pakistan firmly all the way.

    YOULIN magazine is dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan and is a window for Pakistani friends to learn about China, especially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is hoped that with the joint efforts of China and Pakistan, YOULIN can listen more to the voices of readers in China and Pakistan, better play its role as a bridge to promote more effectively people-to-people bond.

    Last but not least, I would like to wish all the staff and readers of YOULIN a warm and prosper year in 2021.

    Nong Rong Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
    The People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
    January 2021