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    Food Review: PANTRY, Karachi

    Written by: Sanodia Abrar
    Posted on: September 14, 2018 | | 中文

    Lettuce Wraps (L), Turkey flatbread (R)

    Located in the heart of the city, PANTRY packs a splendid experience for those in search of an unforgettable taste with brilliant hospitality. If you’re around Zamzama and need a bite, make sure to drop by. PANTRY also offers retail products such as their own pasta and freshly baked bread. You can order food, buy some bread, or enjoy both!

    PANTRY, Karachi

    PANTRY, Karachi (Source: PANTRY)

    The location is easy to find, with a number of popular eateries surrounding it, like FLOC, Espresso, and Okra. Situated in one of the area’s busiest lanes, parking can be a hassle when you’re visiting. There is no valet service, so make sure you have arrangements for your car. The entrance to PANTRY is up a step, which means there is no specific wheelchair accommodation. However, I’m pretty sure the staff would be more than willing to help out and maximize any guest’s comfort.

    PANTRY Interior

    PANTRY Interior (Source, PANTRY)

    Although PANTRY offers a pretty diverse range of appetizers, I’m glad I selected the Lettuce Wraps. Though slightly pricey at nearly 500 PKR, they are probably one of the most refreshing and palate cleansing things I have ever tasted. If you eat them in between two meals, they’ll serve as the perfect break. The appetizer consists of sliced vegetables such as carrots and cucumbers, marinated in a lovely sauce along with peanuts, tossed with some chicken, and all placed inside a lettuce bowl. You can and should eat them like tacos. Rating: 9/10

    PANTRY’s flatbreads are one of a kind, and the one thing I would definitely recommend the most on their menu. The Four Cheese Flatbread is flat out tasty, and contains the regular Mozzarella, Parmesan and Cheddar, along with the lesser known Bleu Cheese. The taste and texture of Bleu Cheese might come off as a strong for those who aren’t used to it. But mixed with basil and buffalo sauce, the combination of flavors is wonderful. The serving size of all their flatbreads is enough for 2-3 people, so the price range between 700-1000 PKR is pretty reasonable too. Rating: 9/10

    Talking about flatbreads, my personal favorite is the Turkey Flatbread. When you take the first bite, you know you’ve put your money in the right place. Perhaps my favorite thing about the PANTRY is that they use fresh ingredients. Most restaurants put canned mushrooms in their food but PANTRY uses fresh shitake mushrooms that compliment the flatbread better than anything ever will. Rating: 9.5/10

    However, if your preference is something simple yet scrumptious, you can always opt for their Chicken Roulade. This is a brilliant version of stuffed chicken, topped with a heavenly chilli cream sauce and served with steamed vegetables that are done to perfection. There is no side included, because the chicken itself is very fulfilling, and even slightly heavy. It is not as good as their other dishes mentioned above, but certainly something everyone will enjoy. However, not worth the price of 800 PKR. Rating: 7.5/10

    Chicken Roulade

    Chicken Roulade

    Pink Lemonade

    Pink Lemonade

    If you feel thirsty, don’t forget to ask for their Pink Lemonade. This little guy is all you need when you’re having a good meal. It’s refreshing and sweet, and you probably won’t be satisfied with just one glass. Rating: 8/10

    All in all, what makes PANTRY stand out amongst competitors is that it’s one of the most welcoming places I have been to. The servers repeatedly asked how we liked our food, and the chef visited our table personally. The importance of taste fades away when you eat something better and you move on, but what stays with you is the warmth and hospitality of the place. That is exactly what keeps dragging me back to PANTRY again and again.


    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