ROCHESTER, N.Y. — New York state is home to thousands of Pakistani communities. But despite its growing population there are only a handful of restaurants catered to the culture.
“I have been living here for, like, nine years now, and we were struggling to find a Pakistani restaurant,” Khatri Biryani & More owner Fahim Ahmed said. “I don’t think we have any Pakistani restaurant in 100 mile. We used to go to Canada to eat a Pakistani food.
“We just brought that actual taste to here and that’s our specialty,” Ahmed said. “It’s biriyani which cook with different kind of meats, whatever you prefer”
Often mistaken for Indian food, Pakistani cuisines vastly differ.
“We have a lot of different spices that we use that they don’t,” Ahmed said.
Currently, China and the United States remain to be one of Pakistan’s largest trading partners, not only helping bring goods and spices through these kitchen doors, but nostalgia for a lot of immigrants.
“When you hear about a Pakastani restaurant, you expect to eat the same kind of food that you eat back home,” Ahmed said. “The memories from the back home, like when we were a child.”
Combatting high demand, the rise of a fast-paced and globalized dining experience- its owners continue to share the essence through its hearty desi cuisines.
“It’s a very big opportunity for us to introduce our cultural food,” Ahmed said. “They are loving the vibes and the spices and the flavor we provide.”