Pakistani Food

Pakistani food is a refined blend of various regional cooking traditions of Central Asia, and is known for its richness and flavour. Within Pakistan, cuisine varies greatly from region to region, reflecting the country's ethnic and cultural diversity. Food from the eastern provinces of Punjab and Sindh are similar to the cuisines of North-Western India and can be highly seasoned and spicy. Food from the western provinces of Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas involve the use of mild aromatic spices and less oil, characterizing affinities to the cuisines of neighbouring Iran and Afghanistan. Food from Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan also involve the use of Turkic cooking styles, and is similar to the cuisines found in Central Asia and South-Western China. International cuisine and fast food are popular in the bigger cities. Blending local and foreign recipes (fusion food) such as Pakistani Chinese cuisine, is common in large urban centres. Furthermore, as a result of lifestyle changes, ready made masala (mixed and ready to use spices) are becoming increasingly popular. However, given the diversity of the people of Pakistan, cuisines generally differ from region-to-region within provinces.