If you’re craving something refreshingly different in Karachi’s ever-growing dining scene, K Pav might be your next favourite spot. From humble beginnings as a delivery-only kitchen to launching a full-fledged restaurant in Bukhari Commercial, K Pav has held onto its core strengths — bold flavours, inventive dishes, and a deep sense of culinary nostalgia.
Founded by Arun Perwani, K Pav is a love letter to Indian street food and the comforting home-style cooking of his late mother. The result? A menu that’s packed with heart and heritage — and a dining experience you won’t easily find elsewhere in the city.
A Time Machine in Bukhari
The ambiance of K Pav is its first unexpected delight. Step inside and you’re immediately transported to an old Iranian café in Saddar. With mosaic tiled floors, green walls and doors, vintage photographs, and even a gramophone perched on a shelf, the restaurant leans into retro charm with quiet confidence. There’s seating for around 40 guests — enough to enjoy your meal comfortably without feeling like you’re jostling for elbow space.
A Menu Meant for Sharing
K Pav’s strength lies in its eclectic snack menu, where dishes are ideal for sharing and sampling. The flavours lean bold and unfamiliar, especially for Pakistani palates more accustomed to traditional local fare. But if you enjoy venturing off the beaten path, this is where the fun begins.
Jungly Chicken
A show-stealer in the snack section, the Jungly Chicken is a hefty, deep-fried piece of chicken smothered in onions and batter. It’s indulgent and filling — almost a meal in itself — with the right amount of crunch and spice to keep you coming back for more.
Corn Bhajia Chaat
Don’t think twice — just order it. These deep-fried corn fritters are topped with onions, chutney, coriander, and sev, offering a satisfying blend of textures and flavours in a single bite. It’s a standout dish that exemplifies the playful, inventive spirit of K Pav’s menu.
Momos with Personality
A nod to Indian street staples, the momos come in fun, colourful wrappers and are available in chicken, corn & cheese, and paneer fillings. While all three varieties have their merits, the paneer momo, rich and tender, took the crown at our table.
Veg Manchurian
This one sparked debate. Golden-fried vegetable balls tossed in a rich soy-chilli glaze were loved by half the table — and politely passed over by the other half. If you’re a fan of Indo-Chinese cuisine or just love your veggies, you might fall into the first camp.
Dosas, Vadas & Prawns: A South Indian Journey
The Dosa & Medu Vada
Crisp, light, and served with an authentic sambar that’s milder than the spice-laden versions we’re used to, the dosa won unanimous praise. Paired with a soft, comforting Medu Vada, it transported us to an Indian diner overseas — warm, authentic, and familiar.
Loose Prawns
These deep-fried prawns tossed with garlic, onions, and green chilies pack a fiery punch. Crunchy, dry, and unapologetically spiced, they were a hit with spice lovers at the table — and proof that K Pav knows how to make seafood sing.
Scallion Straws
This dish didn’t quite leave a lasting impression, though that may have had more to do with our already full bellies than any fault of the straws themselves.
Mains: Rich, Creamy & Comforting
Once we made room (and yes, it took a walk around the restaurant to manage that), the main courses arrived.
Butter Chicken
Thankfully less sweet than most versions around town, this dish was rich, savoury, and perfect with a flaky lachha paratha.
Daal Makhani
Heavy, creamy, and deeply satisfying — the Daal Makhani came with pickles, papars, and cutlets that offered contrast and variety. A tip: try the daal with the house achar for an added tang that really brightens the dish.
Final Verdict: A Welcome Disruption
What we skipped this time — longtime favourites like Thread Chicken, Chicken 65, and Crispy Pepper Paneer — was only to make space for exploring the new menu. And we’re glad we did. K Pav isn’t trying to do what everyone else is doing — it’s curating a culinary niche that’s vibrant, nostalgic, and refreshingly original.
So if you’re in Karachi and want to try something that doesn’t taste like everywhere else, head to K Pav. Come with friends, order a variety, and eat with curiosity. This is not a place for the faint of spice or for those expecting the familiar — but it is a place for food lovers eager to discover what happens when passion meets the plate.
