The much-anticipated Karachi Eat 2024 has returned to the city, bringing with it a vibrant mix of culinary delights and a newly-launched BEAT festival, dedicated to showcasing the talents of young singers. This year’s edition kicked off with an undeniable energy, although the crowd’s enthusiasm seemed to fall short of expected levels.
As a first-time attendee of the Eat festival, I braced myself for potential challenges such as disastrous management, parking woes, and the absence of internet connectivity, based on the horror stories circulated from the previous year. The latter two continue to persist but overall the festival was notably better managed this time around, partially attributed to the relatively smaller number of attendees.
Engaging with various food businesses present at the event, ranging from seasoned participants to newcomers, a mixed response was evident. Some expressed concerns over the reduced engagement compared to the previous year, while others deemed it ordinary, considering the first day coincided with a Friday—a working day for many.
Despite the lukewarm initial turnout, the seating arrangement was inadequate. Throughout my visit, it was common to see families struggling to find chairs to sit their elderly and young. This dampened the overall experience for other attendees too who sought a comfortable space to savour their culinary discoveries.
These usual hurdles aside, the festival’s appeal is undeniable given the rare avenues of public entertainment available. As for foodies like myself, the food festival had a lot to offer from signature rabri gol gappas to an irresistible deal of chicken cheese momos. Without further ado, here is everything I tried at Karachi Eat 2024.
1. Signature Sandwich from Binge Bite
Opting for the regular serving at Rs.720, Binge Bite’s signature sandwich was the perfect segue into an evening filled with food experiments. The sandwich’s harmonious blend of flavours and textures justified the festival chaos. As for the price tag, the portion was generous but the experience was compromised by the bread having sat in the cold for too long.
2. Rabri Gol Gappa from Aysh De Cuisine
This stall was the first to join my wishlist. Ayesha Mughal, the wonder woman behind Aysh De Cuisine, was declared the second-time winner of “Beginnings With Us,” a contest where home chefs compete for a spot at Karachi Eat. Priced at Rs.350 for a set of five, this unconventional twist on a classic snack piqued my interest. Surprisingly, the fusion of the crisp gol gappas and creamy rabri proved to be a delightful revelation, showcasing an innovative take on traditional flavours that left a delicious aftertaste.
3. Chicken Tikka Biryani from Bhabi Jee Restaurant
As much as I love biryani, the dish is too common for me to try at an ambitious food festival like Karachi Eat. What drew me to Bhabi Jee Restaurant, aside from its name, was the long queue of customers and the price. Going with their classic Chicken Tikka Biryani, there was no denying the quality; the aroma was tantalising and the chicken was well-saturated with spice. However, there was nothing unique about the experience or the presentation of the dish to justify a Rs.400 price tag for a single plate.
4. Nutella Churro from Fairy’s Dessert Churo
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