DESI EXPRESS - Desi Food is always Trending

You can never really go wrong with Desi (local) food in Pakistan. If you do, then there are dire consequences to be faced. Another desi food joint by the name of Desi Express, but of course, launched last month in Karachi. Is it different? Perhaps not. Is it good? Let me surprise you.

With the "Chai and Paratha" trend flourishing in Karachi, the need for similar places in locations other than just Clifton or DHA is also being explored. Desi Express saw that niche and opened up a joint in Sindhi Muslim Society, Karachi. This was a welcoming news for many nearby, who at one point would willingly take those long trips to the other side of the city for the typical desi food and hot beverage that your mother can cook at home, but where is the fun in that!

Desi Express is a comfortable food joint, literally tucked away in the corner of the famous Sindhi Muslim roundabout. The food served is more than just regular Chai and Paratha, though that does rule the speciality as per the menu. Other highly desi options include BBQ, Karahi, Desi rolls along with other assorted options like Chapli kebabs, Chawal Daal (rice and lentils), and of course no desi place is complete without Biryani.

The decor is quite basic with a few truck art (surprise!) elements placed strategically around the small space which can accommodate up to 30 people comfortably. There is an additional seating for 12 people outside as well. The ambiance felt too new with the probability of taking time to break into the familiarity zone after a few visits.

Desi Express staff started with a greeting and serving the guests (including me) with mint lemonade, another local favorite, along with two variations of parathas; Chicken Cheese and Aloo Paratha.

What can I say?  The only way you can go wrong with a Mint Lemonade is with too much mint or too much sweetness. The flavours were quite on point with the exception of mint which was generously used. Refreshing nonetheless, the drink can definitely do well with less texture.

Fresh, piping hot paratha can always elevate your mood. Both Aloo and Chicken Cheese parathas were crispy from the outside with a centre filled with soft, flavoursome filling.

Aloo Paratha took me on a nostalgic trip to my childhood when my grandmother used to specially make these in summer, pairing them with cold mango slices. Do try this combination on your own. Perhaps you can get the parathas from Desi Express and mangoes from the fruit vendor, but, if you haven't tried this combo you are missing out. The aloo filling inside was not overdone, piquancy was sharp but not hot, potatoes were soft, not chunky.

Chicken Cheese can do justice with more filling and seasoning. The cheese overruled the chicken mince, therefore becoming the dominant flavor. Overall pleasant with potential.

All the food served was outright desi/local so the traditional flavours were only slightly varied. So in all honesty, a general overview is legit instead of per dish. First, let's line up the rest of food in order of serving and images below:

1. Malai Chicken Boti with Puri Paratha 
2. Beef Boti
3. Chapli Kebab 
4. ChickenTikka Botti 
5. Salateen Namkeen Karahi
6. Sindhi Masala Karhai

Let's start with meat. It is crucial for the meat, be it white or red, to be prepared faultlessly. It can't me too dry, neither can it be undercooked. In this case, I really need to give Desi Express brownie points for making each bite burst and melt in my mouth. Every dish maintained balance in it's entirety, the malai boti's velvety texture, the juicy, moist insides of the tikka boti and the ideal tenderness of both the karahis. The doneness of the meat was best.

Obviously, they tasted like they should, but there is bad desi food and good desi food, these dishes befitting the later. The dazzling appearance of every food item complemented the equally savoury palate. Every bite was relished. That being said I do have slight concern over the batter of the chapli kebab which governed the taste more than the meat itself.

If you are wondering that was it, the service had not quite ended yet. The final note was sweet with succulent Shahi Tukrey and the much needed cup of Doodh Patti (Pkr.), Shahi tukrey (sort of like desi bread pudding) was warm and moist with sweet syrup in the inside beaming with crunchy sides which made it even more enjoyable. The level of sweetness was not overbearing and the tea on the side was the cherry on the top, to wash down the big bites of goodness.

The Verdict: You should go to Desi Express to enjoy the wholesome menu, clean environment and simply for the love of desi food (You must be an alien if don't love desi food, for real!). You can further review the menu HERE. A visit, atleast once, is absolute.