- Local restaurants welcoming visitors with signs in Chinese
ISLAMABAD: Following China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), there has been a notable increase in the two-way traffic between the two ‘brother’ countries. A popular Pakistani food outlet with a couple of branches in the federal capital is welcoming their visitors with Chinese billboards.
The introduction of traditional Chinese food has given a further traditional Chinese look to restaurants. One such example is seafood, where Chinese additions have increased the varieties in otherwise traditionally limited seafood options in Pakistani restaurants.
With the rising trend of Chinese restaurants, hotels have also been seen stepping up to prepare and introduce new Chinese dishes on the eve of Spring Festival. Meanwhile, the Chinese Culture Center in Islamabad has also done a lot to promote authentic Chinese culinary habits and eating techniques, especially the usage of chopsticks.
Promotion of culture through culinary ways in the two brotherly countries is proving the ‘Belt and Road’ initiative as impactful beyond trade and investment. This can be seen in China as well, where a number of Pakistani restaurants can now be found in major Chinese cities, and some as far north-west as Urumqi.
If you are in Islamabad, here are some restaurants you could visit: Tandoori Restaurant, Wang Fu in Blue Area, Chinatown Restaurant in F-8/4, Golden Dragon in F-7/3, Dynasty Chinese Restaurant in Islamabad Marriott, Kim Mun Chinese Restaurant in Jinnah Super, Wild Rice Restaurant in Khayaban-e-Suharwardy, Xinhua restaurant in Margalla Road, F series, Little Asia in F-6, Seres Chinese Restaurant in F-8/3, Heng Chang in F-7/2, EAT in F-7 Markaz, Yogi Haus in Shakar Pariyan, Tandoori Restaurant in F-10 and G-9, Doka Mocca in G-8 Markaz, The Emperor’s Table in F-7 Markaz, and Fijji’s Grill in Blue Area.