Bannu Beef Pulao fever grips Twin Cities

ISLAMABAD, Sep 27 (APP):Bannu Beef Pulao has become the new food obsession in the twin cities, with steaming plates of aromatic rice topped with tender beef shank going viral on Instagram and TikTok.

From Commercial Market to Bahria Town and I-8 to Saddar, new outlets are popping up every week and staying packed till late night, drawing crowds for its oily rice, slow-cooked beef and signature green chutney.

The dish, which originated from Bannu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has now become a nationwide food trend, with franchises expanding rapidly across Rawalpindi, Islamabad and other major cities.

Imran Khan, owner of Bannu Beef Pulao in I-8 said they started three months ago with 30 kg and now sell 120 kg daily that finishes by 11 pm, adding that people are crazy for the original Bannu taste and their beef comes daily from Tarnol mandi.                                       He said their main branch is in Bannu and they brought the same recipe to Rawalpindi where a full plate of half kg is Rs. 650, with a two-hour wait on weekends.

People have strong craving for the original Bannu taste, travelling long distances and waiting in long queues to get a serving fresh from the deg, with many buyers saying that despite the high prices and mushroom growth of franchises, nothing matches the authentic flavour that comes straight from Bannu,he stated.

 Hamza Ahmed in I-8 said he tried it after TikTok hype and found the rice full of flavour and the beef so soft it falls off the bone, much better than regular chicken pulao.

He  said his kids love it and while the price is a bit high, one plate is enough for two.

He further told that the taste is authentic and the meat is exceptionally tender saying that the price is on the higher side at Rs 1200 per kilogram compared to what they have heard about Bannu.

Adeel, a student from Saddar, said now it has become their routine after friends recommended it and the green raita  make it special.

 “We travelled specifically to try the famous Bannu Beef Pulao. While the flavour was good, the quantity served in a half plate was less than expected for the price charged, he commented.