New Pakistani Restaurant Opens in Beijing as Culinary Ties Between the Two Nations Deepen

BEIJING, Jul 05 (APP):A new Pakistani restaurant opened in Beijing on Sunday, with Pakistan’s Ambassador to China, Khalil Hashmi, attending the opening ceremony and taking part in a traditional ribbon-cutting.

Speaking to the media, Hashmi described Pakistani cuisine as a bridge between the peoples of Pakistan and China, noting that food remains one of the most direct and enduring forms of cultural exchange. He said the growing presence of Pakistani cuisine in the Chinese capital reflects the warmth of bilateral ties and increasing interest among Chinese diners in South Asian flavours.

The opening reflects a broader trend. Beijing is now home to a growing number of Pakistani restaurants serving dishes such as Karachi-style biryani, Lahori karahi, freshly baked naan and chapli kebabs. What was once a cuisine largely catering to Pakistani students, traders and embassy staff has gradually attracted more local diners, aided by social media food reviews and growing people-to-people exchanges under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, CEN reported.

Zafran’s owner, Muhammad Saeed, said the menu emphasizes authentic recipes and halal certified ingredients, with spices sourced directly from Pakistan. “Our goal is simple to serve the same food we grew up with at home, without shortcuts,” he said. “Beijing has embraced Pakistani flavors, and Zafran is our way of saying thank you.”

Among the guests was Hao Yuejiao, a Chinese visitor attending the event. She said she enjoyed the biryani and karahi, describing the flavours as bold but balanced.

“Pakistani food feels warm and generous,” she said. “I would like to bring my friends to try it.”

Guests at the ceremony included members of Beijing’s Pakistani community, Chinese business representatives and food industry figures. A selection of traditional Pakistani dishes was served following the ribbon-cutting.

The opening comes as Pakistan and China continue to deepen engagement in trade, culture and tourism, with cuisine increasingly becoming an accessible channel for people-to-people exchange.