Gujarat is famous for its homegrown delectable varieties. A Gujarati Thali is a full plate meal consisting of a platter of Gujarati assorted delicacies served as lunch or dinner. Over the years the traditional Gujarati Thali has travelled beyond the boundaries with people of different origins tastefully consuming Gujarati food in foreign countries. To have a restaurant serving Gujarati Thali may not be a big surprise in cities with a sizable Indian Gujarati diaspora. But, how will you feel if while roaming on the streets of Karachi, you come across a restaurant signage of Gujarati Thali?
According to Rajdhani Restaurant Manager Jerome Earnest, "our Rajdhani restaurant located in Karachi's Clifton area is the only restaurant in Pakistan that serves a Gujarati Thali. The restaurant was started in 2013 by Mohammad Gangani who hails from Kutch. All Gujarati recipes are given by him, which is taught to local chefs, who in turn serve Gujarati food with the exact native taste. While Karachi has a seizable Gujarati population, the restaurant receives guests from all over the world. Many Indian and Pakistani celebrities have also visited here and enjoyed the food at this restaurant which is based at one of the most affluent locations in the city."
"Indian actor Om Puri who died in 2017 visited the restaurant during his Pakistan visit exactly one month before his death. He loved the food so much that he spent considerable time here and also clicked pictures with the staff." According to Jerome, "while all delicacies are loved by people, our Rava Dhokla and Gujarati Kadhi are the most popular among foodies. We also serve Rajasthani food at the restaurant."
According to Mohammad Gangani who descended from Gujarat's Kutch to Karachi in 1971, having lived in Gujarat, I love the Gujarati food. Hence, I started this restaurant in 2013 as I was sure that people will also love this Gujarati cuisine.
Rajdhani restaurant serves a Gujarati Thali at (PKR) Pakistani Rupees 1000 + 130 (taxes). People literally line up for their turn of Thali here. The restaurant serves Thali to an average 100 people daily.
Alina Maniar who belongs to an elite Muslim Gujarati family in Karachi, says "we have a big Gujarati community here. We regularly eat Gujarati food at home, but there is no restaurant where we can eat native Gujarati varieties. Rajdhani is the only restaurant that serves Gujarati cuisine and it is indeed a privilege for Gujaratis here to enjoy the delicacies here."
Located in the most upscale Clifton area of Karachi, the restaurant opens at 12:30 am and closes at 11:30 pm. Apart from the different Gujarati varieties in the Thali, it also provides the Thali eaters with Gujarati Aachar, Sambharo, Kachumbar, Chhas and different Chutneys.
