Honestly this place is such a trek for us to get to but worth it in every sense for Pakistani breakfast aka nashta / ناشتہ.

Right at the front you’ve got the mithai, samosas and cakes. But at the back is where the real deal is (on the weekends).

No nihari or paya here. Strictly halwa poori / حلوہ پوری.

But that they do so well. Like aasli nashta (real breakfast). Like you would in Pakistan.

Both portions and prices are spot on.

Chana / چنا

You can tell it’s been cooked over a slow flame for hours. Cooked in a large pateelay (pan) as big as me (I am very big). Not very deep but definitely wide.

Poori in one hand. Lassi in another.

Simple pleasures.

Aloo Bhaji / آلو کی بھجیا

Decent tasting but a bit too watery for my liking.

Achar / اچار

The sourness cuts across the heaviness from the chana and poori

Poori / پوری

Freshly made to order. Not too oily. A bit of elasticity to it. Perfect to break and scoop the chana with.

Warm and crispy loveliness.

Pathoora / بھٹورا‎

A large version of the poori. Got out of a sheer sense of novelty. Nice enough.

Makkhaniya Meethi Lassi / لسی میٹھی مکھن

Always always always a fan of the meethi (sweet) lassi. With added makkhan (butter) for that authenticity.

Happiness is possible.

Kashmiri Chai / کشمیری چائے

Wish it wasn’t served in a styrofoam cup. Proper cup makes such a difference.

Halwa / حلوہ w/ Khoya / کھو یا

More chana. Less halwa. That’s my breakdown. But when khoya is involved I can always have a bit more.

Based on places I’ve tried repeatedly in Hendon, Hounslow and elsewhere this does the best halwa poori / حلوہ پوری.

Al Kareem, 731 Romford Road, London, E12 5AW