Nihari and Nalli Nihari
Lamb shank and bone marrow, slow cooked for hours into a deep, spiced gravy. A chef's special, and one of the dishes our guests come back for most.
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A dish built for both sides of the border
Nihari began as a breakfast stew in the old Mughal kitchens, cooked through the night and served at dawn. Today it is loved in Delhi, Lucknow, Karachi and Lahore alike, and each city will tell you theirs is the real one.
Chef Athia designed her nihari so that guests from India and from Pakistan would both taste it and recognize home. That is a big part of why Khan's Kitchen has no sign out front calling it an Indian or a Pakistani restaurant. The food does the talking, and the nihari usually wins the argument.
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Nalli Nihari
Nalli is the marrow bone. Our Nalli Nihari is made with lamb shank and the marrow inside it, slow cooked for hours until the meat comes away from the bone with a spoon and the marrow melts into the gravy. It is marked as a chef's special on our menu.
Beef Nihari
Beef shank, slow cooked in a rich, spiced gravy. It is a little heartier than the lamb, and it is the version many guests from Karachi and Lahore grew up on.
How to eat it
Tear a hot naan and use it as your spoon. Nihari is traditionally finished with fresh ginger, green chilli, cilantro and a squeeze of lemon. If you want more heat, ask, and if you want it gentler, ask for mild.
Because it cooks for hours, Nalli Nihari is prepared in limited quantities nightly, like all our chef's specials. If you are coming specifically for it, call ahead or order early for pickup.
Questions about nihari and nalli nihari
What is Nalli Nihari?
Nalli Nihari is nihari made with lamb shank and the bone marrow inside it, slow cooked for hours in a spiced gravy. Nalli means marrow bone.
Is nihari Indian or Pakistani?
Both. Nihari comes from the Mughal kitchens of Delhi and Lucknow and is just as much a part of Karachi and Lahore. Chef Athia's version is designed to taste like home to guests from either side.
Is Nalli Nihari available every day?
Nalli Nihari is a chef's special, prepared in limited quantities nightly. Call ahead or order early for pickup if you are coming for it.
What goes well with nihari?
A hot naan. Curries are also served with basmati rice.