If you’re a dumpling lover in Karachi or Islamabad, now is the ideal time to check out Mariyah’s Den, Pakistan’s first café exclusively focused on dumplings. While dishes like fried rice, chow mein, and chicken Manchurian have been staples in Pakistani cuisine, the appeal of dumplings—an international favorite—has been on the rise. This growing interest motivated founder and chef Maria Mushtaq to start Mariyah’s Den as a delivery service for ready-to-cook frozen dumplings from her home in 2020, during the pandemic when many were eager to try new culinary experiences.
Mushtaq shared in a recent interview with Arab News that her husband suggested opening a café, praising her unique approach to steaming and serving dumplings in sauce. The first location of Mariyah’s Den opened in Karachi in November 2021, and now, just three years later, there are additional outlets in Karachi and Islamabad.
The café features nine types of dumplings, including beef, chicken, lamb, prawn, a prawn-chicken mix, vegetarian, mushroom, and a sweet chocolate-filled option. While some were surprised by her choice to center the café around a single dish, Mushtaq pointed out that Karachi has specific spots for particular foods, like nihari and bun kebab, making dumplings a natural addition.
Since opening, the café has thrived. Mushtaq noted that although dumplings weren’t widely popular previously, they’ve now become a beloved snack. She has tailored traditional Chinese flavors to better suit Pakistani preferences, serving dumplings with sauce rather than on the side.
“Dumplings have a history spanning over 2,000 years and are found in various cultures, each adapting them to local tastes,” she explained, citing mamtus from the mountainous regions of Pakistan. Customers often describe dumplings as the “perfect comfort food,” rich in carbohydrates and proteins, and convenient for quick eating.
Visitor Mohammad Shams commented on the grab-and-go appeal of dumplings. Food critic Ahmer Naqvi echoed this sentiment, likening dumplings to samosas in their familiarity and noting how globalization has boosted the popularity of Chinese-style dumplings, making them well-suited for contemporary lifestyles.
Looking to the future, Mushtaq intends to broaden the menu while staying true to the café’s Chinese roots. “We are gradually adding dishes like chilly noodles and a soup bowl featuring noodles and chicken curry. Our core focus will remain on dumplings, as we experiment with healthy, quick food options,” she said.
