Written by: Gohar Javed
Posted on: October 05, 2018 | 
| 中文
Chikachino, Islamabad
You get off work; you pick up your wife from her workplace and head home. But you’ve both had a long gruelling day and are dying for a soothingly warm cup of ‘chai.’ As luck would have it, there’s a perfect place in the heart of Islamabad, with the best tea one can ask for.
Chikachino is a 24-hour open eatery, located in the Jinnah Super Market (F-7 Markaz). Established in 2017, by the owners of Tuscany Courtyard, Chikachino offers an open-air, roadside experience, which is ideal for family evenings, chit chats and unplanned hangouts with friends. With the cosy ambiance of your patio at home, and sweet little lights hung over your head, the atmosphere is ideal for autumn and winter evenings. On arrival, you are greeted by a couple of polite staff members, who will inform you that you have to wait for about 20 minutes. The number of visitors is proof of just how popular the place has become.
Their menu covers all sorts of snacks, ranging from the tangy Paapri Chaat to the syrupy Ras Gullay. From among the Special Paapri Chaat, Bhel Puri and Dahi Bhalle, the Paapri Chaat is my absolute favorite. It has the perfect balance of salt and spice. They serve it with a special imli and alu-bukhara chutney, which adds to the flavour exponentially. The Bhel Puri is also great but the Dahi Bhalle are slightly bland, and don’t meet expectations.
Moving on to the Behari Chicken Paratha, Aloo Paratha and the Hyderabadi Chilli Cheese Paratha, which I have always found to be quite delightful. They have everything you expect from a paratha; heavy on the tongue but light on the stomach, just like my mother makes them at home. Cooked to the perfect golden-brown colour, with the right amount of crispiness and a truly delicious filling, their samosas and pakoras are also must-haves. I’m not a big fan of their buns though, which aren’t very soft and have unappetizing dry fillings, thus not worth the money. Perhaps the most disappointing are the Liberty Gol Gappay, which consist of nothing more than bland boiled potatoes and chickpeas. In desserts, however, while the Shahi Tukray and Jalebi seem to be popular choices, I’ve only tried the Gulab Jamun, which came right out of the sugary hot syrup, and melted effortlessly in my mouth.
Lastly, let’s talk about the showstopper, their tea. They have 7 different kinds of tea but somehow, I always opt for the classic Chikachino Chai. Boiled to the perfect khaki colour, it’s a strong blend of tea leaves and milk, with a hint of saunf. They serve it in a small transparent glass, which makes it all the more attractive. The colour, the aroma, the flavour; everything about this chai is so perfect, that your fatigue vanishes away.
On average, it costs about 400 to 500 rupees per person to snack at Chikachino. Though the open-air setting is perfect for a relaxing evening, it’s not the best place for adverse weather conditions. If you are looking for a private dinner with your significant other, Chikachino won’t work for you, and you definitely don’t want to visit if you mind smokers. However, the best thing about the café remains the truly home-made flavour of their food, and they do total justice to the claim of ‘Handcrafted teas and eats.’
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