Bundoo Khan: How one restaurant parlayed barbeque into a Karachi landmark

Special Bundoo Khan: How one restaurant parlayed barbeque into a Karachi landmark
In this photograph taken on November 25, 2024, people eat their meals at the Bundoo Khan Restaurant in Karachi. (AN Photo)
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Updated 04 December 2024
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Bundoo Khan: How one restaurant parlayed barbeque into a Karachi landmark

Bundoo Khan: How one restaurant parlayed barbeque into a Karachi landmark
  • Founded in 1948, Bundoo Khan Restaurant is a mainstay for politicians, celebrities, and residents of the port city
  • Eatery first gained prominence when its barbeque caught the eye of ex-president Ayub Khan at a local exhibition

KARACHI: For over seven decades, the Bundoo Khan Restaurant has been a culinary landmark in the Pakistani port city of Karachi, delighting generations of food lovers with its signature kebabs, sizzling chicken tikkas and crunchy parathas.
Founded in 1948 by Al Hajj Bundoo Khan, a migrant from Meerut in present day India, the restaurant began as a humble barbecue stall on Karachi’s MA Jinnah Road, then known as Bandar Road, using family recipes passed down from a maternal uncle.
While the eatery was a hit from the beginning, it gained visibility when its innovative approach to grilling and marinating caught the eye of General Ayub Khan, who served as the president of Pakistan from 1958 until his resignation in 1969. Becoming a favorite of the president turned the small eatery into the talk of the town, and it began to draw large crowds from all walks of life.
“My father can be called the founder of barbecue [in Karachi],” Akber Bundoo Khan, the founder’s 62-year-old son, told Arab News. 
“No one knew how to make tikka [like him], how kebabs were made, how parathas were made or how halwa was made.”
Indeed, barbeque has become synonymous with the Bundoo Khan name in Karachi, cementing its reputation as a must-visit destination for the city’s residents and a gathering place for politicians, government officials, actors and singers.
“This brand has been around for 76 years,” said Waqar Mehmood, Bundoo Khan’s grandson who oversees a branch in the city’s Sindhi Muslim area.
“When we first set up an exhibition [during the first few decades], the first person to visit was [Pakistan’s former president] Ayub Khan who gave us the first prize and a gold medal for our barbecue.”
Mehmood spoke about visits to the restaurant by General Ayub Khan’s family, as well as Pakistan’s former first lady Ranaa Liaquat Ali Khan, ex-premier Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and the now jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Legendary Pakistani actors like Muhammad Ali, Zeba and Waheed Murad were also loyal patrons and iconic singer Noor Jehan continued to request Bundoo Khan’s food until her last days before she passed away in 2000.
“Every day, I would personally take her double-spiced chicken tikka and six kebabs to the hospital,” he said.
The restaurant’s influence has also been immortalized in Pakistani music, with songs like Ahmed Rushdi’s 1954 hit “Bandar Road Se Keamari” and Mehdi Hassan’s 1977 track “Makhan Jesi Larki,” both mentioning the eatery.
Pakistani TV and film actor Behroze Sabzwari recalled childhood memories of visiting the original branch on MA Jinnah Road and meeting the restaurant’s founder, who passed away in 1987 at the age of 105.
“I lived and grew up in the area right behind the Bundoo Khan [Restaurant] in Jacob Line,” he told Arab News. “It wasn’t much, but you could get tikka for just 10 or 15 rupees [$0.05] and everything else as well. And believe me, the taste from those days of that halwa, that tikka, those kebabs, that paratha still lingers with me to this day.”
Asad Sohail, an engineer and regular customer, also recalled visiting Bundoo Khan as a child with his father and grandfather, saying dinner at the restaurant was a must after a night out at the movies.
“We used to come here with my grandfather, wearing shorts, when we were little. Then, as kids, we came with our father,” he said.
“Their barbecue, I haven’t tasted anything like it anywhere in Pakistan. It’s truly unique. Their kebabs are so tender, the marination is perfect, and the tikka, what can I say? It’s completely different from anything else.”
Today, while the restaurant keeps attracting new customers at all its branches in Karachi and across Pakistan as well as in Dubai and Madinah, the first branch on MA Jinnah Road has seen a decline in clients in recent years due to a rise in crime in the area. 
Still, Akber Bundoo Khan’s son insists the original location will never shut down.
“This is our asset,” he said. “The flavor that started here has spread all over the world. It’s because of this taste that we’re famous ... Our identity, our entire legacy, has been built from here.”


Jordanian artist aims to ‘inspire and heal’ through her book

Jordanian artist aims to ‘inspire and heal’ through her book
Updated 05 February 2025
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Jordanian artist aims to ‘inspire and heal’ through her book

Jordanian artist aims to ‘inspire and heal’ through her book
  • Aida Murad hopes that she can help people to feel seen through life lessons and navigate the different emotions that humans experience
  • Murad: In the book, you would find harder emotions like sadness and confusion and being lost, and also happier ones, and how to navigate both

RIYADH: Jordanian-American impact artist Aida Murad hosted an exhibition in Riyadh’s St. Regis on Wednesday, commemorating the launch of her new book, “Life Is a Miracle.”

Through the book, Murad told Arab News, “I want them to feel seen. I think that my purpose in life is to help people feel seen, heard and loved. I think because I wanted that the most, and there is something so beautiful when a human sees you and loves you, even when they see you fully.”

She hopes that she can help people to feel seen through life lessons and navigate the different emotions that humans experience.

“In the book, you would find harder emotions like sadness and confusion and being lost, and also happier ones, and how to navigate both. As Arabs, I don’t think we do a good job of talking about the spectrum of emotions,” she said.

Through her art and her book, Murad hopes to inspire readers to appreciate and celebrate the smallest of miracles in life, such as breathing.

“The title, ‘Life is a Miracle,’ came to me because I find that people, including my past self, would wait until big things happened in our lives to be like, ‘Wow, this is a miracle’ or ‘Wow, this is beautiful.’

“I started realizing that to train myself to be happier, whole, human and more content, I started training myself to notice the small miracles,” she said.

“Just by me waking up, you know how many miracles have happened, you know how many trillions of cells are moving,” Murad said.

The book has been five years in the making: “The real-time that it took was the courage. I feel that the content could have been ready years ago, but I think it’s the courage to take a step out and say, ‘This is me.’”

Murad stressed the importance of courage when it came to publishing the book: “You just have to trust and share.”

The book has sections titled “key messages” that serve as reminders of important life lessons.

She encourages readers to open to a random page, find their message of the day, or flip through until they connect to a message.

“I decided to compile my pieces into the ones that are ready to be shared with the world and their stories and a key life message because I don’t want people just to be passive; I want them to be involved, and that is why I created the creative activity,” she said.

Along with the launch of her book, Murad is co-hosting an art exhibition at St. Regis Riyadh, which she described as her “dream partner.”

The exhibition that opened on Wednesday features 30 paintings with a common theme of “accepting your higher mission on Earth.

“It’s about connecting with your inner purpose and accepting it,” the artist said.

Each of her pieces comes with lessons and themes that help people to unlock their mission in life through greater understanding.

Murad underlined that her aim through the book and her art was to heal, inspire and help people be seen.

Originally from Jordan, Murad has lived in US cities such as New York, Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles. She has called Riyadh home for more than a year.

Speaking about her year living in Saudi Arabia, Murad said: “The people are the kindest people I have ever met. I do not want to be anywhere else in the world other than here. The land inspires me, the energy inspires me, everything, and I am grateful to be here.”


Miss Universe 2024 walks for Michael Cinco at Dubai Fashion Week

Miss Universe 2024 walks for Michael Cinco at Dubai Fashion Week
Updated 05 February 2025
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Miss Universe 2024 walks for Michael Cinco at Dubai Fashion Week

Miss Universe 2024 walks for Michael Cinco at Dubai Fashion Week

DUBAI: Miss Universe 2024 Victoria Kjær Theilvig took to the runway for Dubai-based Filipino designer Michael Cinco on day four of Dubai Fashion Week (DFW). 

Theilvig closed the show wearing a red gown – with a strapless, sweetheart neckline – that featured intricate sequin embellishments. 

Cinco’s collection showcased detailed craftsmanship and dramatic silhouettes. (Supplied)

The dress included a dramatic, structured peplum detail at the waist over a fitted silhouette. The look was completed with a floor-length, flowing train. 

Cinco’s collection showcased detailed craftsmanship and dramatic silhouettes, reinforcing his signature aesthetic that has been touted by celebrities including Mariah Carey, Sofia Vergara and Aishwarya Rai, among others.

Tuesday showcased a diverse lineup of brands, including Viva Vox, Lama Jouni, CHOICE, and Riva, which all brought bold styles, modern femininity and refined elegance to the runway.

Russian brand Viva Vox’s creative director Oleg Ovsiyov unveiled an Autumn/Winter 2025-26 collection. (Supplied)

Russian brand Viva Vox’s creative director Oleg Ovsiyov unveiled an Autumn/Winter 2025-26 collection characterized by striking silhouettes, vibrant colors, and experimental fabric choices, reflecting the brand’s avant-garde identity.

Lebanese designer Jouni blended luxury and streetwear in a collection featuring muted tones, waist-enhancing separates, and structured dresses. The designs emphasized versatility and practicality, offering a balance of comfort and sophistication.

Dubai-based brand CHOICE channelled the 1970s for its Spring/Summer 2025 line, incorporating linen, cotton, tweeds, chiffons and silks. The collection featured feminine silhouettes with dramatic draping, bold accessories and a palette of caramel, bronze and desert sand-like hues. Metallic fringes, sequins and textured details added depth, while structured trench coats and waist-cinching designs completed the lineup.

Riva presented a collection of flowing kaftans, flattering silhouettes, and intricate embroidery. Lightweight fabrics like linen and cotton, paired with a soft color palette, offered versatile designs suited for formal and relaxed settings.

Theilvig won the Miss Universe crown in November. The dancer, entrepreneur and animal rights activist beat out more than 120 contestants in the pageant’s 73rd edition held in Mexico City. 

“I have been waiting for my whole life for this moment,” she said during the swimsuit round of the pageant.

“No matter where you come from, no matter your past, you can always choose to turn it into your strengths,” she also said on the Miss Universe stage at the time. 


French artist Patrick Tresset brings robotic art to ‘Ai or Nay?’ exhibition in Qatar

French artist Patrick Tresset brings robotic art to ‘Ai or Nay?’ exhibition in Qatar
Updated 05 February 2025
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French artist Patrick Tresset brings robotic art to ‘Ai or Nay?’ exhibition in Qatar

French artist Patrick Tresset brings robotic art to ‘Ai or Nay?’ exhibition in Qatar

DOHA: Brussels-based French artist Patrick Tresset, known for integrating robotics into his art, is presenting a thought-provoking installation called “Time to Read,” at the exhibition “Ai or Nay? Artificial vs. Intelligent” in Qatar.

The exhibition, taking place at the Media Majlis Museum at Northwestern University until May 15, examines the relationship between artificial intelligence and human creativity through the works of more than 20 regional and international artists.

“Time to Read” invites visitors to sit and read a book for 30 minutes while two robotic arms draw their likenesses. The resulting portraits become part of a global collection which now includes over 50,000 drawings created by similar installations worldwide. 

“The idea came from a lunch I had with a gallery director in Paris,” Tresset told Arab News. “We were talking about reading, social media and how we don’t have the attention anymore. After the lunch, I thought, ‘I should do a piece about that’.”

Tresset’s career took a significant turn when he transitioned from traditional painting to robotics after experiencing a creative block.

“I used to be a painter, but at some point I lost my way. Everything I did didn’t feel right anymore,” he explained. “Because I had a computer when I was very young, I had the intuition I could do something with computational systems, so I switched to that.”

His work with robotics led to installations like “Time to Read” that incorporate elements of performance and audience interaction.

“I realized the theatrical potential, and that is why I started to exhibit those types of installations where the robots are actors. It is a performance. It is an art installation. It is a drawing,” he said. 

Discussing the implications of technology in the creative field, Tresset said: “A pen is a technology, and so is a hammer — you can use them constructively or destructively.”

With “Time to Read,” he added, he wanted to show how technology can help us reflect, reconnect, and slow down.


Diriyah Storytelling Festival breathes new life into Saudi Arabia’s literary heritage

Diriyah Storytelling Festival breathes new life into Saudi Arabia’s literary heritage
Updated 05 February 2025
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Diriyah Storytelling Festival breathes new life into Saudi Arabia’s literary heritage

Diriyah Storytelling Festival breathes new life into Saudi Arabia’s literary heritage
  • Event offers deep dive into Kingdom’s rich tradition
  • Locals, visitors explore Saudi literature

RIYADH: The Diriyah Storytelling Festival brings together literary enthusiasts, publishers, and celebrated authors and provides a deep dive into Saudi Arabia’s rich storytelling traditions and evolving literary landscape.

The event, which lasts until Feb. 8, features panel discussions, book signings, live performances, and interactive experiences.

The festival is attracting a diverse audience, including international visitors who engage with Saudi authors to explore locally published books.

One of the standout sessions, “The Roots of the Tale,” featured renowned Saudi novelist and journalist Badryah Al-Bishr, who spoke about the transformation of storytelling into modern literature.

Al-Bishr said: “My participation was all about tracing the wisdom of storytelling to the structure of novels. Since I studied folk tales in my master’s degree while also writing novels, I explored how traditional narratives evolved before written literature.

“Societies have always needed this literary and cultural influence — it serves deep and indirect functions, whether in raising children, comforting sorrowful hearts, or inspiring values and ideals.

“This is what we now call ‘soft power.’ Storytelling has always shaped minds, transferring across cultures like the tale of ‘Cinderella,’ which exists in Russia, Europe, and even Najd.”

A key aspect of the festival is its focus on showcasing Saudi literature to international visitors, offering translations and accessible editions of local works.

Modi Al-Dossari, from the Tashkeel Publishing House, noted the growing interest from foreign attendees, and added: “We’re working on something big here at the festival.

“The visitors are quite diverse, including many foreigners eager to learn about our culture.

“At Tashkeel we have Saudi books and stories translated into English, and they are among our bestsellers. It’s amazing to see our culture being shared in such a smooth and accessible way.”

The availability of translated Saudi literature has helped bridge the gap between local storytelling and a global readership, highlighting the richness of Saudi narratives and their universal appeal.

Beyond book discussions, the Diriyah Storytelling Festival provides visitors with a fully immersive cultural experience, allowing them to explore the historic and artistic depth of Diriyah.

Entry to the festival costs SR40 ($10.66) per person, which includes access to all three locations — Bujairi Terrace, Bab Samhan Hotel, and Al-Zuhayra — as well as shuttle transportation between the venues and parking areas.

The festival also features restaurants, cafes, and boutique shops, making it an ideal destination for both literary and cultural exploration.

Hind Mohammed, who was attending, said: “I loved visiting Diriyah, especially Bujairi Terrace. It’s such a beautiful and enriching experience, with a vibrant atmosphere, and fantastic cafes, restaurants, and children’s play areas.”

Visitors can witness the breathtaking sunset over Diriyah’s landscape — and see a combination of golden light, traditional architecture and peaceful surroundings creating a spectacular and serene experience.

Saudi Arabia’s literary scene has witnessed remarkable growth in recent years, with increasing global recognition for local authors and their works. Events like the Diriyah Storytelling Festival contribute to this transformation by providing a platform for dialogue, creativity, and cultural exchange.


Designers offer up day-to-evening wear at Dubai Fashion Week

Designers offer up day-to-evening wear at Dubai Fashion Week
Updated 04 February 2025
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Designers offer up day-to-evening wear at Dubai Fashion Week

Designers offer up day-to-evening wear at Dubai Fashion Week

DUBAI: Day three of Dubai Fashion Week saw presentations by fashion label BLSSD, New York-based British Iraqi designer Tara Babylon, Dubai-based Lebanese designer Dima Ayad and a multi-designer showcase curated by department store Etoile La Boutique.

Rawdah Mohamed walked the runway for Dima Ayad. (Supplied)

Somali Norwegian model Rawdah Mohamed walked the runway for Ayad, who stayed true to her brand’s founding ethos and offered up chic looks for a diverse range of body shapes. Houndstooth patterns were employed in various hues across the collection, while winter-appropriate fabrics and evening wear options in rippled gold also made an appearance.

Babylon took over the runway with her Autumn/Winter 2025 collection titled “Princess of Thieves.” The designer brought a warm and tropical vibe to the winter collection with Middle Eastern-inspired palm tree prints and earthy green tones. Weaving, printing and crochet techniques were used along with recycled cotton tapestry to create stylish winter pieces.

(Supplied)

The Central Saint Martins and Parsons-educated designer is known for the performance-like aspect of her shows, and Monday night’s showcase in Dubai was no different. Models strode down the runway in a series of artfully created balaclavas that matched the ensembles.

(Supplied)

Meanwhile, Etoile La Boutique’s invite-only showcase was a curated multi-designer collection titled “Twilight to Midnight.” The playful showcase offered up a sunshine yellow taffeta dress alongside a sequined mini-skirt and expertly cut leopard-print trench coat.

UAE-born and bred streetwear and ready-to-wear label BLSSD showcased its signature experimental styles in seasonal colours — a floor-grazing blazer paired with slouchy, masculine trousers was a particular draw at the show.