Must-Try Foods In Katpana Desert (Skardu) For Tourists 2026 - 2027

Food History of Katpana Desert, Skardu, Pakistan

The Katpana Desert, also known as the "Cold Desert," is situated in Skardu, Pakistan. The region has a unique and rich culinary history, influenced by the diverse ethnic groups that inhabit the Gilgit-Baltistan area including Tibetan, Central Asian, and South Asian heritage. Local diets have traditionally been influenced by the harsh, cold climate and typically consist of foods that are high in energy and help to withstand the cold temperatures of the desert and mountainous regions.

Many of the dishes in this area are based on grains like wheat, barley, and buckwheat, as well as locally grown vegetables and fruits. Meat (excluding cow meat) such as chicken, mutton, and yak have also been significant as part of the diet, although it's important to note that there are vegetarian options as well. A cuisine that stands out in Skardu is heavily imbued with the flavors of spices, herbs, and techniques that have traversed through the Silk Road.

Must Try Top 10 Food Dishes in Katpana Desert, Skardu, Pakistan

1. Skardu Bread (Khambir) – Veg: A thick, crusty local brown bread typically served with butter or jam for breakfast.
2. Chap Shoro – Non-Veg: Often referred to as the Hunza pie, it is a meat-filled turnover made with a whole wheat crust, usually filled with minced yak or other halal meats mixed with onions and local spices.
3. Balti Curry – Non-Veg: A fragrant curry prepared with chicken or mutton, cooked in a multitude of spices, tomatoes, and often served with rice or bread.
4. Butter Tea (Gur Gur Chai) – Veg: A traditional salty tea made from green tea, butter, milk, and salt.
5. Apricot Cake – Veg: A delicious dessert made using the locally grown apricots, which are abundant and famously delicious in Skardu.
6. Herbed Yak Cheese – Veg: A robust, flavorful cheese made from yak milk, sometimes enjoyed with local herbs.
7. Thukpa – Non-Veg: A Tibetan noodle soup that includes vegetables and either yak or mutton, flavored with local herbs and spices.
8. Daylong – Veg: A vegetarian dish made with various local vegetables and greens, sometimes with added paneer (cheese).
9. Mamtu – Non-Veg: Steamed dumplings stuffed with minced meat, onions, and flavored with South Asian spices.
10. Mulberry Juice – Veg: A refreshing beverage made from the fresh mulberries found in the region.

Top Famous Restaurants in Katpana Desert, Skardu, Pakistan

• Concordia II Restaurant
  Address: Airport Road, Skardu
  Famous Food: Chicken Balti Curry – Non-Veg
• Shangri-La Resort Restaurant
  Address: Lower Kachura Lake, Skardu
  Famous Food: Margarine trout – Non-Veg (Trout Fish)
• Mountain Lodge Skardu
  Address: Sadpara Road, Skardu
  Famous Food: Vegetable Thukpa – Veg
• Dewane Khas Skardu
  Address: Hussainabad Road, Skardu
  Famous Food: Skardu-style Yak Karahi – Non-Veg (excluding cow meat)
• Karakuram Cafe & Restaurant
  Address: Main Bazaar, Skardu
  Famous Food: Honey-soaked Chap Shoro – Non-Veg

These establishments are known for their local cuisine offerings tailored to provide visitors with authentic and mouth-watering tastes of Skardu, allowing tourists to deeply experience the culinary delights of the region. Many of the dishes respect Islamic dietary laws and offer both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options to cater to diverse preferences.