Karachi street food ranks near the very top of my list of all the reasons why I’d recommend someone to visit Pakistan.

There are so many incredible things to eat, exploring every option could easily take a lifetime.

When you are in such a vibrant place as Karachi, I love how you can find both those comforting tastes you’re hungry for, while also finding ingenuity among tradition as well.

Masha Allah is a great restaurant in Karachi, faithfully serving customers their version of ‘kata-kat‘ chopped meat – in this article I will share all the details with you.

Electric and charged setting for a real street food feast, Karachi style
Few places but Karachi can say ‘Street Food’ any better than this scene here.

Fish Kata-Kat at Masha Allah

Masha Allah is a local Karachi street food restaurant serving their version of the dish with the onomatopoeic name – ‘Kata-Kat.’

The dings and clangs of the chef’s chopping movements are the main reason for why this food has such a name, but there’s actually some fun disagreement whether its ‘tak-a-tak,’ or ‘kata-kat.’

What’s more important though, is that kata-kat traditionally (famously*) makes use of only leftover parts – those bits of meat that are not really needed for any other recipe (but can also easily be just as tasty).

Fish, Instead of Cow or Goat

At Masha Allah, using fish filets for their recipe instead of cow or goat parts, provides a wonderfully unique set of flavor possibilities. This was so incredibly tasty that we didn’t actually take time to search out the original,* so, while I can’t comment personally, I can definitely say that this fish is food you should visit Karachi just to try.

If you haven’t seen the video yet, you can use this link here (YouTube), it will jump to the section where we visit the Masha Allah Restaurant.

*Note: The more well-known version of kata-kat is full of offal – usually brains, testicles, and heart, of either cow or goat.

The original fish cart is still parked (and used) in front of Masha Allah restaurant
They are still serving from the original push-cart used when this dish began in 1960

The 1.5 Meter-wide Griddle

Making your own kata-kat at home might only require a frying pan.

However – when you’re wanting to serve a room so full of customers that even the seating is standing-room-only, you may need something a bit larger.

The restaurant itself is a small, elevated, almost bunker-like room, and it lies hidden behind their cooking-cart, one that is still in service since fish kata-kat’s first creation.

A 1.5 meter-wide giant of a griddle fills almost the entire entrance to the restaurant. Sitting directly on top of the food cart, a four-wheeled wooden pedestal for all to see, its fun to watch the chef whipping up one plate after another of chopped fish delight.

Fish Kata-Kat at Masha Allah in Karachi
The pings and clangs that give Kata-kat (or Tak-a-tak) its name

The Original Fish Kata-kat Cart

Ordering a plate of fish isn’t difficult, but you may have to be ready to bump a few elbows.

The chef is cooking almost constantly, choosing fish filets off of a mound of fish that’s been sort of built onto the side of the hot-plate itself. The fish are being fried first in an inner kitchen, and then moved out to restock the chef in front who is the one actually making them into your meal.

He never quite finishes a batch of fish before he’s already knocking over another dozen filets onto the sizzler. Its a smooth rotation of splashes of oil, sifting huge handfuls of red onions, garlic, and cilantro across the hot plate, and then seeding all of it with thoroughly precise unmeasured handfuls of dry masala spices.

Chopping and mincing the pre-fried fish with all those seasonings is what makes the signature ‘kata-kat’ sound, but the front chef is not so much cooking the fish as he is re-heating, and mixing it.

It looks a bit oily, but of course there’s no way you’d ever want this dish without that double-flavoring. The second time on the pan adds just huge amounts of additional fried flavors.

Amazing green mint chutney at Masha Allah Kata-kat
The chutney easily deserves an award for Dipping Sauce of the Decade

Fish, and a Chutney From Heaven

I guarantee that watching the chef for just a minute, you will find yourself nearly uncontrollably hungry.

But whatever you do, as you’re searching out a place to sit, please don’t forget the chutney.

The chef hands you your plate of fish kata-kat just seconds after he scrapes it away from the hot iron griddle. I’m going to go ahead and tell you that reserving a dish of chutney is even more important than reserving yourself a place to sit down.

The bread item accompanying this meal will be chapati, but you don’t have to wait in line for this, as they will bring this to you. As with most popular street-side restaurants in Pakistan, there is a dedicated line of fresh tandoori oven or griddle masters working next-door.

The bread is finished, and waiting staff come walking through the eating area to keep the customers supplied with a never-ending flow of still-steaming breads.

Tasty masala spiced chopped fish, you won't believe how good this food is
The lemony sour mixed with masala spiciness is just out of control delicious

Simple Techniques with Amazing Results

The simple yet unique style of cooking here just blows me away. Its great to watch, to see how they just perfect this meal of street food, and then by the time the food arrives, they’ve literally built your excitement up to perfectly sky-high heights.

So you have a plate of fish kata-kat, the deep green mint chutney, and you’ve just been awarded your piping hot chapati bread. All is temporarily good in the world.

Tear off a good-sized handful of that chapati, and dig in for a fish-only first big bite.

Incredible Flavor

The fish is incredible, not too oily at all despite it taking at least a cup of oil to cook all half-dozen of the fish in each batch. It is peppery, full of masala dry flavor, but then so juicy inside as the chef lets it fry just long enough for the whole fish to cook.

For the second bite, prepare for exultation of every taste bud you have. Dip up as much of that sour and minty chutney as you can, and bon appetite.

Just thinking of it now makes me dearly want to rejoin my friends on another Karachi street food pilgrimage.

Very friendly people in Karachi, Pakistan
Very representative of the incredible welcome we received at road-side restaurants throughout our trip to Pakistan

No Brains, No Offal, but Full of Heart

Not only was this one of the best meals of our entire Pakistan trip, but we got to eat at a table right next to the owner and originator of this recipe himself!

After taking a few photos together, he insisted on us having another plate of fish, several more plates of the chutney, and then insisting on giving us the entire meal as complimentary.

Yet another day full of ridiculously delicious food, and even more heart-warming experiences with the wonderful Pakistani people.

I absolutely loved our trip to Pakistan, and if you haven’t done so yet, you can check out more of my Pakistan food and travel blogs.

Pakistan has amazingly sweet carrots and beets
Some of the sweetest carrots you will ever have in your life

Bonus Food – ACTUAL Salad Ninja

I remember there was a popular game my friends were playing on the iPhone for years, something about a Fruit Ninja.

When I saw this vegetable vendor flying through an onion, literally faster than my eyes could follow, I thought “wow, I must have found the real-life hero of that video game!”

This amazing man wielding nothing but a reusable hacksaw blade was chopping up vegetables without a cutting board, easily twice as fast as I have ever seen a vegetable moving before.

With a whir of motion he goes through entire cucumbers, tomatoes, fresh beets, water loofah, and carrots.

He was creating about 10 plates worth of vegetable salad items in literally under 60 seconds.

After enough gracious repetitions where he allowing us to get close up video footage, he blesses us with a few plates of the fresh salad for ourselves – and just look how beautiful he arranges it too.

He was only charging 30PKR (about US$0.22) per plate, and he not only makes it into a salad for you, but he also squeezes over it some fresh lime, and then shakes on some wonderful masala spices as well. Now that’s a hand-chopped salad.

The salad ninja of Pakistan sells from his cart directly outside Masha Allah Fish Fish Kata-kat.

Restaurant Name: Masha Allah Fish Katakat
Location: It’s in the Liaquatabad neighborhood of Karachi, Pakistan (Google Maps)
Hours: Not posted, but we went there mid-afternoon
Price: The owner generously gave us this fish feast complimentary (Thank you!)

81 comments. I'd love to hear from you!

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  • pge outage map

    8 months ago

    Karachi’s street food scene is known for its diverse range of flavors, from comforting and familiar tastes to innovative and unique combinations. It’s a city where traditional recipes meet contemporary twists, and you can find a delightful blend of culinary ingenuity.

  • farah

    1 year ago

    I’m curious about the taste of this dish.. next year I will fly to Pakistan to try it.. hopefully my wish will come true

  • boardman-wellness.com

    1 year ago

    Very nicely written Thanks .

  • boardman-wellness.com

    1 year ago

    Thanks for food information.

  • J C

    1 year ago

    Yeah street foods are must try

  • Kim

    2 years ago

    It seems a tasty one and im for sure will try it soon.

  • Livproo

    2 years ago

    This is really amazing, Thanks for providing such information

  • Plant Layout

    2 years ago

    Nice food

  • Jamila

    2 years ago

    The Food Looks Awesome

  • Santhosh Kumar

    2 years ago

    You have shared very good and useful information about “karachi fish katakat”, thanks.

  • Unique

    3 years ago

    WOW ! im a Karachiite but never visited this place, but for sure will visit soon.

  • irfan

    3 years ago

    very nice food

  • Olivia

    3 years ago

    Thanks for such an amazing article

  • Ram Payri

    3 years ago

    Nice, Thnank

  • Pooja Jain

    3 years ago

    Very amazing post!
    A lot thanks for sharing with us,
    We are again come on your website,
    Thanks and good day,
    Please visit our site,

  • rahuldev

    3 years ago

    Very Good Work. Thanks

  • vishal kaushik

    3 years ago

    You guys are really great. Please keep going!!!

    • Zaky

      4 months ago

      Street food mostly delicious, i like it

  • mike

    3 years ago

    Thanks for sharinging

  • Sandbox

    3 years ago

    nice post about Karachi Street Food description.

  • Mausam

    3 years ago

    Amazing info! Probably visit some of the places soon!

  • Shubham Gandu

    3 years ago

    Thanks for sharing it.

  • Civil Lead

    3 years ago

    Thanks for sharing it.

  • sankar singh

    3 years ago

    nice Karachi Street Food description

  • Krunal Rajput

    3 years ago

    It look like Old Delhi Street food.

  • Kavin

    4 years ago

    how many days actually to visit Pakistan?

    • Joel Bruner

      4 years ago

      Hello Kavin! Thanks for writing, all in all I think this trip was 17 days of eating/learning/enjoying the amazing country of Pakistan.

  • mittal solanki

    4 years ago

    A year ago I visited Karachi. This dish’s taste is delicious.thank you for your post.

    • Joel Bruner

      4 years ago

      Mittal! Thats awesome! Im sure you had a great time there… I would love to return for some Kata-Kat right now!

  • Abdur Rehman

    4 years ago

    It’s great and Mouth Watering . I live nonveg foods especially fish and mutton. It look like Old Delhi Street food.

    • Joel Bruner

      4 years ago

      Abdur, yes Pakistan has some great food! Thanks for the comments, take care!

    • Abdur Rehman

      4 years ago

      Hi Joel, Have you ever tried Old Delhi Qurashi (Seekh Kabab) and Chicken Tikka from Aslam Ka Tasla.

  • Ebenezer

    5 years ago

    It’s similar to my all-time favorite “beef shawarma”. Fish Kata-Kat is surely delicious. I would probably try it someday when I have the opportunity to go to Pakistan.

    • Joel Bruner

      4 years ago

      Ebenezer, you will find great examples of many kinds of dishes, even unique ones like this Fish Kata-kat, Karachi is just a FOOD city, its awesome! Hope you can visit, and good luck til then!

  • Kevin

    5 years ago

    Now if only I could find a reproducible recipe!

    • Joel Bruner

      4 years ago

      Kevin, if you do try, PLEASE send me a photo. Im sure it will be good no matter what… thanks for the comment! cheers

  • Krista Glover

    5 years ago

    Amazing info! Probably visit some of the places soon!

    • Joel Bruner

      4 years ago

      Krista, thats great, I am sure you’ll love the street food scene in Karachi!

  • PPC Expert

    5 years ago

    Few months ago i visited karachi and tasted both things. it was really nice taste.

    • Joel Bruner

      4 years ago

      Zaman! So happy to hear that, thanks for sharing!

  • Anna Hassan

    5 years ago

    Street food always fascinates me. The photos here look really interesting, I’d be keen to try the food

    • Joel Bruner

      4 years ago

      Hi Anna! You wouldnt be disappointed, I still miss this place even now… take care!

  • arsalan6370

    5 years ago

    Pakistani street food is very famous in all over the world , thanks for showing your love keep posting like this.

    • Joel Bruner

      4 years ago

      Youre very welcome Arsalan, have a great day today!

  • Daspalla

    5 years ago

    Nice Post Mark weins..

  • Zahid Shekh

    5 years ago

    LIAQATABAD”s famouse fish katakat, that was an awesome experience and still I’ve taste in my tongue.

  • Haseeb Ahmad

    5 years ago

    Thanks for visiting Pakistan. In next visit to Pakistan Please come to Multan

    • Joel Bruner

      4 years ago

      Thank you for the comment Haseeb, Im sure Multan is a wonderful place as well! Cheers, have a great day!

  • Pooja Jain

    5 years ago

    Very nice information for me………..thank you for sharing

    • Joel Bruner

      5 years ago

      You are most welcome Pooja! Have a great day!

  • SHRI KRISHNAN Manufacturer in India

    5 years ago

    This is such a great post.

    • Joel Bruner

      5 years ago

      Thank you for your support Shri Krishnan, take care, and have a great day!

  • happy wheels

    5 years ago

    Pakistan’s street food you share quite attractive. I really want to enjoy these dishes.

    • Joel Bruner

      5 years ago

      Very happy to be a source of useful info, and I do wish you the chance to try some of these foods very soon! All the best

  • Deva

    5 years ago

    Nice reciepe thanks for sharing

    • Joel Bruner

      5 years ago

      Hi Deva! Thanks for the support!

  • Hasan

    5 years ago

    hi mark wiens i love the way you present the food and culture of pakistan.i have watched all your travel vlogs on youtube. you have missed the great city of balochistan quetta. there are many famous food dishes like sajji.please come there

    • Joel Bruner

      5 years ago

      Thank you Hasan, and thanks for the recommendation. We would absolutely love to visit Quetta!

  • سایت عصر پادشاهان

    5 years ago

    cool, its must be delicious
    please come isfahan and taste ghorme sabzi. its amazing

    • Joel Bruner

      5 years ago

      Hello, and thank you for your invitation. Isfahan must be food of incredible food as well Im sure!

  • Crativ

    5 years ago

    This is all looks so incredible, I can’t wait to eventually try it!

    • Joel Bruner

      5 years ago

      Thanks Crativ, and I hope you get the chance very soon! Take care.

  • gayatri

    5 years ago

    Good Job , you are given us best information ..

    • Joel Bruner

      5 years ago

      You are most welcome Gayatri! Have a wonderful day today!

  • Dipti Chandra

    5 years ago

    Hello Joel,
    Hope you are doing great with Pakistani Food, Am I right Joel? LOL.
    And Yeah, I have to tell you this that whatever food you posted in this blog, really which made me hungry.
    And especially, the title you have given for fish and chutney is really amazing. I think that will be coming from heaven only.
    Keep posting like this.
    Thank you!

    • Joel Bruner

      5 years ago

      Dipti! Thank you so much! Getting messages like this not only is useful for the website, its also personally motivational – which is very important – so thank you so much for taking the time to write! We have enjoyed making this content, just as we heartily enjoyed experiencing it while in Pakistan. An amazing trip, one we will never forget. Thanks for you support, and have a wonderful day!

  • Chirag Bhayani

    5 years ago

    looks delicious bro! I have been watching your videos recently i watched your pakistan tour which is great.

    • Joel Bruner

      5 years ago

      Chirag, thanks so much for the support! Have a great day today.

  • em robotics

    5 years ago

    great to see you all again in pak …..hope all of you may enjoy ,,,,,
    love you all dear

    • Joel Bruner

      5 years ago

      Thank you very much for the support Em! Have a great day today.

  • Davi

    5 years ago

    for the time being I still haven’t thought about going to Pakistan but someday I’ll schedule it

  • Wendy

    5 years ago

    I’ve never seriously considered visiting Pakistan, but I’ll admit that this post, plus all of the great videos have me thinking this might be worth a trip someday. Everyone you encountered appeared so genuine and hospitable. I give you kudos for taking this trip and sharing the food of Pakistan with so many people around the world.

  • Anwar

    5 years ago

    OMG these photos are making my mouth water. I have not been to Karachi. How long did you stay in Pakistan in total? Going for all those leftover parts is integral in a lot of the cooking. A lot of the Muslim Indian cuisine is so similar but I’m sure all the regional and changes over the years in Pakistan would make it such a culinarily amazing trip!

  • Eden

    5 years ago

    I’m not quite as adventurous of a foodie as you are, but this all looks so good. I think street food is some of the best food you can get when traveling. It’s almost always inexpensive and you’ll find lots of local favorites. Just discovered your blog, can’t wait to read more.

    • Joel Bruner

      5 years ago

      Hi Eden, thanks very much for reading! Street food usually has the most possibilities, and we both find that street food allows you to meet some really great people as well. Always good for the most beautiful memories of any trip. Have a great day, thanks for the supprt!

  • Khurram Shahzad

    5 years ago

    Mark, you need a full day if you want to taste the variety of breakfast in Lahore. There is a place in Lahore where you have an opportunity to enjoy 22 different breakfast options there, however, you have tasted a few ones before in your previous tour.

    • Joel Bruner

      5 years ago

      Hi Khurram, thanks for reading! We enjoyed our 3 full days of eating in Lahore, and were still a bit sad to leave. That is an amazing city, hopefully we will be back again soon. Have a great day today, thanks for reading.

  • Khurram Shahzad

    5 years ago

    Although, we live in Pakistan but could not explain it in front of our friends in such a wonderful way. Salute to you Marka and your writer!
    By the way, it is just a tip of an iceberg. The whole country is full of ridiculously delicious food especially Lahore and Karachi.

    • Joel Bruner

      5 years ago

      Thanks very much Khurram, we would love to return, and continue to explore that iceberg as you say. Have a great day! Take care

  • George

    5 years ago

    “What a delicious post!” is the least I can say 🙂 I remember having Chutney or something similar in a food festival in Berlin. To be honest, I think that it was improvised: it had to meet the criteria of the local population. No matter what, eating traditional Pakistani food is an experience by itself. I hope I can make it one day to Pakistan -I guess I will roam the streets like crazy in search for street food!

  • Anita

    5 years ago

    Street food is always the best, I love how it looks like and I am sure it’s super fresh! Would love to try it one day