Sea Buckthorn – All Flavours Healthy & Hunza

When you think Hunzai Cuisine, think healthy! And restaurants in Islamabad are serving up food choices that will make you smile 🙂

Apparently people from Hunza have a life expectancy of 120 years, with some living up to the age of 150. Meanwhile, the average life expectancy in Pakistan is only 67 years. The secret behind this is the food they grow themselves and eat. And we got to try some of the flavours they enjoy at this quaint little restaurant by a Hunzai Owner called Sea Buckthorn in F-8/4, Islamabad.

Fresh, delicious and light! Every dish we tasted had the right ingredients to spell out these qualities. And the prices were fantastic for the generous portion sizes.

“The idea behind the place is to promote the traditional cuisine of Hunza. People in Hunza eat simple but healthy food. Ingredients like buckwheat, yak cheese, apricot oil, mountain herbs and spices like thyme, hemp, Sea buckthorn seeds, are a major part of people’s diet in Hunza hence the longevity of their lives. All of these ingredients have huge health benefits and we are trying to make them consumable by adding them in our dishes without compromising on our taste. The idea is to give a break to the people of the capital from all the unhealthy food that they eat on a daily basis.”

HUNZA CHICKEN DUMPLINGS – (FUCHSIA’s favourite)

I love dumplings but I am fussy about the texture and the flavor of the filling. We tried the chicken ones and I crave them to date. The filling was flavourful, the mince was just right and the portion size was perfect! They also come in mutton if you’re more of a red meat fan and are equally delicious.

WALNUT CHICKEN WITH HERB RICE – (for the faint-hearted)

Chunks of tender chicken cooked in a very mildly flavoured creamy curry and a portion of hemp rice is very filling but if you like a kick to your food, you might be left looking for Tabasco.

GIYALING (BUCKWHEAT PANCAKES) – (when you fancy something different)

These carried a slight nutty almond taste or perhaps, a hint of apricot kernels, which is part of the Hunzai Staple diet. The crepe was neither sweet nor salty which made it quite palatable.

SEA BUCKTHORN VEGGIE / CHICKEN FLATBREAD – (Must try)

Absolutely loved it! We ordered both vegetarian and chicken and we couldn’t decide which one we loved more. There is a generous amount of vegetables and meat on a freshly baked flatbread which makes it like a thin crust pizza. Only more wholesome.

SEA BUCKTHORN STEAK – (Worth the risk)

They offer a variety of beef steaks but their special is a rare yak meat steak. Brought all the way from Hunza to Islamabad, served with their famous Salajeet sauce known for its longevity. This steak is finger-licking good and another must try for the risk takers.

RIVER TROUT FISH – (Would you try it?)

We didn’t try this but boy did it look good. So if you try this one, let us know what you think.

MUTTON DAODAO – (Chefs recommendation)

This hearty soup is prepared in mutton and vegetables with homemade pasta. It is the perfect comfort food, especially on a cool Islamabad night.

With this healthy new addition to the Islamabad food scene, restaurants in Islamabad have to up their game a notch or two to vie for first place! For more on Ramazan options and home delivery, visit Sea BuckThorn – Hunzai Cuisine on Facebook.