Saudi-Inspired Restaurant Brings Middle Eastern Flavors to Pakistan
Published on: April 6, 2024.
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RAWALPINDI: The bustling kitchen of Manjoo is filled with waiters preparing shawarma platters while eager customers wait for their orders in the dining room. The aroma of skewered meat and spicy rice fills the air, creating a mouthwatering experience for all.
Manjoo is a fast-food chain that was set up four years ago in Rawalpindi by two Pakistani brothers who grew up in Saudi Arabia. In 2009, they opened the restaurant’s first branch in the Kingdom, and it quickly gained popularity.
The menu at Manjoo features popular dishes such as shawarma, mandi, and fatayer. Shawarma is a seasoned meat and condiments served on pita bread, while mandi is a meat and spicy rice dish. Fatayer are small, triangular-shaped pastries filled with spinach, cheese, meat, or a combination of these ingredients.
Sheikh Tahir, one of the brothers who set up the Rawalpindi branch, shared that his family moved to Saudi Arabia before he was born and established various businesses there. They had automobile showrooms and mobile phone shops, but the younger generation always dreamed of opening a restaurant.
In 2009, their dream came true when they opened their first Manjoo branch in Madinah, Saudi Arabia. Since then, the restaurant has expanded to five branches across Saudi Arabia. Recently, the family decided to open a branch and a food truck in Pakistan.
The name “Manjoo” is derived from the Arabic word for mango. Tahir explained that Saudi mangoes are cherished fruits available all year round. The name was randomly chosen before the restaurant’s opening in 2009, but it quickly gained fame.
Initially, Tahir’s family was skeptical about the success of an Arab food restaurant in Pakistan. However, the response from customers was overwhelming, which Tahir attributes to the growing taste for Middle Eastern cuisine in the country.
To maintain the restaurant’s authentic taste, Tahir ensures that chefs from Saudi Arabia are brought in to prepare the dishes. This attention to detail has garnered praise from customers who appreciate the authentic flavors.
“I come here at least twice a week,” said customer Ali Fayaz. “Having spent a lot of time in Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries, my taste buds are accustomed to their cuisine.”
Another customer, Syed Noman Sarwar, shared his positive experiences at the restaurant. “I have tried KFC, McDonald’s, but nothing compares to the taste of Manjoo,” he said.
Source: Arab News
