Regal Chowk ‘Dhai Bhale’ in Abu Dhabi

“Amazing, isn’t it” This is what I remarked to my wife.

Yes indeed, it is true, we were eating fresh ‘Dhai Bhale’ from the famous Lahore Regal Chowk sitting in our living room in our house in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

I can confidently say that in my 10 years of living in UAE, (Dubai, Sharjah & Abu Dhabi), you don’t find these kind of things available in any food outlets in UAE with the original mouth watering taste as you find in Pakistan. There are of course few good Pakistani restaurants but they are run-of-the-mill type.

It was a great discovery, and it just felt that we had sneakily found some treasure trove in the back side of some mysterious alleys where normally you tend to ignore to step in.

In fact, the way it was discovered was simply a pleasant stroke of luck. On one weekend, just driving around , we coincidently bumped into one small shop located on the back side of the large Madinat Zayed Shopping Mall in Abu Dhabi. It was located in a small inside closed street with scarce parking facility. Anyhow, this small outlet, when me and my wife reluctantly stepped into, they had many useful things from Pakistan, which my wife was already on hunt for quite sometime, like ‘frozen shami kababs’, ‘sarsoan ka saag’ and ‘makai ki roti’. (of course it must be owned by a Pakistani guy, this is what we understood immediately). My wife didn’t wait much and bought few of the availiable things.

The two sales persons were typically Punjabi speaking Pakistanis. One guy in the shop casually added to remark ‘ Kuch hor cheheda’ (anything else you want) . He also meant that if we wish anything special to bring from Pakistan in food items, they can easily arrange for us. I said ‘its ok, no thank you.’

On my way back to home, I only had an impression that perhaps the guy was being kind enough just to extend the good gesture. But when we discussed together, we decided to ask openly next time what they mean by that and what kind of things they can bring.

Exactly as it happened, we asked next time after two weeks. He replied in the same flat tone, ‘sir toosi duso te sahe, ki mangane hae’ (what would you like us to bring for you), I took the courage and teasingly inquired ‘ what about ‘Dhai Bhale’ . And he was serious again this time, he pulled out his register and asked . sir, ‘kitni platain’ (how much quantity/ plates). Inside, I was astonished as well excited. We ordered 5 plates from Regal Chowk . On the third day, he called on my mobile and after my office hours, I rushed to collect it.

That evening we ate ‘Dhai Bhale’ to the full of our stomachs, yes they were as fresh and delicious as we were actually taking it directly from Regal Chowk, Lahore.

Since then, we have got confidence, and now we go to that shop quite often. We have tried not only ‘Dhai Bhale’ but have also gone for ‘Murg Channa’ from Abbot Road, Lahore and ‘Sardaare ke Machi’ from Gawal Mandi, Lahore.

I would say that the few innovative Pakistani guys are giving great service and really serving Pakistani community well in UAE.

It is always a matter of finding the right ideas. Out of box thinking, many a time, can really do wonders.

These Pakistani shop owners have really capitalized upon the very intimate need of the Pakistani community who always loved the variety of our Pakistani food , dishes and recipes.


We, for sure, wish them to keep it up.