The hunzai handi paneer paired perfectly with the fresh bullet naan. Photo: Shafaq Patel/Axios
👋 Shafaq here! I grew up enjoying some exceptional Pakistani food (thanks, Mom), so I was impressed by Mai Colachi's menu.
Dig in: Mai Colachi, named after a fisherwoman who was Karachi's namesake, has a location in Sugar Land and two more in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
The restaurant offers an expansive Pakistani menu that highlights the various regions and surprisingly includes several vegetarian options.
What to order: The hunzai handi paneer ($15) is an absolute must. The curry, packed with spicy, complex flavors from Pakistan's Hunza Valley, was prepared perfectly, with the soft paneer soaking in the flavors of the curry. You'll find yourself savoring every last bit.
I also tried the paneer tikka handi ($15), which was great, but the paneer 65 ($10) was OK.
The shikanjabeen soda drink with the lychee flavor ($5, plus $1 for the flavor) was refreshing, with a minty, citrusy taste.
Plus: I admittedly teared up eating the lacha rabri, a thick, rich, milky dessert, which transported me to the streets of Karachi. Although it can't quite match the rabri in Pakistan, I'll take it, as I've struggled to find it done well in Houston.
