WEBDESK - NAYADAUR
A slight chill in the air is bringing a familiar scene back to Lahore's food streets, where sizzling snacks, spicy chaat, and hot tea are drawing growing crowds in the evening.
From Gawalmandi and Fort Road to Gulberg, Johar Town and Township, food vendors say business picks up as the sun sets and temperatures fall.
The aromas of freshly fried samosas, pakoras, moong daal pathoras and syrup-soaked jalebis are once again becoming part of Lahore's evening landscape.
For many residents, the cooler weather marks the unofficial start of the city's winter food season.
Lahore's evenings revolve around food
Families heading out for evening walks, students meeting friends after classes, and office workers returning home are increasingly stopping at food points for something hot and spicy.
A hot samosa with tea has become a popular evening combination, while samosa chaat, pakoras and pathoras are also drawing customers.
Jalebi remains another favorite, particularly when served fresh and warm.
Ayesha Khan, who was shopping at a market, said she preferred lighter, cooler foods during summer but looked forward to hot snacks once the weather turned cooler.
“An evening with hot samosas and tea feels different when there is a chill in the air,” she said.
University student Hamza Ali said food stops with friends after classes had become part of the cooler-weather routine.
“Samosa chaat or pathoras with tea are among the best things about these evenings,” he said.
Vendors welcome the seasonal rush
Food vendors say the change in weather has increased evening customers.
Muhammad Usman, a food stall owner, said demand for samosas, pakoras and pathoras had increased as temperatures dropped.
“Families and office workers are coming in larger numbers, especially in the evening,” he said.
Another vendor, Ali Raza, said jalebi and tea were also becoming increasingly popular.
The smell of freshly prepared jalebi often attracted customers who had initially come to the market to shop or do other activities, he said.
Lahore's food culture has long made eating out an important part of social life, with areas such as Gawalmandi and Fort Road particularly associated with traditional Pakistani cuisine.
Enjoy winter treats in moderation
The seasonal food rush, however, also comes with health concerns.
Doctors advise residents to enjoy fried and spicy foods in moderation, particularly those with digestive problems.
Dr Ali Rashid of Services Hospital said samosas, pakoras and pathoras can be enjoyed occasionally, but excessive fried food can contribute to digestive discomfort.
He said spicy and fatty foods could aggravate acid reflux, heartburn and indigestion in some people.
He also advised consumers to choose freshly prepared food from hygienic outlets, drink enough water and avoid lying down immediately after eating.
For Lahore's food lovers, cooler evenings are bringing back one of the city's most familiar seasonal pleasures — crowded food streets, steaming cups of tea, and plates of freshly fried snacks.
As winter approaches, the city's appetite seems ready to rise as temperatures fall.