Hyderabad, June 27 -- On a regular morning, the aroma of simmering nihari wafts through a kitchen in Tolichowki. While the scent of nihari is not new on the streets of this city, the taste of this particular version is. Thicker, spicier, and cooked with a distinct Pakistani-style, this nihari carries the essence of Karachi more than Hyderabad. It is one of the many dishes that are quietly making their way from across the border into Hyderabad's food culture.

From bun kebabs to chapli kebabs on crackling hot tawas, Pakistani foods have slowly gained ground in the city's bustling food scene. While most of these are tucked away in humble stalls and eateries, the response to these dishes has been only growing. For Hyderabadis, used to bold f...