Hunza Valley has a food culture unlike anywhere else in Pakistan — a centuries-old culinary tradition built around the mountain's limited but extraordinarily nutritious produce. The Hunzakuts (Hunza people) are famous worldwide for their remarkable longevity, attributed by researchers partly to a diet rich in dried apricots, walnuts, buckwheat, mulberries and apricot oil. Eating in Hunza is not just sustenance — it's a connection to a way of life that has sustained mountain communities for millennia.
Best Time to Visit
Spring (April–May) for fresh blossoms and dried winter produce. Autumn (September–October) for harvest-fresh walnuts, apples, and apricots straight from the tree.
Top Highlights
- Chapshuro — a Hunzai flatbread stuffed with minced meat, onions and herbs, cooked on a griddle
- Diram phitti — a traditional buckwheat pancake eaten with apricot oil
- Mulberry juice and mulberry jam — made from the wild mulberries that grow across Hunza
- Dried apricots — the ubiquitous Hunzai snack, sold in every shop and eaten with walnut kernels
- Mamtu — steamed dumplings similar to Tibetan momo, filled with minced meat and vegetables
- Harissa — a slow-cooked wheat and meat porridge, traditionally eaten in winter
Essential Tips
- Try Chapshuro at the small local bakeries in Karimabad bazaar — far better than in hotels
- Dried apricot and walnut combinations (a traditional Hunzai snack mix) make excellent trail food
- Apricot oil (available in local shops) is used for cooking and as a salad dressing — unique flavour
- The best food experiences in Hunza are in family-run guesthouses, not the big hotels
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chapshuro?
Chapshuro is Hunza's most famous local bread — a thick flatbread stuffed with a filling of spiced minced meat (or vegetables for a vegetarian version), onions, and local herbs, then cooked on a traditional griddle (tawa). It's eaten as a meal in itself and is available at local bakeries throughout Karimabad.
Why are Hunza people considered to live so long?
The Hunzakuts have historically been known for exceptional longevity, with stories (some exaggerated) of people living to 120+. Researchers attribute this partly to their traditional diet — high in dried apricots (rich in B17/amygdalin), walnuts, buckwheat, and limited processed food — combined with high-altitude living, regular physical activity, and clean mountain water.
Are there good restaurants in Hunza?
Yes — Karimabad has numerous restaurants ranging from local Hunzai food stalls to well-established restaurants with panoramic mountain views. Old Hunza Inn, Cafe de Hunza and Serena Inn (for a splurge) are popular. Most serve a mix of Pakistani, Hunzai and Continental dishes. Street food stalls in the bazaar are the most authentic option.
Can I drink the tap water in Hunza?
Glacier meltwater in Hunza is generally clean, but glacial turbidity (fine particles) can upset sensitive stomachs. Use filtered or bottled water for drinking. Many guesthouses provide filtered water. The tap water is safe for washing. Avoid tap water in restaurants — ask for sealed bottled water.