Explore Our Menu
“Hospitality is Our Culture” – Balti Saying
Savor the authentic flavors of Skardu Baltistan with our traditional dishes and beverages, prepared
with locally sourced ingredients and centuries-old recipes.
Signature Dishes
Gyal (Buckwheat Cakes)
Gyal (also known as Giyal) comes in many regional variations, but all versions are built around locally grown red or brown buckwheat. It is a simple, hearty dish, made from wheat cakes generously coated with apricot oil.
Cooked on a flat iron plate, usually over a wood-fired stove, Gyal develops a distinct smoky flavor that sets it apart. Some versions are finished with honey, while others are topped with fragrant apricot jam. In Gilgit, we also tasted a richer variation filled with a thick walnut and almond paste.
Marzan (Buckwheat with Apricot Oil)
The wheat grains are soaked in water for nearly two weeks before being milled, a slow process that gives the flour a naturally sweeter flavor. This makes it especially suited for the harsh winter months, when warmth and sustenance matter most.
Because of the time and care required, this dish is rarely prepared and is usually reserved for special occasions. It is served as a small mound of Marzan, a soft, slightly dry wheat dough, accompanied by a bowl of pure apricot oil. The texture is dense and sticky, similar to dumpling or cookie dough.
Prapu (Wheat Noodles w/Walnut Paste)
Prapu is a traditional noodle dish thickened with finely ground almonds. The noodles are hand-made from wheat flour and boiled until tender, then coated in a rich paste made from crushed walnuts and pressed apricot oil.
The dish is finished with locally sourced herbs, giving it a deep, earthy flavour.
Balay (Noodle Soup w/Goat Meat)
In Baltistan’s cold mountain climate, few things are as comforting as a bowl of soup. But here, soup is not thin or forgettable. Known locally as balay, it is thick, rich, and filling, closer to a gravy than a broth.
Made from a slow-cooked goat meat base, the dish is packed with chewy handmade noodles and small, tender pieces of meat. Hearty and deeply warming, it is the perfect way to begin a traditional Baltistan meal in Skardu.
Experience Authentic Balti Cuisine
All our dishes are prepared using traditional recipes passed down through generations, with ingredients sourced locally from Skardu Baltistan. Our chefs take pride in preserving the authentic flavors of the region while maintaining the highest standards of quality and hygiene.
Dining Ambience
Elegant Atmosphere
Immerse yourself in our thoughtfully designed space where warm lighting and refined décor create an inviting experience for every guest.
Artisan Cuisine
Savor dishes crafted with passion and precision, where traditional techniques meet contemporary innovation in every plate.
Curated Selections
Complement your meal with our carefully selected wine list and signature beverages, each chosen to enhance your dining journey.
Main Course
Butter Tea
One of the backbones of Balti cuisine is actually a drink. This is not your average tea however, and it is much more than simply preparing green or black leaves in hot waterTea contains salt, butter, milk, and is made with pre-brewed green tea leaves.
Boiled Goat
The goat was boiled with a few small vegetables like onions and carrots, but with very minimal spice and seasoning. It was served still on the bone, and self service to slice off a chunk. The meat is tender from being boiled, but it also has a wonderful goat-meat muscle toughness. You know immediately through the flavor that this was a home-raised animal, and not from a meat farm.As with many parts of the world where people live in more self-reliant environments, the cooking and preparing of an entire animal is one of the ways of highest respect to welcome a guest into one’s home.
Potato Stew
This is a curry in that the ingredients are fried to make a heavily spiced sauce before adding water, but then it is served as a very thick stew. It is full of large chunks of goat meat, potatoes, and a seasoning blend much more spicy than what we saw in more traditional food of Baltistan.
Traditional
Balti Salt Tea (Namkeen Chai)
Chapchoro (Chapshoro)
Mantu (Dumplings)
Desserts & Sweet Treats
Apricot Halwa
Kheer
Akhrot Barfi
- Our Food Philosophy
- Fresh, locally sourced ingredients
- Traditional Balti cooking methods
- Hygienic preparation
- Warm, home-style hospitality
- Special requests are welcome. Vegetarian options and custom meals are available on request.