BEIJING, China – Tucked away on an unassuming street in Harbin, the capital of China’s northeastern Heilongjiang Province, the Pakistani restaurant “Man-O-Salwa” has quietly risen to fame despite its inconspicuous location. The eatery, though not expansive in size, features a warm and meticulously maintained dining area and has earned an impressive rating of 4.5/5 on China’s renowned customer review app, Dazhongdianping.
“This is the sole Pakistani restaurant in Harbin,” stated the restaurant’s Manager, Muhammad Usama, fluently conversing in Chinese as he introduced diners to the delectable dishes. “I highly recommend trying our curry chicken and traditional milk tea.”
Founded in 2019 by Muhammad Atif, the restaurant emerged shortly after his graduation with a doctorate from a university in Harbin. “After completing my studies, I made the decision to remain in China. I wanted to open a restaurant to introduce authentic Pakistani flavors to my Chinese friends,” shared Atif. He handpicked chefs and a manager from Pakistan, including Usama, who had previously worked as a chef at a five-star hotel in Pakistan.
Since its inauguration, the restaurant has encountered its share of challenges, notably during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, Atif and Usama were unwavering in their determination to keep the business afloat. Rather than considering closure, they took proactive steps, including showcasing their dishes and gathering customer feedback through short video platforms, to promote both Pakistani cuisine and the restaurant.
“In the past few years, I have rarely visited my hometown. I have stayed in Harbin, even when there were few customers,” revealed Usama. He emphasized the restaurant’s commitment to delivering an authentic Pakistani taste. Not only do they employ chefs from Pakistan, but a significant portion of their ingredients are also directly imported from Pakistan. Presently, the restaurant boasts four Pakistani employees working in the kitchen.
According to restaurant management, the establishment has garnered substantial online popularity, with all tables being fully booked during the weekends. Visitors from neighboring cities around Harbin frequent the restaurant, often conveying to Usama their deliberate journeys to Harbin solely for the purpose of savoring Pakistani cuisine.
“I have never tasted Pakistani food and wanted to give it a try. The taste here is good and special,” expressed Harbin resident Ai Mingzhe, noting that his dining experience in the restaurant ignited his curiosity to learn more about Pakistan.
With the restaurant’s business flourishing, Atif is actively working on expanding the dining area and preparing to launch another branch in the port city of Ningbo in China’s eastern Zhejiang Province. “I love China, and I will continue to do business here, using the power of food to build a bridge for exchange between China and Pakistan,” Atif affirmed