Daegu has added to its culinary diversity with two new Pakistani restaurants. While Pakistani cuisine is not new to Daegu there have been recent changes in ownerships and locations for the establishments that existed.

Previously they were centered around the foreigner marts at Bukbu bus terminal. The original restaurant Ali Baba was run by chef Rasheed. He left and started his own restaurant Handi a few doors down leaving Ali Baba under new management

Rasheed has since closed Handi and opened a new restaurant Aladdin across from the Kyunpook University North Gate. The location is easy to spot, across the street crossing and above the Tous Les Jours bakery

Its much nicer and larger than his previous Handi location. There is a large screen projector tv playing Bollywood movie songs and many traditional folk items decorate the interior. It even has a giant gold Aladdins lamp which he had specially brought over.

There have been some menu changes from his Handi location but just as delicious ranging from biriyani rice dishes cooked with chicken, lamb, beef, or vegetables, and a similar range of curries. You also get authentic freshly cooked naan bread on site

Meanwhile back at Bukbu terminal Ali Baba has undergone a renovation and complete makeover. The location is not as grungy as it was before and the modern new interior has many traditional cultural items on display

Menu items are comparable to Rasheed's at Aladdin with biriyani rice, curries, tandoori chicken, and fresh naan bread.

Pakistani cuisine may outwardly seem the same as Indian food. However, like Chinese cuisine there are regional differences. The Pakistani tandoori style has naan, kebabs, and grilled chicken dishes cooked in a clay oven

So now whether at Bukbu terminal in the west end, or Kyunpook University at the northern central end, there are two delicious and stunning new locations to enjoy some scrumptious Pakistani dishes and absorb some of the culture