Review: Wild Thyme Islamabad – Hunza Food

Wild Thyme Islamabad is one of the capital’s very few specialty restaurants, serving Hunza-inspired contemporary cuisine. The surroundings are serene, the interior is cozy and the food is solid.

It is the brainchild of Elizabeth, an American lady who lived in and consequently fell in love with the North of this country. She is warm, welcoming and quality conscious. Elizabeth gave me company over this meal, and provided great insights on the food and her own story.

How much truth is there in her pudding though?

Let’s get right into it!

What’s available at Wild Thyme Islamabad?

1: Mutton Daudo Soup

The Mutton Daudo (soup) is both a great starter and a main. Simple yet hearty, with chunks of succulent lamb meat, soft pasta, all dunked in a robust yakhni-style broth ; it’s a winner! Pour some fermented goat milk (optional) and the meaty/gamey flavour becomes even more pronounced. This can put ramen to shame.

Daudo Soup

2: Apricot Chicken Karhai

Then comes the Apricot Chicken Karhai. Dried apricots and almonds bring a whole new dimension to this otherwise chicken handi. The sweetness is mild – almost unnoticeable. But one almost immediately notices the fragrance. It’s a must have!

Apricot Chicken Karahi

3: Spinach Ravioli

My absolute favourite at Wild Thyme Islamabad has to be the Spinach Ravioli though. It is mild, creamy, nutty, and delightful. The flavour profile is somewhat similar to palak paneer, but that’s only as far as the similarities go. The ravioli pasta pockets in this are tender and filled adequately. Go just for this, if you would.

Spinach Ravioli

4: Quroot Chicken Curry

Next up, the Quroot Chicken Curry has an acquired taste, but is nonetheless interesting. It has a strong gamey flavour due to the fermented goat milk, but there’s no excitement without that. Think about a sour yogurt based chicken handi cooked in lamb fat. That’s the closest explanation I can provide. Anything with fermented goat milk is an acquired taste, but do try it if you’re adventurous. A few bites into it, and you will start to appreciate it.

Quroot Chicken Curry

5: Hunza Walnut Cake

The desserts are outright amazing! Wild Thyme Islamabad have their own (better) versions of the famed Hunza Walnut Cake. There’s the plain/original one and then there’s a chocolate one too. These cakes are possibly the best things to come out of the far North if you’d ask me. Shortbread-type pockets filled with a sticky honey and walnut concoction – it’s an addiction! (Try the chocolate one if it’s going to be your first time). There’s an Apple & Cinnamon version too, which tastes great. However, my heart is with the Walnut Cakes.

Hunza Walnut Cake

6: Salajit Espresso – Wild Thyme Islamabad Special

The Salajit Espresso is unique. It combines the mystical health properties of Salajit (a local mineral) with a very robust type of Espresso. It’s extremely potent, and can become your morning go-to drink. However, I enjoyed small sips paired with the Walnut Cake. That’s a match made in heaven.

Salajeet Espresso

Conclusion

Overall, Wild Thyme Islamabad is one of the most unique culinary experiences you can have in Islamabad. It is one of the very few (possibly the last) Islamabad eateries that have maintained their focus on a single type of cuisine rather than going ‘continental’, and have been experimenting with it. You will find unmatched ingenuity, passion, warmth & quality.

Go if you’re able to appreciate the extraordinary; you will thank me for this recommendation.

Bonus Tips

Interior and Exterior of Wild Thyme Islamabad

Review By M. Ali Hasan

Note: This review will automatically be deleted in 2021.

Read more: Review of Islamabad Restaurants

Thanks to Apricot Tours for all the help.