The Audio Long Read How Pakistan fell in love with sushi
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Aug 11, 2025 Once a foreign oddity, sushi has weaved itself into the fabric of Pakistani dining culture. The journey began in the mid-1980s with pioneers like the Avari family who faced skepticism. As culinary preferences evolved, chefs began blending local flavors with traditional Japanese recipes. This transformation highlights Karachi's vibrant coastal cuisine and the prominence of sushi at festive occasions. At its core, the podcast reflects on how culinary innovation and family legacy have shaped a nation’s evolving palate.
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Fujiyama's Exclusive Debut
- Fujiyama opened in 1986 as an invite-only Japanese restaurant perched atop Avari Towers.
- By the new year it had waiting lists, dividing Karachi into those who had tried sushi and those who had not.
Avaris' Rule-Breaking Playbook
- Dinshaw and Byram Avari built a reputation for bold, rule-bending entrepreneurship in Karachi's hotel scene.
- They used pricing stunts, promotions and spectacle to fill rooms and create demand.
Spectacle Over Familiarity
- Byram Avari saw teppanyaki theatre at Benihana and decided Karachi would embrace the spectacle.
- He imported chef Kenny Hara and trained staff to recreate the theatrical Japanese dining experience at Fujiyama.