Southall: your Tariq Road away from home
SLOUGH, ENGLAND:
When your whole life has been spent as an expat, “home” shrinks to wherever the dinner table is every night – and we Pakistanis have no shortage of dinner tables flung all across the globe. We have seeped out into the Gulf, spread into the UK, hopped across to North America, and are even prepared to stick it out in the punishing winters of Scandinavian outposts.
In the south of the UK, where local cuisine lacks excitement and fashion choices are uninspiring, Southall stands out as a vibrant enclave that will ignite your desi spirit. Upon stepping off the train station, you’re transported into the lively world of Southall Broadway, which I affectionately refer to as Tariq Road 2.0.
Looking for designer clothes? Southall has you covered.
Located just a stone’s throw away from Heathrow Airport in West London, Southall has proudly embraced its identity as Little India or Little Punjab since the 1970s, attracting visitors from diverse backgrounds. Karachiites need not feel left out either. If you’ve ever accompanied a teenage boy on a shopping trip in Karachi, you’ll appreciate the convenience of finding all his favorite kurta shops right here in Southall. No need to wait until your next trip to Karachi for another round of shopping!
While the price tags at Southall’s Pakistani brand outlets might initially give you sticker shock, a quick currency conversion reveals that they’re comparable to those at any high-end store in Dolmen Mall. So, indulge in the shopping experience without worrying too much about the prices.
If you’re a savvy shopper who balks at spending exorbitant amounts on fleeting fashion trends or rapidly outgrown clothes, fear not. Head over to the grandly named ‘Shopping Palace’ – reminiscent of Shadman Arcade on Tariq Road – where you can find slippers, plain kurtis, or shiny wedding outfits at prices that won’t break the bank. With stores like Riwaaz Boutique, Jaan London, Omega Beauty, J., Pyara Collection, and Kids Pride (note the lack of an apostrophe, oddly satisfying), you’re bound to find whatever you need.
And what about urgent mehndi needs? Every year around Eid, Southall Broadway is dotted with enterprising mehndi artists armed with cones and plastic lawn chairs. Working diligently under the dim glow of street lamps, they’ll transform your hands into works of art within minutes, leaving you free to wander over to a nearby stall for a kulfi treat.
Now, onto the heart of any foodie’s desires: street food. Southall boasts an array of delights, leaving sanitized eateries in its wake. From Jalebi Junction to countless pani puri stalls and chaat vendors, your taste buds will be transported to a realm where they forget they ever boarded a plane at Jinnah terminal. You’ll be tempted by kulfi experts boasting pista, malai, and mango flavors, and before you can finish one, you’ll stumble upon three more carts selling the same treat.
Further down, you’ll find carts offering pani puri, chaat, and samosas, with lines reminiscent of those for Taylor Swift tickets. But if you prefer a seated meal, options like Giftos Lahore Karahi, Spice Village, Wok and Karahi, Kulcha Express, Karak Chaii, and Rita’s Chilli Chaat await. Rest assured, the food here rivals the offerings of the KU dhaba, and in the realm of street food, there can be no higher praise.
The only real differences between Southall and Tariq Road are the attire of its patrons. With the UK’s perpetual grey skies, Southall Broadway visitors are bundled in coats instead of sweat-soaked kurtis. And with zero parking, you won’t have to worry about rickshaws running over your foot. But fear not – with motorists desperately searching for parking down side roads, you’ll still get the authentic Karachi experience. Much like their Karachi counterparts, Southall drivers navigate with eyes half-closed, ensuring that your trip to Southall is a complete Tariq Road experience, albeit without Karachi’s diesel fumes.
