Zareen's Restaurant: Appreciating Heritage + Good Food
Zareen’s Redwood City, CA location
“Since Zareen and Umair Khan opened their first location in Mountain View in 2014, Zareen’s has been a popular spot for diners on the Peninsula seeking homestyle South Asian dishes and a steamy cup of chai. ”
This blog post is written by APF Leadership Council member Mehwish Nasir. She reviewed Zareen’s Restaurant as part of the APF Culture Heritage Fund’s efforts to profile the arts and culture of the Pakistani diaspora in the United States.
I first heard entrepreneur Zareen Khan speak about her business Zareen’s Restaurant at the Open Silicon Valley Women’s Leadership Forum on January 18, 2020. Khan, along with many other talented and accomplished entrepreneurs, shared her experiences and lessons learned in making a name for herself as a female business leader. Her path began in Karachi, Pakistan where she studied and graduated from the Institute of Business Administration. After her studies, Khan moved to the United States in the 1990s and studied economics at Northeastern University. After enjoying many successes in product management in the corporate sector for over 12 years, she wanted to start her own business venture.
Khan started teaching Pakistani cooking in her home kitchen and eventually, in collaboration with her husband Umair Khan, opened a contemporary Pakistani and Indian cuisine restaurant called “Zareen’s” in March 2014 in Mountain View, California. Two years later, a second, larger location was established in Palo Alto, followed by a downtown Redwood City location that opened in October 2020. The restaurants benefited from close proximity to international communities, Silicon Valley companies, and universities.
I frequently eat at Zareen’s and during a recent visit to the restaurant’s Redwood City location, I ordered my two favorite dishes: garlic naan and chicken Memoni samosas. I also tried two new dishes - the Peshawari chapli kabob and chicken boti sizzlers. Both the naan and meat dishes came fresh, hot, and sizzling straight from the oven. Other fan favorites include chicken tikka masala curry, the Karachi haleem, and weekend breakfast specials of Sabri nehari and halwa puri. Customers also appreciate the free cups of tasty Pakistani chai. The authentic and perfectly spiced dishes are complimented by the unique decor and vibe of the restaurant, which nods to Pakistani American culture and hospitality. On top of it all, the service was exceptional. I received my meal quickly after I placed my order, even though it was a busy Saturday afternoon.
Zareen’s displays art by Pakistani artists
“At Zareen’s, ‘the traditional coexists with the modern: garlic naan is baked to order in a clay oven; street food classics like Karachi’s silky, porridge-like haleem are rendered faithfully; and paneer tikka masala gets wrapped up with rice and chutney in burritos. Desis missing their home food and newbies wanting to learn more will both find something to love here.”
In a very short time span, Zareen’s has received many accolades. It has been recognized as an authentic Pakistani cuisine in the Michelin Guide Restaurant from 2017 to 2020 for its “chicken Memoni samosas” and outstanding juicy and caramelized “chicken shami kebabs.” Zareen’s is also featured in the “Summer 2021: San Francisco Chronicle; Top 25 restaurants, Where to eat in the Bay Area.” Furthermore, Zareen Khan is the only Pakistani contributor in the 2018 Immigrant Cookbook: “Recipes that Make America Great.
I love seeing people enjoy authentic Pakistani food. At Zareen’s, this is evident by the smiles and happy moments shared by the guests coming through its doors. The restaurant brings a taste of home, heritage, and culture to its community - something that the diverse groups of the Bay Area all appreciate. Owner Zareen Khan describes this important contribution in her own words: “The food at Zareen’s is the food we and our kids enjoy at our home. We hope you and your family will also enjoy the authentic, wholesome, and intensely flavorful cuisine we offer.”