National Foods in Pakistan
Few names are as familiar in a Pakistani kitchen as National Foods. From the recipe mix box sitting in the spice rack to the jar of mixed pickle on the dinner table, the brand has quietly become part of how millions of households cook every day.
From a Karachi Spice Shop to a National Brand
National Foods traces its roots back to 1970, when it started in Karachi as a spice company. Over the following decades, it expanded well beyond spices into recipe mixes, pickles, sauces, ketchup, mayonnaise, and desserts — growing into one of Pakistan’s leading multi-category food companies. Today, its products are also exported to markets including the Middle East, the UK, the US, and Canada.
This page offers general, independently researched information about National Foods for shoppers using Grocer.pk. It is not an official National Foods page — for the latest product details, the official National Foods website remains the best source.
What’s in the National Foods Range?
The brand’s product lineup is built around a few core categories that show up in most Pakistani kitchens:
Recipe Mixes. Perhaps the brand’s most recognized products, these pre-measured spice blends are designed to simplify cooking traditional dishes — think Quorma, Karahi, Nihari, and Biryani mixes that promise restaurant-style flavor at home.
Plain Spices. For cooks who prefer to build flavors themselves, National Foods also sells individual spices — turmeric, red chilli powder, coriander powder, cumin seeds, garam masala, and more.
Pickles & Condiments. The brand’s mixed pickle, made with mango, carrot, lemon, and green chilli, is a familiar sight alongside daal and rice. Its range also covers ketchup, mayonnaise, and ginger-garlic paste.
Jams & Desserts. Rounding out the range, National Foods also produces jams, jellies, and dessert mixes — a reminder that the brand covers far more than just savory cooking.
A Closer Look: The Karachi Khaas Line
Within its recipe mix category, National Foods’ Karachi Khaas line is worth a special mention. It’s built around restaurant-style versions of popular dishes — Quorma, Karahi, Nihari, and Bombay Biryani — aimed at home cooks who want more elaborate, layered flavors without the trial and error of building a spice blend from scratch.
Recipe Mix, Plain Spice, or Pickle — What Should You Pick?
It largely comes down to what you’re cooking and how much control you want over the flavor:
- Making a specific traditional dish like nihari or karahi? A dedicated recipe mix takes the guesswork out of it.
- Cooking something more everyday, where you want to adjust spice levels to taste? Plain spices offer more flexibility.
- Rounding out a meal of daal, rice, or parathas? The pickle and condiment range is the usual pairing.
As always, checking the ingredient list on the packaging helps match the product to your own dietary preferences.
Finding National Foods Near You
National Foods products are widely stocked — you’ll find them in large supermarkets as easily as in a neighborhood kiryana store. That said, exact availability (which recipe mixes, which pack sizes) can vary from one store to the next.
Grocer.pk can help you find grocery stores and supermarkets in your area:
- Grocery Stores — for a full range of everyday essentials
- Supermarkets — typically a broader product selection
- Kiryana Stores — for quick, nearby shopping
Or browse by city:
[IMAGE 4: Interior of a busy Pakistani supermarket aisle stocked with packaged spices and condiments, shoppers browsing, documentary-style photography]
A Quick Note on Availability
Grocer.pk is an independent local business directory — we’re not affiliated with National Foods, and a store appearing in our directory doesn’t guarantee a specific product is currently in stock. Prices, pack sizes, and promotions can change without notice, so it’s worth a quick call to the store before making a special trip for a particular item.
More From Our Brands Section
Curious about other household names stocked in Pakistani grocery stores? Visit our Brands section, including our guide to Sunsilk.
[IMAGE 5: Clean minimal flat-lay of National Foods spice jars and packets on a plain white background, product-catalog style photography]
Frequently Asked Questions
Is National Foods a Pakistani brand?
Yes — it was founded in Karachi in 1970 and remains headquartered there today.
What does National Foods make besides spices?
Beyond spices, the brand produces recipe mixes, pickles, ketchup, mayonnaise, sauces, jams, and desserts.
Can I buy National Foods products online?
Many online grocery stores carry National Foods products, alongside supermarkets and kiryana shops. Availability depends on the seller.
Does Grocer.pk sell National Foods products directly?
Grocer.pk is a directory that helps you find grocery stores and supermarkets. We don’t sell products ourselves.
Where can I find National Foods products in Lahore, Karachi, or Islamabad?
Most supermarkets and many kiryana stores across these cities stock at least some of the range. Use Grocer.pk to find stores near you, then confirm specific product availability directly with the retailer.