A Karachi favorite
Pakola Fever.
I can’t get over the obsession this city has with this Drink. Its rich sugar content rivals even that of RedBull it seems, and being in a country of prohibition, its the only source of blood stimulating, heart battering drink that seems to bring nothing but hours of enjoyment. I don’t know anyone yet that isn’t happy after a cold drink of this stuff.
Me? Im addicted. And no im not getting paid to advertise for these guys, (although I should, and welcome the invitation). It is just something that is unique to Pakistan, and specifically Karachi. I swear you can’t find it in Lahore or Islamabad.
So what makes this brand so successful here,when major companies like Coke and Pepsi usually end up running the whole industry in most countries, and why is it only so popular in Karachi?
Famous quotes regarding Pakola I have heard:
“Dil bola, Pakola!”
“Durahne Ramazan, Pakola banaye jaan!”
“Pani Rahko, Pakola Pilo!”
“Yaar Apne Pakola lao!”
Got anymore?
haven’t had it for a Loooong time!! actually havent had much of soft drinks. Dont like em much after you get used to fresh fruit juices (dabbay walay nahi) and shakes
i live in london but get ammi 2 buy a regular supply of this stuff..am addictd 2 it!! lol @ the sugar-rich comment…it real;ly does wake u up nd leave u feelin high!
It is the best drink that pakistan has to offer ! Kuddos to the Pakola family/company.
I think every desi store MUST carry at least one bottle/can. Trust me, its not only a karachi thing. Here in the USA, we crave this drink !!! Such beautiful old memories come back…
What does ‘bunayie’ mean?
If you live in london and missing Pakola .. i have a great news .. you can buy a can from “Bharat” in Green Street (nearest tube station – Upton Park)
Enjoyyyy!!!
Wow, they named a street in London after the color of Pakola — what an honor!
Pakola can be found in 1000s of miles away in Calgary Canada!
Gora aa giya Gora chaa giya……
challo challo BANGLORE challo….
Its so addictive…Havnt really come accross any other drink like this one. Its available all over the US now.
When i was a kid (some say i still am) when asked whether i wanted a “cold drink” and offered sprite or 7up – i always used to feel better asking for BUBBLE UP. I still do it sometimes when out with family and friends just to have some fun – all i get is wierd looks from the waiters. – I used to love BUBBLE UP – and any karachiite at heart knows it tastes completely diff (better?)than sprite or 7up – and i used to LOVE it! – OH BULLBE UP – where are you now!!
Who said Pakola can only be found in Karachi? I live in the San Francisco Bay Area and see it at many desi stores here. Isn’t globalization great!? :-)
Yeh I miss Pakola here. I havent seen it in Sydney. That is one thing I am looking fwd to having when I go to Pakistan, InshaAllah.
I know for a fact that it is available widely in Miami/Orlando area. And I thought i was the weirder one, I did not know there were so many Pakola fans out there. Great Great Great.
Love you Pakola.
I remember my ex never wanted me to drink it because of the sugar content. But heck, I love this drink.
Bhaiyon aur behno, ‘kabhi doodh kay saath pee hai?’ Have you ever mixed it with milk, Ikk naya Doodh-soda.
Cheers
Farangi: The Green street is not named after this. lol.
I live in the Los Angeles area and Pakola is available at all desi stores but only in the cans. There’s something to be said for drinking it out of a bottle. It seems to taste better.
@Al Khan
Bubble Up is available at many delis around where I live and you are right ….. it does taste better than seven up and sprite. I was pleasantly surprised when I first saw the familiar green bottle last year at a local deli.
pakola is global!? wow! never realized that!!!
love this drink as well! truly crazy about it!
oh and the new Pakola flavoured milk they’ve lauched..? is JUST as amazing!!!
hara hara (green green) pakolaa
icecream SODA!!
PAKOLAAAAAAAAA!!!!
hhahahah YEAAH BABY!! The Pakola Brotherhood Rocks!
@Mansoor bhai: Wazaaaaa? ;)
I just have to jump in on the Pakola bandwagon. I see it here in Richmond, VA too. Pakola IS Pakistan! High in sugar, tastes great, but it may be doing stuff to the insides that we’re not aware of. LOVE IT!
“Hara hara Pakola
Ice Cream Soda”
………… Pakola’s original tag line.
Green greetings from Toronto ….. all desi stores and some desi restaurants have this and I’m lovin’ it (sorry McDonalds ;) )
Has any one tried Pakola flavoured Milk? I think available in more than 6 falvours.
Experience Karachi enjoy Pakola with Slimms … ;)
Anyone know if Bubble Up is available in the U.S., specifically the East Coast??
@bubble up lover,
I live in the LA area…..i posted the following above.
Bubble Up is available at many delis around where I live and you are right ….. it does taste better than seven up and sprite. I was pleasantly surprised when I first saw the familiar green bottle last year at a local deli
anyone for pakola raspberry?!?!
and there was pakola lychee which didn’t last too long …but yeah an ice cold ice cream soda rocks!I remember in some northern city in pakistan, could have been lahore, my sister asked a waiter at a restaurant if they had ice cream soda, and got the reply “ice cream hai, soda nahi hai” …(got ice cream, no soda!)
Try PAKOLA ICE CREAM SODA WITH MILK.
It is great treat for stomach acidity and refulx of gastric issue.
pakola lychee and raspberry were amazing..but green one sucks…(sorry if i offend any pakola fans here) it simply looks like dissolved rexona soap with loads of sugar in it !! :P
Most of the new generation in karachi doesnt drink pakola anymore. As a karachitte living in Dallas, TX me and my cousins used to make pakola by mixing quice syrup and club soda, that tasted really good. But now most local desi stores started carrying pakola cans.
I know for a fact that world food in Richardson and al markaz grocery in carrollton has them by case loads. So enjoy the green stuff.
and yea I do remember the original tagline was
hara hara pakola
ice cream soda