The Story Behind Karakoram Restaurant

When Qasim Mehmood arrived in Vancouver in 2013, he quickly realized something was missing. Despite the city’s diverse food scene, there was no place truly serving authentic Pakistani food especially traditional karahi, cooked the way it is meant to be: fresh, original, and full of character. Pakistani cuisine deserved stronger representation, and Qasim knew he had to bring it forward.

But his passion for food began long before Canada.

Before Vancouver, Qasim spent several years in the United Kingdom, working in high-volume restaurants and large banquet halls in Manchester. There, he mastered both Pakistani and continental cuisines, learning precision, consistency, and how to deliver quality under intense pressure. Cooking was never just a profession it was an art, a discipline, and a lifelong passion.

In 2018, Qasim founded Karakoram Restaurant with a clear mission: to introduce traditional Pakistani karahi at the highest quality level and proudly represent Pakistani cuisine. From signature karahi to biryani, BBQ grills, every dish is prepared with care, premium ingredients, and respect for tradition, while reflecting authenticity, craftsmanship, and full of heart.

Karakoram became a pioneer of karahi in British Columbia, setting a standard that many now follow. Through Qasim’s passion for cooking and commitment to excellence, Karakoram has grown into a leader in Pakistani cuisine in BC.

The name Karakoram is inspired by K2, the second highest and one of the most challenging mountains in the world. Just like climbing K2, success in the food industry requires courage, patience, and relentless dedication. Karakoram strives to reach the peak of the food industry, not by chasing trends, but by setting them.

Since 2018, Karakoram has proudly served Canadian communities while staying deeply connected to humanity. We organize weekly food drives for the homeless and needy, distributed over 5,300 meals in a single month during COVID-19 Ramadan for refugees, seniors, and vulnerable families, and continue to sponsor education programs for underprivileged children back home.

Karakoram is more than food.
It is passion on a plate, community at heart, and a celebration of culture bringing people together through flavour, generosity, and joy.