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In today’s episode, we dive into the inspiring journey of Zareen Khan and her husband, Umair Khan.

From their modest roots in Karachi to establishing the acclaimed Zareen’s restaurant chain in California, their story is one of resilience, passion, and purpose. Zareen reflects on how her love for cooking transformed into a successful business, the hurdles they faced in opening their first restaurant, and the release of her new cookbook, Zareen’s Pakistani Kitchen: Recipes from a Well-Fed Childhood. This conversation shines a light on their steadfast commitment to quality, the value of cultural representation, and their efforts to uplift and empower women.

Zareen Khan is the chef and co-founder of Zareen’s, a beloved Pakistani-Indian restaurant chain in California’s Bay Area. Originally from Karachi, she moved to the U.S. in the 1990s and transitioned from a corporate career to pursuing her passion for food. Since opening the first Zareen’s in 2014 with her husband Umair, she’s earned acclaim for her authentic cuisine, with multiple locations and recognition from the Michelin Guide. In 2025, she released her debut cookbook, Zareen’s Pakistani Kitchen, celebrating the flavors of her childhood.

Umair Khan is a Pakistani-American entrepreneur, educator, and co-founder of Zareen’s restaurant chain. A graduate of MIT, he has led multiple tech startups, including Folio3, and is a founding partner at Mentors Fund. Umair also teaches entrepreneurship at UC Berkeley and co-authored the cookbook Zareen’s Pakistani Kitchen with his wife, Zareen Khan.

 

#restaurantmarketing #streetfood #culinarytourism #restaurantstartup #foodandbeverage

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Watch the feature films that I have directed
Citizen of Moria - https://rb.gy/azpsu
In Search of My Sister - https://rb.gy/1ke21
Official Website - www.jawadmir.com