This cozy spot serves up authentic Pakistani dishes that pack a spicy punch, with highlights like tender kabobs and buttery naan that keep diners coming back.
"LA has no shortage of iconic dishes: The Godmother at Bay Cities, Philippe’s French Dip, everything at Mariscos Jalisco. It’s time to add Zam Zam Market’s Karachi-style chicken biryani to the list. The tiny Pakistani market in Hawthorne has a tight menu of excellent dishes like beef seekh kabob and tangy chicken karahi, but the biryani will forever be the star of the show. Spicy, savory, and deeply aromatic—it’s one of the most complex and mind-blowing plates of rice we’ve ever eaten, and the kind of dish that every Angeleno should be required by law to eat at least once." - brant cox
"Here’s how a meal at Zam Zam, a tiny Pakistani market in Hawthorne, generally goes. You walk in, ask the lady behind the counter for a plate of what’s cooking, and 20 minutes later you’ll be staring down at a giant platter of whatever curries, kebabs, tandoori, and naan they felt like making that day. This is the best biryani rice we’ve ever eaten, so whether or not you live or work in the area, Zam Zam is a destination everyone needs to experience even though there’s no real menu or service to speak of." - brant cox, nikko duren, kat hong, garrett snyder, sylvio martins
"This Pakistani market in Hawthorne has fantastic food, including the absolute best biryani rice we’ve ever eaten. It's also a perfect place to fill up on curries, kebabs, tandoori, and naan after a long day of tolerating airline peanuts. Whether you drop by right after you land or before you head for LAX, Zam Zam is a destination everyone needs to experience at least once—so plan accordingly. " - jess basser sanders, brant cox, nikko duren
"LA has no shortage of iconic dishes: The Godmother at Bay Cities, Philippe’s French Dip, everything at Mariscos Jalisco. It’s time to add Zam Zam Market’s Karachi-style chicken biryani to the list. The tiny Pakistani market in Hawthorne has a tight menu of excellent dishes like seekh kabobs and tangy chicken karahi, but the biryani will forever be what makes this bare-bones strip mall spot a destination. Spicy, savory, and deeply aromatic—it’s one of the most complex and mind-blowing plates of rice we’ve ever eaten, and the kind of dish that every Angeleno should be required by law to eat at least once. " - Nikko Duren, Brant Cox
"This humble market and takeout restaurant has a smaller but excellent array of mostly Pakistani dishes, starting with flavor-packed biryani. Chicken tikka, beef kabab, and plush naan are also on the compact menu, along with chicken karahi. Weekends bring some specials like lamb pulao. Call in to order ahead, and be sure to take home a packet of dried lentils from the market." - Virali_Dave, Eater Staff
