Why We Started Nawala

At Nawala, we believe that every bite tells a story, and ours is one we'd love to share with you. Our journey began with a longing—a yearning for the bold South Asian flavors we grew up loving but couldn't find in a way that honored our values.

Growing up in large families in Pakistan, we didn't have much in terms of material wealth, but we were rich in traditions and flavors. Food was prepared with love, care, and no shortcuts. Every meal was a celebration of culture, family, and the vibrant spices that make South Asian cuisine so unforgettable.

After moving to the United States for our education, we joined the ranks of busy professionals in New York City. Our meals became bland and routine—dominated by the corporate diet of quick, convenient options that lacked the soul of home cooking. We longed for a taste of home but found that enjoying traditional South Asian food often meant sacrificing our health, with options that were heavy, fried, and lacking in ingredient transparency.

Driven by this conviction, we embarked on a mission that many thought had only a slim chance of success. We sought to create a version of our favorite food—South Asian street rolls—that was packed with protein, light on calories, and bursting with flavor. Importantly, we wanted to craft it using only organic ingredients, staying true to our heritage without taking any shortcuts.

After a year and a half of experimenting with recipes, we finally landed on rolls that checked every box. It was surreal and euphoric. We had created something that everyone—from every background—loved. That's the heart of Nawala. Today, we hand-make our rolls in our commissary kitchen, driven by one simple mission: to create delicious, uncompromising food that you can enjoy every day and feel good about—just like we did growing up.