Khabib loves Pakistani food and even tried to take a budget flight in the United States to reach San Francisco before his favourite spot, Chutney, closed for the day.
That was the January flight he was removed from after an argument with a flight attendant.
The airline later faced backlash from fans and celebrities over claims of xenophobia and discrimination.
In a recent podcast appearance, the former mixed martial artist was asked about what he likes to eat.
He pointed to a humble Pakistani restaurant in San Francisco and said he and his friends go there whenever they are in town.
Khabib’s love for Pakistani cuisine: budget flight drama and praise for Chutney
The story highlights how a simple food choice can cut through the noise of celebrity headlines.
A champion known for discipline and routine placed a small, family style restaurant at the top of his list.
The message felt authentic and relatable to many Pakistani readers and to the wider South Asian diaspora.
The attention is a lift for Pakistani cuisine in global conversations.
Word of mouth from a world famous athlete can push new diners to try familiar flavours.
It can also remind expats of the comfort of homestyle cooking far from home.
For small businesses, this kind of shout out often matters more than paid ads.
The airline incident remains a sore point for his supporters. Many saw the removal as unfair and were quick to call out the behaviour online.
The restaurant angle, however, kept the focus on something positive. A favourite meal. A place that welcomes friends. A routine that brings people together.
For Pakistani food culture, the takeaway is simple. Quality and hospitality travel well.
Read more: GTA 6 is coming and it might be the biggest game launch ever
