Come and take a look into the food culture of Afghanistan.
Be prepared for your taste buds to have a party. Afghan cuisine is like a distant cousin to Indian, but is less spicy, kinder to your stomach, and makes you wish that you knew them sooner. What is slowly becoming more and more popular in the United States is now available in Phoenix. Why not come and try your new favorite food?
I came to Afghan Traditional Restaurant with my wife, daughter, and two friends because of a friends' recommendation. It did not fail to please.
We ordered Samosas and Bolani for appetizers. Be careful of the green sauce that comes with the Bolani if you have a low spice tolerance. The Samosas were a 10/10. The Bolani was simple but good.
Our main course consisted of Qabuli Pulao, Mantu, and Chicken Kababs. For those who don't know, Qabuli Pulao is rice's best kept secret. It may seem strange with carrots and raisins, but I promise that it is worth ordering. Afghans like it so much that it is their national dish. The Mantu reminded me of lasagna in a strange way. They are dumplings which contain ground beef, are covered in a red sauce and cream and are sprinkled with dried mint. Belissima! You MUST try these if you have never had Afghan food before. The chicken kebabs were good.
Some things to keep in mind before your visit:
1. Plan to spend more time here than a typical restaurant. Settle into the traditional raised carpet platforms or restaurant booths. Where Americans typically value efficiency over relationships, Afghans tend to be the opposite. I promise, the food is worth the wait, but it may come out a bit slower than you are used to.
2. The food is slightly more expensive than a traditional chain restaurant, but not by much. It is meat heavy and meat is expensive.
3. Finally, Afghan food is not spicy or weird, it is just great.
Make sure to say tash-a-koor (thank you) after your meal if you want some extra brownie points :)
If you are wondering if you should come and try this food, the answer is yes! Please support this small business and tell your friends about their favorite cuisine to be. read more