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    Khan Saab Desi Craft Kitchen

    4.2 (949 reviews)
    ModeratePakistani, Halal, Afghan
    Closed 4:00 pm - 11:00 PM
    Updated 3 months ago

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    KHAN SAAB DESI CRAFT KITCHEN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Trendy
    Classy
    Upscale
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Khan Saab Desi Craft Kitchen

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    Camille S.

    The food is always wonderful, the host Cameron was very attentive to our group! My son loves it here! Best bread

    Mango Lassi
    Omair J.

    SHORT VERSION: I've tried a lot of restaurants for upscale south asian/desi food over the years, but this one is hands down my favorite - it's no surprise that they have Michelin awards year after year. LONG VERSION: I've been at least 10 times in the last 5 years and it never disappoints whether it's for an intimate dinner for 2 or a celebration dinner for 10. My parents and in-laws are always fussy about going out for desi food but as soon as my father arrives in SoCal, he always asks me "when are we going to Khan Saab?" with an intense excitement that I rarely see from him about anything else lol. I've tried every dish on the food menu through the years and everything is always a delight and joy to savor. Each item always tastes really high quality especially the proteins which are remarkably succulent. The seasoning for the curries and sauces are also always perfectly balanced so you can really enjoy the great flavors, without it being excessively oily, spicy, or overpowering like at a lot of other desi places. Each dish comes with a beautiful plating or presentation for it (see the pics/videos) which really makes it feel like a special dining experience whenever you go. It's clear the chef and owner take great pride in ensuring the quality and standard of the food they send out and so it's no surprise that they have consistently received so many Michelin awards - love that there is a halal paksitani/desi restaurant achieving this! Servers are very attentive and the restaurant feels classy but still relaxed and comfortable. The decor is very nice with all the food served in metal glasses and plates giving an authentic traditional Pakistani vibe throughout the meal. If you haven't been before, the must try item is the karahi chicken - a perfect tomato sauce, an excellent size portion to share, and it goes amazingly with their home made tandoori naans. The other items I always love to get are the chicken 65 (starter), malai chicken or smoked beef (kabobs), and the sloppy khan. Honestly though, you can confidently order anything from the menu and you won't be disappointed so just go ahead and try anything or everything that you like the sound of. All the desserts and drinks I've tried have also been delicious but I'd recommend the malai kulfi and mango lassi if I had to try just one of each. Looking forward to my next visit soon!

    Smoked Salmon Kabob
    Alma R.

    Food great, however everyone got their meal except for me. I ordered the smoked salmon kabob however I never got it. I even checked where was it along with 3 rice orders because everyone got their food already and were almost done eating. The waiter said it was coming but it turns out he never checked because EVERYONE finished their food and I still didn't have mine. We got the waiters attention again and he said he's sorry, he didn't put in the order! He said he's can comp desserts but that's not what we wanted, I needed to have my meal. Since everyone was completely finished I opted to get it to go. Guess I'll have to eat it in the car because we were already running late for another event we were attending. After a bit they actually brought the rice out. Now what was the rice for after we cancelled it because everyone was already finished eating?? What a horrible and disappointing experience. It was a noisy night because it was Saturday night, I guess to be expected.

    THE STAR OF THE SHOW
    David W.

    What does one do when they enjoy Pakistani food but nobody around them will entertain the idea of even looking at the menu? Well, you can give up but that's not how I was raised. Then what? Well, my friends, you wait until it's your birthday and your loved ones ask, "Where do you want to go for your birthday dinner?" In response you say, "I don't know, what does everyone else want to eat?" At which point, everyone will return by saying, "No David, it's your birthday, where do you want to go?" That's when you know you got them. You smile sheepishly and say in a soft voice, "How about Khan Saab Desi Craft Kitchen?" But the trick is to say it really fast so nobody quite catches what you say, leading them to instincively say, "Sure!" Now that you got half the battle won, you drive down to the restaurant and get everyone seated before they start looking around too hard. When the waiter comes to take the drink order, you go ahead and order entrees for the table. Remember, in war and in life, the first person to act usually ends up having the upper hand. Keep in mind though, when you order that you want the people in your group to have an enjoyable meal, so you ease them into the experience. You might do well to order the Beef Kabobs, Khan Biryani, Tandoori Jhinga and Tandoori Chicken, all of which newbies won't be intimidated by; save the curries for another time. After the meal, you'll be met with cheers for introduciing people to something new and delicious and even if they didn't think it was delicious they're not going to tell you that on your birthday. Sounds like a win-win to me, how about you? Keep eating delicious cuisines and kindly tricking people for their own good my friends...

    Tandoori Chicken.
    Anurag M.

    Khan Saab offers excellent and rustic Pakistani cuisine. It borrows a few dishes from the Indian repertoire like butter chicken and some vegetarian dishes. The smoked beef kebab and nihari are outstanding. The tandoori chicken and dal etc were extremely well made and complimented our meal. They are also Michelin rated.

    Lamb Rogan Josh ($20)
    Jennifer H.

    Made a reservation on a weekday for dinner, but didn't seem like it was needed as the restaurant wasn't full. We shared the Pani Puri ($7), Bhindi masala ($17), lamb Rogan Josh ($20), chicken karahi ($24), garlic naan ($5), malal naan ($6), and smoked beef kebab ($21) for 4 people. They accidentally gave us the Sloppy khan, so they comped it so that was nice. Overall this was a unique restaurant, and the flavors of the dishes were strong and with spicy kicks, but some dishes were on the salty side. The dishes were also in the small side for the price. My fave dish was the sloppy khan (flavorful beef with a crispy bread). The bhindi masala was also very flavorful, although salty. The beef kebab had a great smoky flavor, but wasn't as tender as I prefer. The lamb was pretty tender, but there weren't many pieces in the dish. The chicken karahi came in a huge pan, which was cool, but there weren't many pieces inside. It had a spicier kick than I prefer, but the chicken was tender. I personally didn't like the Pani puri (it was cold, and I particularly didn't enjoy the flavor).

    Ben L.

    We ordered 3-4 dishes but forgot taking photos. They were all tasty, and very exotic flavor. Price was not that cheap but ok level. Service was good and fast.

    Diana M.

    I had seen this place when it used to be on Resy but I hadn't tried it yet. At my work a coworker who lives in the same area I do mentioned it and how she and her husband absolutely loved it! She highly recommended it and I was already intrigued so we decided to check it out. We came for a late lunch on a Saturday but because we heard that reservations are highly recommended we had made a reservation. They have parking inside of the structure and short walk to the entrance. They have a very unique and welcoming ambiance. The moment you walk in you are transported somewhere else. We are creatures of habit and tend to order our "safe" items. In this case we asked them what was popular and what they recommended. We decided to share a sloppy khan, smoked beef kabobs, chicken karahi and garlic naan. We are glad we ordered an appetizer to share as the food took a very long time to come out. I would recommend not to come here starving and be patient. They take a while, but the quality and flavour are worth the wait. The sloppy khan was tasty and kind of reminded you of a sloppy Joe but the Indian version of it. The bread was sturdy enough to keep the shape but soft to bite and very rich in flavours. The smoked beef kabob was my absolutely favourite from presentation to the flavour. They do the smoke show at your table and present this beautiful dish with very tender meat that is really flavourful. The beef is so tender that it almost falls apart. I would highly recommend trying this. On the other hand, my bfs favorite dish was the chicken karahi which as expected is rich in flavor and has a tomato based sauce with some jalapeños. This one has a kick for sure specially if you eat the jalapeños since they have all their seeds. The sauce was delicious but spicy for me. The naan was a good size and perfect for dipping in the sauce. At the end of our meal, they bro if it up a dessert which was interesting. I don't think I've had something like it before. After googling, it seems like it is Indian cheese with some milk and flower scent. We will be back probably for dinner to appreciate the decor a bit better since it looks like it might be prettier at night and we want to try more of their dishes. We will ensure not to be hungry! A point to note is that this is an alcohol free business so you will only find virgin cocktails and sodas. To me alcohol is not needed t enjoy such a delicious meal.

    Pani Puri
    Victoria C.

    To provide context, I went here with a party of 6 people on a Wednesday night. It's a dim-lit restaurant with candles to contribute to the ambiance. When it comes to the food, I thought it was very flavorful and pretty authentic; everything seemed like it was made fresh, flavors were strong, and food came out hot. The menu has a lot of options as well, so I'm sure anyone can find something that they are interested in. Unfortunately, that's all I can say for the positives for my experience. We waited for over an hour and a half for our food. Several other parties who came after us were being served their dishes, with some of them larger than us. We asked occasionally regarding our meal status but we never were given a straight answer, apology, or any compensation for how long we waited--not even an acknowledgement of their delay or mistake as well when we pointed it out to them. If this is how it was on a Wednesday, I worry how it is going at busier times of day. Also, be mindful that they also include a 18% service fee for parties 6+. The facility wasn't packed at the time we were there so parking was easy. It is street parking though, so just be mindful when going because I know they can get busy on weekends and there's a coffee shop close by which also gets a lot of attention as well. I understand this place is popular, but other friends I know have also expressed how long their wait is usually at the restaurant. Prices are also a bit high for the portion provided, so check the menu ahead of time so you aren't surprised. Friends of mine have also expressed discontent with the service, wait times, and prices, which seems to be a recurrent issue with this place. I don't think the food and general idea of the place is bad, but until the other aspects are resolved, I don't plan to come back here

    Goat Cheese Kulcha with Butter Sauce
    Smita N.

    I only had the time to pick up a goat cheese kulcha, and it was absolutely incredible. The soft and chewy bread paired with the creamy goat cheese was perfectly complemented by the butter sauce and had me craving more.

    Butter paneer
    Kermeka D.

    This was such a good meal experience! You can park in the neighborung lot as long as you take care to read the signs and don't park in spots reserved for the attached apartment complex. The service at Khan Saab was lovely, warm, and friendly. The food takes a while to come out but we had someone from our party order while the rest of us were en route. The drinks are amazing! They are so pretty and taste wonderful. Even if you like alcoholic drinks, these mocktails taste like the real thing. We tried mango mojito and peshwar mule among others and we loved them all. It is so cool when they smoked one of the drinks at the table. The kids were mesmerized! The food is all presented in such a festive and cute way, such as pani puri as a shot glass of pani with the filled puri on top. The food tasted amazing. Not too spicy and you could taste all the flavors. The butter paneer and kulcha were among our favorites. The vegetarian biryani is not om their menu but we had some regulars with us who told us they do make it on request during the weekdays. It is served in a clay pot with a naan draped over top and then they cut it open fresh at your table. Lastly, we were too stuffed for dessert but the chai was nice and hot, poured traditional style at the table. Overall this was not only a tasty meal but a wonderful family experience we will all remember for years to come! We will definitely be back and recommend this place highly! It says a lot that it was fully packed on a weeknight.

    Pani Puri
    Jasmine Z.

    Best meal I've had all year! I've had this place bookmarked for so long and finally decided to make the trek out to Fullerton to try it with my parents. Every single dish was incredible and packed with flavor. We ordered the pani puri, butter chicken, chicken karahi, lamb chops, and the garlic naan. My personal favorite was the chicken karahi. I'm drooling thinking about this meal! An absolute must-try.

    Chana Bhatura, Palak Paneer, Garlic Naan
    Sharan S.

    This place has been on my list to try forever, and I'm so glad I finally did! There is street parking & a parking structure (however, there are limited spots in the structure because it's shared with the apartment complex - can only park in the "RETAIL" spots fyi!) My friend and I ordered the Pani Puri to start - very flavorful & salty!! We liked it a lot, wish there was a tangy or spicy sauce to it for added flavor (our preference). We also ordered the Dirty Sprite (lime + mint lovers will enjoy this drink!) & a mango lassi (perfectly sweet, very creamy), both are non-alcoholic. For our entrees we ordered Palak Paneer & Chana Bhatura with Garlic Naan. Palak Paneer was great- super flavorful, nice amount of Paneer cubes to Palak & the Chana Bhatura was also super great - has a spice kick to it but is very good!! Garlic Naan was fluffy, toasted, soft yet crispy vibes - we loved it! our server was also very kind and attentive, we would definitely come here again!

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    Page 1 of 24

    Khan Saab Desi Craft Kitchen Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Khan Saab Desi Craft Kitchen

    Can I bring my own wine, since you don't serve it? If so, what is the corkage fee?

    This is a Muslim restaurant with fabulous food and no booze allowed. The Mocktails are also wonderful so be happy with those. You can always order food to go and enjoy Wine at home.… Read more

    Is your restaurant pet friendly?

    Do you havs ramadan iftar buffet?

    No buffet. But the food is reasonable and plentiful.

    Are there heat lamps outdoors?

    Yes they did set up heaters for us when we were there

    Do you cater?

    Of course. What is your email address? I will send you information. Stephanie Rocha (949)… Read more

    Do you guys take reservations?

    Yes. If you are having trouble making reservations through OpenTable, please call the restaurant directly at (714) 853.1081

    Food looks amazing. I d love to take my wife here for our Anniversary. Problem is we've never had Indian food before. Can anybody recommend dishes that are sure to please?Thanks In advance

    Definitely the smoked kebab. It's entertaining just in presentation but the flavor is outstanding and you can feel the smokiness. The chicken Karahi is also wonderful. I would say you should order at least these two items. Portion sizes are not… Read more

    Do they serve real alcohol drinks or only alcohol free kinds?

    Non alcoholic / mock tails when we were there

    Do you have outdoor dining?

    Yes. A few tables on the outside gor patio dining

    Is the meat served at this restaurant halal?

    Yes! Everything is halal

    Are there any Vegan options?

    Hi Arron, yes we do. Our menu has variety of vegan items. Go to our khan Saab website there’s more information as well. Thanks and hope to see you soon at khan Saab.

    Is it Zabihah halal? Hand cut chicken or machine cut?

    My husband went there lately was told that the chicken is from the Wayne Farms. Thus, to the best of my knowledge, it is most likely machine slaughtered. The owner can confirm.

    Is the food Zabiha Halal? Hand cut? If so, what are your source?

    I don't know about the source of beef. However, my husband visited the restaurant lately was told that the chicken is from the Wayne Farms. Thus, to the best of my knowledge, it is most likely machine slaughtered. The owner can confirm.

    What time do you open today?

    5pm

    Is it halal?

    Yes - even our Waygu beef steaks!

    Are they fully open now? And yelp is showing only dinner hours. Are they open for lunch this Saturday?

    Official opening is feb 20. But they are open 5-9 on the weekends from what I hear. You should confirm before you go.

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    Food 5/5 Service 5/5…read more Ambiance 5/5 I have been dining in for many years. They just opened again for lunch buffet it was good . $16.99 I recommend it They are open for lunch buffet and ordering from 11 am to 3

    TLDR: Unassuming from the outside, eccentric from the inside. The food is what I expect from…read morerestaurants. Something that I cannot make, something that I've tried, yet the establishment still finds a way to give me a different and enjoyable experience. Boneless Chicken and Beef Koobideh Combo: One of the most dangerous things to order, as both things can either come out as dry, or start off as great, then dry up before you can finish. None of those scenarios happened here. The chicken was soft, juicy, seasoned very well, and it stayed that way. The beef koobideh had this smoky flavor profile, which is different from what I normally expect, and I liked it. Potato Boloni: I've never had boloni in my life, and the closest comparison I have is a Chinese or Korean pancake. The boloni had areas of spiciness, and I think it had room to go higher. It's definitely an appetizer, and I won't mind having it again. Service: There were only 2-3 occupied tables when we went. I think the staff had plenty of time to take our orders, give us water, and the food arrived within a reasonable time. Ambiance: You could tell that the restaurant was designed to host wedding receptions or larger parties in mind. Stage, lights, and a bunch of stuff that may be overwhelming for some. I didn't mind. Good food is all that matters.

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    Afghan Kabob House - Borani Banjan (egg plant with tomatoes and spice and cream.

    Afghan Kabob House

    4.7(173 reviews)
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    This was the first, but definitely not my last time trying authentic Afghani food…read moreAt Afghan kebab house out in Downey, California you're gonna find giant family size platters that will feed generations I'm talking mountains of long grain, rice, perfume, and robust and aromatic spices Grilled kebabs that are season two perfection that are equally as succulent And of course you got the Afghani tendernism with a whole lamb shank buried in all that rice that was mouthwatering, especially with their assortment of signature homemade sauces The Borani banjan (eggplant) was one of the most flavor packed bites of the night and that's saying a lot because everything was on point. You got this intensely, savory eggplant, doused, and yogurt and seasoned oil and when you grab some with some of the homemade flatbread, this is some special stuff right here

    This is such a great hidden gem. When you first enter, you are greeted with the nicest staff, and…read morethe guy was super helpful and friendly. I got the family feast and it was absolute perfection. My favorites being the crispy potato and leek bolani, chicken karahi, and obviously the kabobs. The dishes are so incredibly flavorful that I didn't even feel like I needed to use the sauces provided. I like how theres a kick to the dishes, but they're cut by the yogurt. I really appreciate that as someone who cannot handle that much spice. The meat is so incredibly tender and flavorful. Additionally, they have a soda fridge to pick your drinks from as well, and they had really good options there as well. I just liked how everything felt so cozy and familial. It is such a great spot to dine at in Downey.

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    Lamb kabob on naan bread

    Afghani Food International Market & Restaurant

    Afghani Food International Market & Restaurant

    4.4(56 reviews)
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    My mom has been wanting to check this place out and so glad we did! I wasn't too hungry but wanted…read moreto spend time with her. We went on a Wed at 4:30 and we had the whole place to ourselves. There was someone mopping so you know it's clean. The owners were very kind and the chef recommended the lamb and chicken over a bed of rice with chicken and raisins. We also split a Greek salad. The entree was so delicious! And they had some yummy sauces, not needed but added extra flair. The lamb was my favorite and my mom favored the chicken. There was enough for leftovers. My husband had a bite when I got home and loved the chicken, now he wants to go! So we will be back! Price was very reasonable for his yummy it was and the wonderful staff.

    We came here for a lunch and this place surpassed my expectations. Upon entering the establishment,…read morethe place was nearly empty and appeared like a catering place for events with plenty of seating and an empty buffet area near the back. There was also a little grocery/market section on the side. Promptly the waiter came over and seated us and took our order. We had the mantu, chicken seekh tikka naan, and qabuli palow. Everything we had was full of flavor that's in harmony. The mantu was soft, creamy, and savory with slight tanginess. The meat from lamb shank was falling off the bone and the rice beneath absorbed its juices. This dish was fantastic but don't sleep on the chicken because it was moist and seasoned perfectly with the spices. This place is a keeper.

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    Afghani Food International Market & Restaurant
    Afghani Food International Market & Restaurant
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    The best lunch ever. I had the Zardaloo chalow with the lamb. It was stewed in fresh apricots and…read moreserved next to fluffy basmati rice. It felt very fancy and was one of the most exotic things I have eaten in a long time. We also got the dolmas (grapes leaves) and the Bolani (turnover stuffed with leek and potatoes) as an appetizer. The dolmas were ok, but the bolani was exceptional, like a leek and potato quesadilla but lighter. It was hard to put into words. Just order it and enjoy! Lastly, for drinks we got a Cherry Blossom Tea (Sheer Chai). Again, it tasted like nothing I have ever ordered before, which is hard to do because we are adventurous eaters. It tasted like cream straight from the cow mixed with a cherry blossom-y and strawberry-ish Chai flavor+ black tea flavor. One of the best drinks that I have experienced in 2025 by far. For the La Jolla neighborhood and how fancy the inside feels, the prices were similar to any regular sit down restaurant. Quite the bargain for the bouquet of flavors and beautifully executed dishes that we had. I would definitely recommend them.

    Beautiful hospitality. Eating inside is a wonderful…read moreexperience. The food is rich, fresh and flavorful. I would recommend this place to anyone who would like to try authentic Afghan food. Try everything on the menu at least once and pick your favorites.

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    Pamir Kabob House - The seating and the view is so beautiful  Open windows and amazing breeze.

    The seating and the view is so beautiful Open windows and amazing breeze.

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    Khyber Pass Zarparan - Cover photo

    Khyber Pass Zarparan

    4.4(968 reviews)
    89.1 miHillcrest
    $$

    Incredible restaurant in the heart of Hillcrest! So hearty and flavorful - absolutely adored…read moreeverything we ordered: - mantu: topped with ground meat, these were so savory and delicious - aushak: bright flavor profile from the leeks made it a perfect pairing for the yogurt dill sauce - aush: comfort food soup with noodles! - the chicken and beef were spiced + charbroiled to perfection. too good with the upgraded raisin carrot rice. accompanied with heart and a spicy pepper. the service was amazing. absolutely above and beyond. the dining room featured high ceilings and unique art. can't wait to return.

    I was planning a lunch date with a dear friend today, and she mentioned she'd never tried Afghan…read morefood. Since we were going to be in Hillcrest, we chose Khyber Pass - and wow, what an incredible decision. This was easily some of the best food I've had in a very long time. We started with the Bolani. Absolute perfection. It had a beautiful crunch, perfectly seasoned filling, and none of that sogginess I often run into with Bolani elsewhere. We could've ordered another plate and been thrilled. Next came the Aushak with ground beef: one of my all-time favorite Afghan dishes. Think of it like delicate leek-filled ravioli topped with savory meat and tangy yogurt. It hit all the right notes. We also shared the Kofta Kabob, served with grilled vegetables and fluffy basmati rice. The seasoning was spot on, and the meat was juicy and tender, similar to Persian koobideh, but truly memorable in its own way. Our server recommended the Afghan Yaghoot Chalao (Cherry Curry) with chicken. Yes, cherries! Sweet, sour, rich, bright. I had to resist the urge to literally lick my plate clean. And then: the Qabuli Palao with lamb. I do not like lamb. My friend loves it, so I agreed...and I'm so glad I did. I genuinely loved this dish. The saffron-coriander rice with carrots and raisins was aromatic and comforting, and the lamb was tender and flavorful. If you're hesitant about lamb, trust me, this dish might convert you. Portions were generous, we came hungry, and still left with leftovers. I also ordered the house-made Doogh, a mint yogurt drink. It's not for everyone, but it's pure comfort to me. We finished with hot tea infused with cardamom, black for me, green for my friend, and it was the perfect close to a perfect meal. I told our server that this food was even more delicious than what my mother makes. I'm Afghan born and raised in San Diego. That is not a compliment I give lightly. I believe the restaurant is under newer management since around 2020/2021. I last ate here in 2015, and even back when it was on Convoy in the late '90s, and this is the best it has ever been. I highly, highly recommend Khyber Pass to anyone: adventurous eaters, first-timers, comfort-food seekers, well everyone. I'll definitely be back, and next time I'm saving room for dessert.

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    Khyber Pass Zarparan
    Khyber Pass Zarparan
    Khyber Pass Zarparan

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