From Chicken Kabuli Pulao to charcoal-grilled kofta, this place offers an abundance of flavorful items that will please even picky eaters! 

Sometimes, it’s understandable you are in the mood to eat something different. You may want to try out some delicious Indian dishes that will satisfy both the heart and the soul. But, what if I told you to try some Afghani delicacies for a change?

The dishes from this Asian nation incorporate several ingredients from other countries – such as garam masala from India, coriander and mint from Iran, dumplings and noodles from China and even baklava from Turkey. So, for the Indian palate, Afghani food is a delicious and soul-satisfying alternative, even picky eaters in the family will be satiated with their flavourful dishes.

Afghan recipes are strongly influenced by Indian cuisine, and use spices to create that perfect sweet-savory-spicy balance that Indians love and crave. An abundance of vegetarian options, chutneys, and other side dishes seal the deal, making their flavourful offerings similar to Indian, in terms of taste and options.

We were invited by Kishmish, an Afghani restaurant in Dubai, to try out their food. It was a hot day, so we decided to start with the cool, refreshing Kandahar salad. It was a delicious mix of cucumber, tomatoes, mixed greens and feta cheese. The dish reminded us of the Indian Kachumber salad – both equally refreshing and delicious.

As we had already built up an appetite, we ordered a Chicken Kabuli Pulao and The Eskandar. The Kabuli Pulao is perfect for those looking for a dish that tastes like biryani but it is as light as a pulao. This is one of the best dishes I have tried. The chicken was perfectly cooked and I could taste the garam masala. The addition of carrots and raisins brought about a delicate balance between sweet and savoury flavours. It was delicious.

The Eskander is a charcoal-grilled kofta laid on a base of creamy yoghurt. It is topped with a spicy tomato sauce which is generously drizzled over the lamb kofta. The yoghurt adds tanginess and elevates the flavour. The koftas tasted similar to seekh kebabs, and it was complemented by a spicy tomato chutney. While the Afghan koftas were slightly different from the Turkish ones, it was the use of Indian spices that enhanced the taste of the dish. The Eskander went well with oven-hot naan.

For drinks, we ordered a Cucumber and Mint Doogh. It is essentially a watered-down version of the Indian Chaas with tiny cubes of cucumber and shredded coconut. It reminded me of the Punjabi Chaas, but it wasn’t as spicy. The refreshing drink was savoury and easy to gulp down due to its thinner consistency.

Indian expats, as well as visitors, will truly relish Afghani cuisine. Though it’s different, it will satisfy your soul. Each bite will take you back to India and its delicacies. And the best part, you can get that experience right here in Dubai.