*** Update - Kabul Market has closed.
For dinner last night we dropped by another place on our regular rotation; Kabul Market.
Within the market is the House of Kabob a nice little gem on Convoy St. in the Clairemont Mesa area. Here you'll find some very tasty and reasonably priced Afghan food. In all honesty, I have no idea what Afghan food is. But I can truly say the food here is tasty. Today we had the Chapli Kabob (below) and the Chicken Kabob plate.
From what I can tell Chapli is basically (local standards) a Afghan Hamburger Steak very liberally flavored with various herbs and spices. It served with a green salad with a very tangy and tasty yogurt (again I'm guessing) dressing, rice pilaf seasoned with Sumac, Afghan Bread (Naan??), and a Chatni. All for $5.99!!!! Now I had no idea what Sumac is but here's a good description of it, we now have it at home it's an excellent additions to dressings, but like furikake' also really good on a nice bowl of rice!
(Sorry, but I'm ready to "bust-out" the Chaw-wan at the earliest sign of starch!)
The Chicken Kabob is also really good, and today it was in fine form! Soooo tasty, spicy, a little tangy, a little herbaceous.
Now service may be a little slow, but this is a Mom and Pop operation. So place your order, and shop around the market. All meat are prepared in accordance with The House of Halal, and there are many pastries, herbs, and other provisions available.
Kabul Market
4425 Convoy Street, San Diego, CA 92111
(858) 514-8682
Uh-oh...Food Coma.......
Hi Kirk,
OK. It's almost 2am here and I just happened to see this post. The food looks good and the price seems right. I just wish we had this kind of variety here. *sigh*
Posted by: Reid | Saturday, 18 June 2005 at 04:47 AM
Reid - Yes there are a good selection of Indian, Persian, and Afghan restaurants and markets in San Diego, ranging in price from inexpensive to quite expensive. So I'm being exposed to alot of new tastes. What the heck are doing up at 2am? You better get some rest, I'm sure there is alot of eating to be done!
Posted by: Kirk | Saturday, 18 June 2005 at 07:01 AM
Reid, you are truly missing it! This stuff is fabulous. I have access to lots of ingredients. And the herbs and herb mixes are CHEAP! Let me know if you want to try something, I'll get you what you need. Gotta get for now...
Posted by: Jo | Saturday, 18 June 2005 at 09:28 AM
Reid - I've made my own version of "Chapli" - I've both grilled and pan fried and I found pan frying to be better - easier to handle:
1 lb Ground Sirloin
1/2 Onion minced
4 cloves garlic minced
2 jalapeno peppers minced (more if you like hot)
1/4 cup minced cilantro
1 TB grated ginger
2 tsp ground coriander seeds
1 tsp fresh ground pepper
1-2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground cumin
I do my mincing in the food processor. Do not liquify or you'll never be able to form patties!
Mix the indgredients.
Form into patties
Grill or fry! Easy as pie!
Posted by: Kirk | Saturday, 18 June 2005 at 12:06 PM
::bats eyes:: Grill or Fry, easy as pie... Aww Kirk, yoso-Poetic! =o)
Posted by: Jo | Saturday, 18 June 2005 at 04:16 PM
Jo - I'm trying oso-hard!!!!!
Posted by: Kirk | Saturday, 18 June 2005 at 09:48 PM
How funny. I also was wondering what sumac was. I actually posted a question on the General Board in Chowhound.
http://www.chowhound.com/boards/general/messages/144649.html
Got some good answers...now I'm going to have to put it on my food next time!
Posted by: elmomonster | Wednesday, 22 June 2005 at 04:50 PM
Elmo - I've been noticing Sumac in alot of different places - especially in dressings and on salads! I'm thinking that this'll be everywhere in the near future....
Posted by: Kirk | Wednesday, 22 June 2005 at 04:55 PM
Actually, sumac is very common in middle eastern food. I'll put some in your box. The store I go to has a sort of deli/restaurant area. When you make your purchases you can order grilled meat sandwiches or platters. When you go to the back of the store, before they wrap your order, they ask if you want sumac and one other condiment that I can't think of at the moment. You say "OF COURSE! COULDN'T LIVE WITHOUT IT!" and they then sprinkle it liberally over your order.
I couldn't explain the flavor very well right now because it's been a while since I've had it. However, it is definately complimentary and I always request it. Gotta go, my kids just woke up...
Posted by: Jo | Wednesday, 22 June 2005 at 05:32 PM
You got to try this place by UCSD, Kirk. Some of the best kabobs, I've had.
It's on La Jolla Villa Drive behind the Mobil station in a store complex. By the liquor store. I keep forgetting the name.
A Mom and Pop place with small market. But the food is delicious. Usually they are out pretty quickly especially in the evening. THe also have fish on certain days.
Posted by: Didi | Monday, 03 July 2006 at 02:45 PM
Hi Didi - Could it be International Market & Grill? I've got that on my list(per Liza), but if you remember the name please let me know, I'd appreciate it.
Posted by: Kirk | Monday, 03 July 2006 at 10:19 PM
Yes, Kirk. That's the name of the place. Just went there a couple of days ago and it's still very tasty.
Posted by: Didi | Wednesday, 19 July 2006 at 09:35 AM
Hi Didi - Thanks, so that's two recommendations.
Posted by: Kirk | Wednesday, 19 July 2006 at 11:43 AM
If you go there and have lunch about 1245 or so, they start making the dinners and you can get them to go after about 1 pm...its very good.
Posted by: Cathy | Wednesday, 19 July 2006 at 01:33 PM
Hi Cathy - Thanks for the info....
Posted by: Kirk | Wednesday, 19 July 2006 at 08:34 PM
anybody notice they are serving food on Chinese style plates?
Posted by: Andy (食神) | Wednesday, 23 August 2006 at 01:52 PM
Hi Andy - We always get a good laugh at those plates/bowls....
Posted by: Kirk | Wednesday, 23 August 2006 at 07:34 PM
Hi Everyone,
This is a really random posting, I'm searching not only for good Afghan food, but also a female speaker who can come to my bookclub on Friday, September 28th at 5:00 p.m. to talk about life in Afghanistan.
Our club has read Khaled Hosseini's Kite Runner, and is currently reading his book, A Thousan Spendid Suns, for September.
If you know of a woman who would be willing to join us, and share her experiences with us, please email me.
Thank you so very much!
Posted by: Nancy Palmtag | Sunday, 02 September 2007 at 10:21 AM
I like to say Kabul Market has the best customer service, and i just loveeee there kabobs! Everything is fresh! I cant wait to get catering from there wen i get married one day iNSHALLAH..keep it up MASHHALLAH u guys are awsome.
ta shakur
khudai Paman
Posted by: Fatima | Wednesday, 13 February 2008 at 08:40 PM
Hey guys, Kabul Market now has more option on their kabob meal, everything I eat there its amazing. Oh yeah Sumac is a special seasoning that serve always with kabob and its (Dry Grapes). Guys give it a try or call for your order. I will promis you go again and I know I do.
Posted by: masood | Wednesday, 11 June 2008 at 10:59 PM