MELBOURNE | Running adjacent to the rail lines on Station Street in Lalor, there’s a strip mall that’s typical of Melbourne’s primarily residential post World War II built suburbs. They’re unfussy things, providing a mixture of retail and hospitality to service the local community.
Driving past this particular strip mall a few weeks ago, I noticed a sign “Afghan Kebab House” that got me intrigued. I added it to my list and, when I found myself nearby a few weeks later decided to pop in for lunch.
Owner Roohollah and his family opened Afghan Kebab House in 2016. From the moment you walk inside the small, simple place and smell the aromas from the kitchen, you know that you’re in for a treat. In the open kitchen, there’s a large custom-built charcoal grill, lined with skewers of assorted meat and veg being barbecued. To the side, large rounds of Naan-e-Afghani are being baked to order on the tandoor.
The menu is all about traditional Afghan cuisine, with a small selection of Persian dishes from neighbouring Iran. Kebabs of juicy, tender, well seasoned meat cooked over the charcoal grill feature heavily, imparting wonderful smoke and char to many of the dishes. The mixed kebab plate – two lamb skewers, two shami (minced beef) skewers, charred tomato and chilli, atop a bed of saffron rice, is a must order.
Kabuli pulao, considered by many to be the national dish of Afghanistan, is also something you have to try. You get a mountain of fluffy, aromatic steamed rice mixed with caramelised carrots and dry raisins, with a tender slow-cooked shank of marinated lamb meat. Mix it all together and you’re in for a treat.
Mantu, the famed Afghan dumplings served in a yoghurt-based mint and garlic sauce, are another must order. Wash it all down with some doogh/aryan – cold sour fermented milk, or some Persian white grape juice.
The family also own Afghan Supermarket, and AFG Fruit & Veg Market on the same strip. They’re both worth a visit after your meal if you want to grab some high quality market-fresh produce and Middle Eastern goods.
Afghan Kebab House
334 Station Street
Lalor
Victoria 3075
Australia
Telephone: 0470 363 806
E-mail: n/a
Website
Open
Mon – Tue, Thu – Fri: 11:00am to 9:00pm
Wed, Sat – Sun: 9:00am to 9:00pm