Kabab Al Hojat — Attraction in Sydney

A Culinary Journey Unveiling Hidden Delights: An Aromatic Encounter at the Aghani Oasis

Nestled within the bustling cityscape, I embarked on a gustatory expedition that transported me to the enchanting land of Aghanistan. The mysterious aromas wafting through the air tantalized my senses, hinting at a culinary affair that promised to be nothing short of extraordinary. As I stepped into the captivating realm of the Aghani Oasis, my expectations soared, eager to unearth the treasures that awaited me.

A symphony of flavors and textures danced harmoniously upon my palate as I delved into the mesmerizing gastronomic opus before me. My heart yearned for the traditional and revered Palav, and oh, how it delighted! The saffron-infused rice, adorned with tender lamb, exuded an irresistible aroma that transported me to the sun-kissed landscapes of Afghanistan. Each grain, painstakingly infused with fragrant spices, whispered tales of culinary craftsmanship handed down through generations. The tender meat, slow-cooked to perfection, effortlessly surrendered itself to the fork, melting in my mouth with a symphony of succulence.

Next, I embarked on a journey through the Kebab platter, an ensemble of delectable morsels that showcased the true artistry of the Aghani kitchen. The kebabs, lovingly charred to a golden hue, boasted a tantalizing smoky fragrance that left me weak-kneed with anticipation. Each skewer revealed an array of flavors: the lamb kebabs, delicate and tender, whispered of mountain herbs and spices, while the chicken kebabs, succulent and juicy, harmonized with a delightful medley of aromatic spices. The interplay of textures, from the firmness of the meat to the gentle yielding of every bite, was nothing short of an orchestration of pure pleasure.

But it wasn't just the food that captivated me; it was the ambiance that breathed life into the Aghani Oasis. The warm, rustic decor evoked a sense of authenticity, transporting me to the heart of Afghanistan. The attentive staff, embodying the true spirit of hospitality, guided me through this culinary voyage with grace and charm, their passion for the cuisine evident in every word and gesture.

As I savored each delectable mouthful, it became clear that the Aghani Oasis had mastered the art of preserving tradition while imbuing it with their own creative flair. It was a testament to the remarkable talent and dedication of the chefs, who showcased their virtuosity in every dish.

In the spirit of the illustrious food critic, Anton Ego, I can confidently declare that the Aghani Oasis has triumphed, creating a gastronomic haven where the soul of Aghanistan thrives. It is a place where flavors intertwine, stories are whispered through the aromas, and culinary dreams are realized. To all who seek an extraordinary dining experience, I implore you to venture into the Aghani Oasis and discover the symphony of flavors...

Merrylands in Sydney's western suburbs is home to a large Afghani population.

There is a myriad of Afghani restaurants all a stone's throw from the suburban railway station along with some well-stocked Middle Eastern grocery and butcher shops and some other restaurants with a Persian and Syrian flavour. Which isn't out of place as Afghan food is influenced by Iranian, Indian and Mongolian cuisines and ingredients.

Kebab Al-Hojat is a hole in the wall and just does kebabs. Now when Sydney siders think of kebabs that usually conjures images of the typical late-night hangover cure of a donar kebab - shaved lamb and salad with your sauce of choice all rolled up for convenience (extra paper napkins please)!

Kebab Al-Hojat is Afghani - they don't do donar kebabs. But as it is they're only speciality they do a kebab very, very well and if you don't there at about 11.30am you may have to expect to wait for a table in its small space.

The pick is the mixed kebab - you get three meats that come straight off the skewers - beef (absolutely tender and succulent), chicken (seasoned well and good), and what I would call lamb kofta which is second only to those wonderful cubes of meat mentioned before! All of this is accompanied with a basket of Afghani bread (it's similar to naan and if you haven't tried this type of bread its worth just coming here to taste it as they make it themselves), a yoghurt raita, chilli sauce and a plate of salad (usually onion, lettuce and red cabbage). There is a jar of sumac on every table so you can season your meats.

The menu is limited to the variety of kebabs they do (about six varieties including the minced plate). Order your kebab of choice and it's skewered and placed in the clay "tonir" that resembles a tandoor (none of this shaved meat stuff that is rotated for hours on end in other "kebab joints") - it's made fresh to order.

The interior is spartan but so what - you come here for food and not atmosphere and if it wasn't for the Hondas and Toyotas buzzing past outside you could be at a kebab house in Kabul.

Kebab Al-Hojat is a great place to experience Afghani street food before or after exploring the great food places that Merrylands has to offer.

And...

Changing my previous review and rating from 5 stars to 1. This place remained very dear to me for almost 6 months or so now but I have seen degraded food quality and customer treatment over time. My past two experiences have been really bad to say the least. The gentleman at the counter was pretty rude this time and he kept me waiting even though I placed order before going there and they were not that busy as well. When they got my order ready, all skewers were burnt from one side to an extent that these were not edable. To top things up, they have been telling me that grilled chilli has been added but it is always missing from the actual order. So be extra careful when you visit this place next time, check yiut food inside the box and you should be fine. As for me, I will not be visiting this place as their attitude is not worth travelling from bankstown to marryland :). For clarification, my recent order was 4 skewers, rice and two breads which is more than enough for one person and it shows that how much I loved them...