AFSAL’S RAHUMANIA BIRYANI — Restaurant in Kerala

One of the posts that is still pending from my recent vacation.

Myself and two friends, one of whom has been a friend of mine for over ten years, and the other is his friend, the writer of the Malayalam film industry Thangam, who wrote Kettoyle Aanennete Malakha and Adios Amigo. We decided to skip breakfast and visit this establishment after it was recommended by a mutual friend. We arrived at approximately twelve noon and the establishment was already quite crowded, but fortunately we were able to secure a table for the three of us. We placed an order for three mutton biryani and lemon juice.

The mutton biryani contained a generous amount of well-cooked pieces of mutton, however, it lacked in terms of flavor. The biryani itself was deficient in taste and the masala did not provide any discernible flavor to our palates. It is possible that we had higher expectations due to the recommendation we had received. The presentation of the biryani in a pot was aesthetically pleasing, however, it was noticeably missing an egg. We therefore requested boiled eggs, for which we were charged an additional fee. It is my opinion that a biryani is not complete without an egg. I did appreciate the complimentary accompaniments that were served with the biryani, such as the date pickle and onion salad. The mild sweetness of the date pickle did add a bit of flavor to the biryani. The lime juice had a slightly pinkish hue and tasted quite good. Although it is possible that the chicken biryani may have been a better choice, we were ultimately disappointed with the taste of...

Afsal RAHUMANIA in Kochi is a dining spot that offers a satisfying experience with its straightforward yet well-executed menu. During a recent visit, we opted for their chicken biriyani and fresh lime soda. The fresh lime soda was refreshing and a perfect complement to the meal, providing a crisp and tangy contrast to the rich flavors of the biriyani.

The biriyani itself was the standout of the meal. It was subtly flavored, allowing the natural taste of the ingredients to shine through. The chicken was cooked to perfection, tender and juicy, and the rice was well-spiced without overwhelming the palate. The portion size was just right for two people, ensuring a hearty yet manageable serving.

While the food quality was commendable, the ambiance of Afsal RAHUMANIA left much to be desired. The setting was rather plain, lacking any distinctive charm or atmosphere that might enhance the dining experience. However, the swift service helped mitigate this shortcoming, as our meals arrived promptly, allowing us to enjoy our food without unnecessary delays.

Overall, Afsal RAHUMANIA is a solid choice if you’re in Kochi and craving a well-prepared biriyani. Despite the unremarkable ambiance, the quality of the food, especially the biriyani, makes it worth a visit. The combination of good food and efficient service ensures a satisfactory...

Our experience at Afsal's Rahumaniya was disappointing. With the excitement of tasting their renowned biryani for my brother's wedding catering, we arrived eager and ready to savour the flavours. My family relative had coordinated with Mr Afsal himself, ensuring that our order for five mutton biryanis was confirmed ahead of time. We kept the restaurant updated on our arrival, anticipating a delicious meal.

However, upon reaching the restaurant, we faced a major letdown: they were out of mutton biryani. Understandably frustrated, we watched as they hastily scrambled to provide us with an alternative. Unfortunately, what they presented was far from satisfactory. The biryani rice was dry, the mutton pieces overcooked, and in stark contrast to the praise we had heard, the flavour simply didn’t deliver.

The service was also poor, we were seated at a table for 5 people. I had asked them to bring water for my mom and they brought just one glass. We had to repeatedly call for the waiter to bring glasses and serve water.

In the end, it was a significant disappointment, especially given all the hype surrounding the dish. It simply wasn't worth the money or the wait.

It's a loss for Afsal's Rahumaniya as we'll be booking another caterer for our function.

(Edit: It's disappointing to see the automated reply, terrible service from...