Hossein's Persian Kebab — Restaurant in Makati

It's sad that this is supposed to be the best "Persian" restaurant in the Philippines. I am Persian and I can tell you that the food was rancid.

I came here when it wasn't busy at all. At least 3 people were working in the restaurant, yet nobody cared to greet me. That was a red flag no matter how much the chef was boasting about his restaurant in different food review articles and awards he had received as the best chef. So I did have very high expectations.

I decided to order chelo Kabab soltani (1 barg + 1 koubideh) and plain "homemade" yogurt.

I was served saffron rice without any butter. The meat came without any sumac nor raw onions (Persian style) which to me is a total deal breaker! How could you serve Kabab without the raw onions? I naturally asked for these basic side dishes and by the time they brought it, the food had already gotten cold. The onions were also cut in thin slices which is NOT how it's supposed to be if it's a Persian dish. The onions must be cut into big chunks. Not slices. But I was hungry so I didn't mind, although it was unprofessional.

Kabab Barg is supposed to be thin, tender and moist - instead mine was served chunky, greasy and thick, all drenched in oil. The butter that I asked for did not taste like butter but rather like a cheap substitute. I can bet my life it wasn't butter. The kobideh tasted nasty. I couldn't eat it. There were chunks of onions in it! How on Earth did that happen? The onion is supposed to be grated, almost liquified! You're not supposed to feel the onion. Maybe that's the Arabic way of preparing kababs, who knows?

The only delicious part of my meal was the Persian homemade yoghurt. It reminded me of my mother's homemade yoghurt. It was really delicious eating the yoghurt together with Sumac seasoned rice.

Any restaurant that tries to do Middle Eastern (Arabic + Levantine), Greek, Turkish, Persian and Indian cuisine all at once is doing it all wrong. So why lump in completely different cuisines into the same dish? Persian cusine is quite different from "Arabian", Levantine and Eastern Mediterranean cuisines. Why this unnecessary categorization? For example, houmus and falafel are not Persian. I repeat: HOUMUS AND FALAFEL ARE NOT PART OF PERSIAN CUISINE. Yet this place makes it acceptable - In other words, it's making people believe that Persians eat couscous or that houmus is Persian too.

Also Mast-o-Khiar is NOT the same as the Greek Tzaziki! Just because it's mixed with cucumber doesn't mean it's the same dish. Mast-o-Khiar is more liquid, sour and minty whereas Tzaziki is garlicky, creamy and made out of strained yoghurt. Also Tzaziki doesn't go well with Persian rice because it's too stiff.

Anyways, it wasn't good at all. The one star is...

Was longing to have my taste buds indulge in Arabic food in Manila

Saw this restaurant

Elegant, has several sections Shisha ,kebab,.. The one I went was situated upstairs

The ambience where the seating were great, that reminds me if the middle eastern vibes

It say Hossein’s Persian Kebab- and in Arabic it’s written- halal and Iraneey, yet the irony is that they serve Alcoholic beverages. I hope the meat is Halal cut.

They have parking right in front , has public comfort rooms Was wondering how if a wheel chair person wanna get to this place will access up here.???

Tried the shawarma- beef 🥩 It was juicy, tender, mild and not strong Yes I liked it and would recommend this place

Yet the attitude of some of the filipino staffs were like offending, as if they were looking at the customers in executive dress and were like welcoming them in an extravagant way- no offense , but all who reach here are customers, they all pay the same amount not any less So was looking at the discrimination displayed by some of the Filipino waiters Were asking for tabasco, yet they were blabbering and speaking among them , guess they have major issues to sort out. I feel they should take a leave and sort things out and only when they are ready shall they resume the duty ready to serve the customers 😉

May be they really wanna have a tip by their pleasing appeal!!! Anyways The food was great apart from the discriminative waitresses and waiters not...

The best Middle Eastern food in the Philippines!

Hossein's uses only the highest quality meats which is what separates it from the other Middle Eastern restaurants in the country. The lamb is imported fresh from Australia and you can tell it in every bite. The Lamb Biryani and Lamb Kubbideh are outstanding and are my go to dishes.

The naan, meat samosas with mango chutney and grilled vegetables (tomato and chill peppers) are all excellent!

Mango lassi, watermelon shake, espresso and Four Seasons are all great drinks.

The service is also outstanding and many of the staff I have known for many years because the turnover is very low.

Having lived in the Middle East for 15 years, I can say that at Hossein's you will be served authentic and flavorful food worthy of being in Dubai, Bahrain or Saudi Arabia.

Highly recommended if you want the best quality Middle Eastern food. There are plenty of less expensive Middle Eastern places to eat in Makati and throughout Metro Manila but you get what you pay for so choose what is most important for you and...