Afghan restaurant and market — Restaurant in North Charleston

A Hidden Gem of Hospitality and Flavor in North Charleston:

Don't let the surrounding storefront vacancies at the strip mall on Ashley Phosphate and Dorchester Roads fool you: the Afghan Restaurant & Supermarket at 5101 Ashley Phosphate Rd is a culinary treasure worth seeking out. From the moment we stepped inside, we were immediately enveloped in warmth, treated not like first-time diners but cherished, long-time customers. This exceptional hospitality was the highlight of the evening and set the stage for the memorable meal that followed.

Eager to sample a representative slice of Afghan cuisine, we began with the Manto appetizer. This fascinating dish—a beef-stuffed wonton topped with a light, slightly tangy yogurt-based sauce—was a surprising and effective palate-opener, preparing us for the rich flavors to come.

The main event was a sizable Mixed Grill Kabob platter. It featured tender cuts of lamb, chicken, and seasoned kofta (ground beef), all grilled to perfection. The meats were consistently moist and flavorful, relying on subtle spices rather than heat (n.b. a side dish of hot sauce was available for the more daring customers, but not us). This was generously paired with the regional rice specialty, Kapoli Palow: aromatic basmati rice richly studded with shredded carrots, raisins, and savory pieces of beef. The raisins introduced a compelling sweetness that perfectly balanced the dish's seasoning.

We supplemented the main course with two sides: sautéed spinach and a yogurt-based, diced eggplant dish. While both were delicious, we favored the eggplant for its smooth, creamy texture and profoundly flavor-packed sauce, which stole the show. We finished the meal utterly satisfied—and regretfully too full to sample the dessert offerings.

Overall, the Afghan Restaurant & Supermarket blew us away. We were impressed by the authentic Middle Eastern flavors, the careful presentation, and most of all, the unwavering service and kindness of the staff. This spot is truly a hidden gem delivering an exquisite...

Restaurant is clean. Owner is excited to serve customers. Food is absolutely phenomenal. We had eggplant, spinach, manto, samosa, lamb kabob, chapli and lamb shank. Lamb shank did not have enough meat. Everything (and I mean everything) was seasoned to perfection and absolutely delicious. I loved the chapli kebab most. My young son loved the manto (dumplings with minced beef). Delicious samosas. I just was not happy to see the Little Debbie sign. Please give us authentic Afghanistan food, not American food. There are millions of American food choices here. If you focus on authentic Afghanistan, clean ingredients, you will have a bustling restaurant. We support you and hope your business flourishes in Charleston. See you again...

Wow! This brand new Afghan market and restaurant is an absolute must-try. We had the delicious meal here, starting with the kofteh kebab and chebli kebab served with fragrant caboli polo. Everything was perfectly cooked and incredibly flavorful. The side dishes were also a fantastic surprise—so tasty! And the yogurt was truly unique, unlike any I've had before. The market is also a great spot to grab some good bread and middle eastern groceries. The staff were all so friendly and welcoming, showing genuine Eastern...