Kabuli Pulao — Restaurant in Washington

I consider myself an expert in Afghan food. DO NOT ORDER BOWLANEE from here. It’s a scam. For about $9 what you get is a deep fried small piece of something-filled dough. I asked for leek filling but it was potatoes. Really lazy!!

But everything else is tasty and worth the money, sort of.

It’s also not the cleanest places I’ve been - I know it’s fast food vibes but hygiene shouldn’t be compromised. I won’t sit and eat here - the surface areas looked greasy and unclean. I’d probably do a takeout again though. The rice and kabobs and the side chickpeas was close to what I am used to getting at an Afghan restaurant. A bit overpriced but what is not nowadays in DC? They just need to clean up the place a bit more....

While looking for a place to grab lunch nearby, the name ‘Kabuli Pulao’ instantly caught my eye; being Pashtoon, I couldn’t resist the pull of nostalgia. And let me tell you, it was worth every penny.

We ordered the Kabuli Meat Platter and Chopan Kabab, and the portions were generous enough to satisfy both hunger and heart. We wrapped up the meal with a cup of Shair Chae (milk tea), and it was absolutely spot-on, comforting, flavorful, just like home.

The staff was remarkably warm and welcoming, and unlike many Desi spots, there was no surprise in the form of excessive service charges. Overall, it was a wholesome experience; great food, friendly people, and honest value. Highly...

Absolutely amazing find. Kabuli Pulao is a cozy, family-run gem where the food truly tastes like home. Yasin, the father, is in the kitchen with his wife cooking everything from scratch, while their son Shahzaib welcomes you with a big smile and genuine warmth.

The chapli kebab instantly took me back to roadside grills outside Peshawar—crispy, juicy, and full of bold flavor. The mantu was rich and comforting, topped with creamy yogurt and a perfectly seasoned sauce. And the lassi with mint and cucumber? So refreshing and authentic.

You can feel the love and tradition in every bite. Can’t...