Review: Aladin's Kebabish

Establishment: Aladin's Kebabish

Location: Hendon, London

Cuisine: Pakistani

Halal: Yes

Alcohol: No

Cost: Starter, Main, Side, Dessert & Drinks £25 (Serves 2)

Aladin's Kebabish in Hendon is well known among the asian community for serving delicious pakistani/karachi cuisine. So one sunday, bellies rumbling, appetites insatiable, we headed for Aladin's Kebabish!

For those who don't know, Aladin's Kebabish, like Bab E Khyber, is one of the original corner stones of asian restaurants in london. Est in 2004, they have consistently served top quality authentic pakistani dishes to make you salivate into next year; specializing in Karachi Nihari, Haleem, Karachi Korma, Paya (Cows Trotters), Halwa Puri/Pakistani Breakfast.

Though we were hoping to order their famous pakistani breakfast, unfortunately we arrived too late - pakistani breakfast is only served between 11am & 3pm - nonetheless, undeterred and starving we ordered some of their famous specialty dishes. We ordered: Karachi Nihari, Haleem, Channa, Paratay, Lassi & Drinks.

Karachi Nihari, Haleem, Channa, Parathay & Lassi

We didn't have to wait long for our food, service and food freshness was on point, like a fine tuned german vehicle. I don't think I can do the food any justice in my review, but honestly it is likely the best pakistani food I've had from any pakistani restaurant in london, and very likely the uk. Now I am not saying there aren't better establishments in terms of overall ambiance etc, but if you are comparing food, bring your A Game because Aladin's Kebabish are not playing. The flavour profiles and spices in the haleem along with the gloopy texture have been refined and perfected by someones great granny and the recipe has been handed down for generations it seems. Best haleem I have ever had. The nihari was as authentic and as karachi as it comes; hot, spicy, moorish gravy infused perfectly with the flavours of the shank marrow. The shank meat was juicy, sumptuous - ment in the mouth is an understatement. The channay (chickpeas) were deliciously spiced, slightly aldente, but melt in your mouth. The paratay were flaky, crispy on the outside and buttery soft on the inside.

Channa & Parathay

This place had me thinking "WHO THE HECK IS COOKING THIS PAKISTANI SOUL FOOD"... Every time the waiter went into the kitchen, I was looking over my friends head trying to see if some ancient aunty and uncle were in the kitchen with their ancient magical cook book - I came to no conclusion. Aladin's Kebebish is the REAL DEAL.

If you want the famous pakistani breakfast, get there between 11am & 3pm! Enjoy your visit, we know you will not be dissapointed.

Food: 4.8/5 Service: 4.2/5 Value: 4.7/5

Interior: 4.3/5 Ambiance: 4.3/5

HFH Rating: 4.6/5

Address: 147-149 West Hendon Broadway, Hendon, London, NW9 7EA Phone: 020 8203 9777 Website: aladinkebabish.co.uK