Afghan cuisine in Ontario is a reflection of Afghanistan’s diverse history and culture, blending influences from its neighboring countries, Persia, India, and Central Asia to create a unique and flavorful culinary tradition. From kebabs, and Kabuli Pulao to naan and lavash, Afghan food is famous for its bold flavors and unique ingredients, and pleasing taste.
In this blog, we will take you on a flavorful journey of Afghan cuisine to help you know, what is it and where you can find it in Ontario, Canada.
So, let’s delve into the topic to learn about it!
What’s So Special About Afghan Cuisines?
Like traditional food from other countries, Afghan cuisine has delicacies and conventional food items. Afghan cuisine is the food of Afghanistan, a.k.a. Pashto cuisine. What do you think makes Afghan cuisine unique? It is a beautiful blend of various cuisines from its neighboring cuisines. You can enjoy the bold flavors of Afghan cuisine in Ontario, influenced by Persian, Indian, Pakistani, and Central Asian cuisines.Â
Most dishes from these regions have similar tastes because they share the same origins and historical ties. Afghan cuisine shows Islamic heritage, so it is 100% halal. This means Afghan cuisine in Ontario must be purely halal. Now, the question is where you can get authentic Afghan cuisine in Ontario. No worries; stay with us, and we will take you there.
Afghan Cuisine in Ontario – Major Afghani Dishes
There are a number of famous Afghani dishes. Below are some of the dishes that best define Afghani cuisine:
Steamed Dumplings
There are dumplings of different varieties these are known as khameerbob; these are eaten as dumplings. The dumplings require a longer time to make the dough and are made on rare occasions like weddings or gatherings. Aushak and Mantu are famous dumplings.
- Aushak is filled with a mixture of leeks, and topped with garlic mint or garlic yogurt sauce.Â
- Mantu is filled with onion and beef or lamb, topped with tomato or yogurt sauce.
Korma
The korma is made with chicken meat, mutton, or beef. It is served with naan or rice. There are different types of korma, a few popular are stated below.
- Korma-e-gosht is meat korma that is served with rice and naan.
- Korma-e-Nadroo is prepared with lamb meat or veal and onions, yogurt, and coriander are added to it.
- Korma-e-sabzi is made of green vegetables with lamb meat.
Kabab
The Afghanistan kababs are compulsory on the menu of Afghani restaurants. Street vendor stalls also offer kababs in addition to restaurants. The chefs typically use lamb meat for making kababs because it enhances the taste.
Restaurants often serve kababs with naan and a sauce made of yogurt, coriander, mint, and a pinch of salt. Lambchop, kofta, and ribs are famous but the chapli kababs are the most desired kabab in Afghanistan. Â
Murgh-e- Afghani
Murgh e Afghani is a famous Afghani dish prepared from chicken. In this dish, the chicken is marinated with spices and cream and then cooked to serve with naan. The chicken is halal, and it is available in every Afghani restaurant and stall. Afghani cuisine does not include any haram item or ingredient.
The chicken is not prepared in Indian style and is also not served alone because of the thick gravy. Hence it is served with sauce, cream, naan, and salad. Additionally, people also prefer to eat it with rice.
Quroot
Quroot is a dairy product made of sheep or goat’s milk. You can eat it raw or with snacks. The remaining buttermilk is soured and preserved with milk, and then it is boiled. The next step includes filtering it through the cloth to separate the liquid.Â
Rice Dishes
Rice is the main food of Afghani cuisine and is also the main part of every meal for Afghani people. There are many dishes that are prepared with rice like;
- Kabuli Pulao is the national dish of Afghanistan. It is prepared with rice and meat is added to it. The dish finishes with a rain of raisins, carrots, and other dry fruits
- Yakhni Pulao is made with rice and meat is added. The stock of meat is then added to the rice to give it a brownish color. Yakhni Pulao is famous but not as much as the Kabuli Pulao.Â
- Zamarod Pulao is made with spinach qorma mixed with rice before steaming it. Zamarod is the name of the stone, and the color of Zamarod is green. The spinach gives the rice a greenish color this is why this Pulao is called Zamarod Pulao.Â
- Landi Pulao is prepared with rice and stock of chicken or mutton.
Bread
The Afghani bread is famous for its cooking style and taste. It is cooked in the tandoor (clay oven) and it is also called naan. This naan comes in different sizes and shapes. Afghanis take naan with meat and chicken and other meals too. Bread is served with all the meals except rice. Tandoori bread is soft and thick than regular bread. Â
Baklawa
Baklawa is a sweet pastry made by layering thin sheets of phyllo dough with a sweet filling. The sweet filling contains nuts, honey or syrup, and spices such as cinnamon or cardamom.
The pastry is typically cut into diamond or square shapes, and baked until the phyllo dough is crispy and golden brown. Once done, the baklawa is soaked in a sweet syrup made of honey, sugar, and water, giving it its characteristic sweet and sticky texture.
In Afghan cuisine, baklawa is often made with pistachios, almonds, or walnuts, and is flavored with rose or orange blossom water.
Firni
Firni is a popular dessert in Afghan cuisine. It is a creamy rice pudding and also a famous sweet dish. This creamy rice pudding is flavored with cardamom, rose water, and sometimes saffron. People typically serve Firni chilled and garnish it with chopped nuts, dried fruits, and rose petals.
Moreover, this sweet dish has a creamy texture and delicate flavor making it a refreshing and indulgent dessert for people of all ages.
Afghan Cuisine in Ontario, Canada
Wondering where can you find Afgan cuisine in Ontario? Don’t worry, we have the answer for you. Mentioned below is the list of ten famous Afghani restaurants where you can tantalize your taste buds with traditional Afghan taste;
- Naan Kabob in Toronto, Scarborough, Mississauga, East York, and Woodbridge
- Â Afghan Grill in Milton and Mississauga
- Â Bamiyan Kabob in Maple, Markham, East York, and Mississauga
- Â Hewad Kabab and Shawarma in St.Catharines
- Â Afghani Cuisine in Richmond Hill and Ajax
- Â Bamyan Afghan Cuisine in London, Ontario
- Â Halal Reaq in Hamilton
- Â Afghan Kebab Cuisine in Burlington
- Â Bread and Salt Afghan Cuisine in Mississauga
- Â Mezbaan Restaurant in Mepean
This is just the list of ten famous Afghani restaurants but the list continues. You can find a variety of Aghani restaurants in every city of Ontario. Most importantly, all the restaurants are halal certified and you can make an informed decision about dining out following the halal dietary requirements.
Famous Afghan Cuisines in OntarioÂ
You can find various Afghan cuisines in Ontario. I am listing some of my favorites and popular Afghan cuisines.Â
Steamed Dumplings
Dumplings, known as khameerbob, are among the most loved Afghan delicacies. These unique food items are prepared in Afghanistan especially to celebrate. You don’t have to wait for an occasion to enjoy dumplings because they are available everywhere. Aushak and Mantu are famous dumplings.Â
Wrapping Up
Afghan cuisine is a unique blend of neighboring cultures and traditions. You can taste various cultures in the same dish and enjoy Afghan cuisine’s extraordinary touch. From the famous Kabuli Pulao to mouth-watering kababs and steamed dumplings, Afghani food will satisfy your taste buds.
Moreover, you can enjoy all the traditional Afghan cuisines in Ontario from the list of restaurants we shared with you. So, if you want to explore new flavors and expand your culinary horizons, try some Afghani dishes from our recommended restaurants and enjoy the delicious taste of this vibrant cuisine.
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