Kabab Safa is a small South Iranian kabab house located within the Yellow Hat Car Services Centre in Nadd Al Hammar, Ras Al Khor. And when I say small, I mean Thumbelina size small. And boy-oh-boy is it popular. Given that there are only three tables inside, most often you are offered a seat rather than a whole table – sharing is caring. This is quite obviously an outlet geared up for takeaways and home deliveries. But (and this is where I get myself into trouble) I don’t understand what all the fuss is about.
I ordered a Mixed Grill, as I was told it included their best sellers, Koobideh, Joojeh and Masti. Kabab Safa serves you complimentary bowls of Barley Soup and Mast-o Khiyar (cucumber rita) while you wait for your food. I found the soup tasteless and over-thickened with starch, and no amount of pepper and lime made it more palatable. The second bowl was better, but that doesn’t mean it was good. In fact, I felt the yoghurt was a little too sour, its consistency too loose and runny. And hello? Where was the cucumber?
The kababs didn’t do much for me either. The Masti was okay but not a patch on Ostadi’s (now Al Ustad). The Koobideh, their bestseller, was a chewy disappointment, eclipsed only by the overcooked Joojeh.
I don’t know what more to say. Reviews I have read of Kabab Safa rave about their kababs, but what I had there today was nothing special. You want real South Iranian kababs? Try newly opened kabab masters, Al Fareej near the Awir vegetable market in the same Ras Al Khor area.
Waste NOT. Want NOT.
Instagram @ravenousxerxes
xerxes@dellara.com