The best way to describe newly opened Iranian restaurant, Faras K, is as a diamond in the rough. Because of the huge talent in its kitchen, it has potential to sparkle and shine but it’s not quite there yet. The talent I refer to is Chef Faranak Shafiei, who is a professional chef certified by The City and Guilds of London and a senior member of the Emirates Culinary Guild (ECG) with numerous of accolades, awards and accreditations behind her – talk about being over-qualified. And there lies the challenge – how to merge the la-di-da world of modern, professional cooking with classic, traditional Persian cuisine in a fast-food environment. It’s no wonder that she herself admits Faras K is a work in progress.
That said, there is already one amazing Iranian dish this restaurant serves which no one else in Dubai does – Kasé Kabab. Kasé, which means bowl in Persian, is Iran’s answer to the Poke, but with meat. It’s basically a kabab-in-a-bowl concoction originally from Ardabil in the North-West of Iran which has become hugely popular throughout Iran in recent years. Imagine: a skewer of hot-off-the-coals koobideh chopped up into bite sized pieces, mixed with kabab juices, some ghee (I say some because my wife may read this), sprinkled with sesame seeds and served…you guessed it, in a traditional clay pot bowl. Believe me, it is nothing less than bombastic, orgasmic – totally fantastic!
Kasé Kabab from the Traditional Ardebil Kasé Kabab restaurant in Tehran 
The original Traditional Ardebil Kasé Kabab restaurant in Tehran
Each restaurant has its own signature way of preparing its Kasé Kabab, as does Faras K, which combines several types of kabab together.
Located in the Wasl Port Views Building opposite the Ports Police Station in Al Mina, its narrow interior is bright, fast-food cheerful and spotlessly clean with little or no reference to its culinary bias. Service is friendly and accommodating but hardly what I’d call professional.
A view from the street 
The interior
Stick to the sandwiches if you’re looking for something quick and carby; the Bandari and various Kabab sandwiches sound Iranian and looked good. But if you’re looking for something special, something unique, something authentically Iranian then you must try their Kasé Kabab – it is the only thing I would go back for.
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Xerxes physically dines at, or orders from, each and every venue he reviews. He pays in full for whatever he and his companions eat, drink, take away or occasionally throw at each other. Xerxes accepts no money, gifts, discounts or free meals in return for reviews or favouritism. What you have read was NOT influenced in any way by the venue. Join me on Instagram @ravenousxerxes or email me on xerxes@dellara.com.