Picture from Kabab Kolony’s FB fan page
Location and First Impressions:
It is love at first sight. Masood and I have lunch at this newly-opened (three or four months back, so still pretty young) restaurant at Karama one pleasant, sunny afternoon. The moment I enter its bluish-green wooden door, I feel like I’m transported to an era of Bollywood when BigB was still young and wore yellow a lot. The Hindi music playing in the background, the red bricks, the framed pictures and advertisement from the 60s and 70s—they all contributed to the unique ambiance of Kabab Kolony.
It’s a small, cozy restaurant that can probably accommodate not more than 50 people at a time. I send them an e-mail beforehand asking what time the restaurant will be least busy so that I could take pictures without disturbing others and they suggest somewhere 12:30-1:30 pm. I’m glad I asked them first because I’ve never felt so comfortable taking pictures in a restaurant!
Parking is a bit of an issue though. We arrive around 1 pm and do not find a parking in front of the restaurant so we drive all the way to the back.
The Food
Dhoom. This is my childhood favorite nimbu pani, a sweet and salty lime soda that reminds me of the many hot summer afternoons in Karachi, that humid weather just before monsoon kicks in. This drink, with a hint of mint, is a must-try. AED 8.
Dishoom. It’s like a pink lemonade, but contains pineapple and lots of crushed ice. This is OK but not as good as Dhoom. This is Masood’s drink that he wants to trade with my Dhoom. I say no way, of course. Just kidding. AED 8.
Chapli Bun Kabab. Chapli kebab is a patty made from beef mince, and is one of the popular barbecue meals in both Pakistan and Afghanistan. The word Chapli comes from the Pashto word Chaprikh which means flat. Kabab Kolony serves a mildly-spiced chapli kabab in a bun with mayo sauce and fried egg. AED 10
Shami Bun Kabab. Traditionally, shami kababs are made from beef mince too, but the ones served at Kabab Kolony is chicken. The kabab is really soft and flavorful. I prefer this over the chapli kabab. AED 10
Note: I expected both kababs to contain the fiery mint chutney that bun kababs are famous for. I suggest you tell the staff taking your order to add the chutney and make the kababs more spicy.
Mutton Biryani. This biryani, surprisingly, tastes a lot like those served in Karachi! But the heat is tempered down a bit so even my mother—who can not tolerate spicy food—could eat this biryani. The meat is nice and tender. The serving is really generous. AED 17
KK Dhamaka Chicken Boti. Freshly-grilled pieces of tender and juicy chicken tikka pieces to be enjoyed with hot paratha. This is recommended by the Peach, one of their friendly staff, and although it isn’t the best one we’ve ever had, we still love it. Chicken boti is AED 22 and paratha is AED 3.
Kheer. Not photographed because we eat it later in the office. Really good! Masood and I shared one serving and wish we ordered another one. AED 6
Overall Impression
Kabab Kolony is a fun, casual, and friendly place. The staff is friendly and attentive. The decor will definitely keep you busy while you wait for your food to arrive. The food is good but I am a little disappointed that it is served in styro plates and plastic cups that make us feel like we’re eating at a mall’s food court. I hope they plan on using proper plates, cutlery and glasses soon.
Kabab Kolony
Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Road, Opp Spinney’s Super Market
Karama, Dubai
04-358 33 88
Official Website and Menu
Awesome!!! But I still miss the Bun Kabab of Karachi:)
I agree!
OMG I’m getting hungry now. Thanks for the suggestion; am definitely interested in trying this place out now. Nice pics
I’m quite shameless, I just keep clicking no matter where I am haha 
Devina Divecha recently posted..A Chocolate-gasm of epic proportions
Thank you, Devina!
LOL I’m so jealous – I want to be shameless too. I keep missing great photo ops
hello, nadia …
you wrote a very good restaurant review (lols!) here, a fair report on the food and service in kabab kolony. ikaw na ang reporter, ahaha…
i have a new site already with new posts in it. but am still thinking about activating it na, haha… anyway, am still writing a lot, if writing is the question…
i have to decide whether i can afford to have two sites in the months to come. hope you and masood are well… nami-miss ko ang comments mo, hah…
Hello San! Thank you so much. Yeah, I like to pretend to be reporter sometimes
You have a new site already with new posts in it and you haven’t activated it yet?! That is so unforgivable! Paano naman kaya ako magco-comment? Please provide the link asap.
Masha’Allah! Everything looks delish!!! Oh wait, I haven’t taken my dinner yet.
Hajar Alwi recently posted...: Ipomoea aquatica :.
Hajar! How are you? I responded so late to your comment that I’m sure you already had dinner + next day’s breakfast and lunch
I recommend Tundey’s Kebab of Lucknow, India.
Though you wont be getting a great (Or even satisfactory) ambiance, the kebabs served there are heavenly.
You may like to read about the Awadhi Cuisine -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Awadhi_cuisine
Dev recently posted..What a lizard taught me about letting it go
Thanks for the recommendation, Dev. I’ve made a mental note to try Tundey’s kebab.
I love reading your reviews. You’re the one who inspired me to write reviews about Egypt you know, so I’ve got you to thank for that:) Love visiting your blog, feel like I’m touched with a ray of sunshine every time. Not just saying that at an attempt at flattery, I’m serious. Don’t let it be too long before your next post.
Londoneya recently posted..Chaos Returns to the Motherland
Aww, that is so sweet of you to say, Londoneya! *blush* Now you touch me with a ray of sunshine too
PS: I am a HUGE fan of your writing and photography. So your compliment means a lot.
Aww thank you!!! That means so much to me too!
Please don’t make me anymore hungry, please please please!
Sajib recently posted..My Photo Did Not Make it
Ok, I wont
He he, Thanks.
The thing is, even if these photos make me hungry, there is no way I can enjoy them as they are not available in Bangladesh. Even if they are available, it would take me to 3-to-5 star hotels to enjoy them which would literally make me bankrupt!
Sajib recently posted..What Made Me Make That Fancy Christmas Banner
Chicken Boti ….
mmmmmm!
Mezba recently posted..Chapter 55 – Ar Rahman (The Beneficent) – Verses 19 – 28
I’m working on trying to create the perfect chicken tikka boti. Let’s see how it goes. But your wife’s roasted chicken looks so professionally done! Which reminds me, I was planning on asking her the recipe for those.
Food in UAE is the best!
Mezba recently posted..Chapter 55 – Ar Rahman (The Beneficent) – Verses 19 – 28
I agree, Mezba!
Assalamualaikum wa Rahmatullah Nadia.
Awesome post! I wish, insha Allah, I will be able to cook all these wonderful things one day
Walaikum assalam wa rahmatullah, Familycook. Oh, I wish to learn how to cook the perfect tikka too
I’ve always driven past this place, and now I realize I should’ve stepped in to try! I can’t get over the fact that (a) you emailed them and (b) they ACTUALLY RESPONDED! haha…kudos to Kabab Kolony…try Chatkhara, similar food, would be interested in your reactions. There are a ton of such Pakistani fast foody kabab joints that are popping up everywhere…
And they also posted a comment on this blog. That’s how awesome the people behind Kabab Kolony are!
Chatkhara noted. How can I resist that gorgeous bun kabab photograph you posted on your blog!
I want that Mutton Biryani!
Micamyx|Senyorita recently posted..A Crazy, Sexy and Fun Travel Week with Alex!
Come visit us, Mica. ’tis the season to be in the UAE
Thanks Nadia for the lovely post and awesome pictures…and thanks everyone else for the comments on our yummy food and for those of you who haven’t tried us yet…do drop in sometime
Nadia, We were glad to serve you and hope to see you and Masood again soon, Inshallah. In response to your mention of “throw away dishes”: Kabab Kolony is ‘ Desi Fast Food’ so everything is served in disposables like any other fast food place. It is also self service but our staff sometimes feels shy asking the customer to come and order/collect at counter…we are still working on it! haha! We also thought of having such plates/cups because of the hygiene factor involved. (therefore the window overlooking the Kitchen too)
We are starting “Halwa Puri Nashta” (starting at 17 Dhs per head) this Friday! So hope to see you there
Khanum recently posted..Halaat Kahani
very good review! I have always wished to visit Dubai once in a lifetime and I will definitely visit this place when I go to Dubai. Thanks for sharing this detailed blog post.
John T. recently posted..Propiedades del alpiste.
i want to come there in kabab kolony and i m a Pakistani chef name M.Arif
i want to perform my skills there
i have experience to do job as a chef in Malasiya Kolalampur Mehran Hote and Elegant..
and then go to Saudia Arabia Jeddah Nesma trading co. ltd
please reply me
i m waiting
… thakns
regaurds
faraaz imran
Personally i do not like chicken but i after i saw in this review from Nadia I am going to eat chicken malai boti of kabab kolony i am coming to Dubai in the August 2012 then i will come to Kabab kolony to eat everything …..
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