Enjoying Panjshir Restaurant
Deciding to roam out of my comfort zone, I chose to experience the Afghan cuisine and went to Panjshir in Falls Church, Virginia, Zagat rated for its authentic Afghan food. Curious as to what the name of the restaurant meant, I found out “Panjshir” is a province of Afghanistan. The place was quaint. One of the tiniest restaurants I’ve ever been to, I can’t imagine more than thirty people in there at a time. Located downtown, it was off a main street. The staff was very attentive and tight knit. The menu offered many wonderful dishes. I wanted to try a bite of everything.

As an appetizer, I ordered a plate of “Muntoo.” Muntoo is dumplings stuffed with ground beef, then topped with yogurt, traditional Afghan seasonings, and meat sauce. The restaurant served a complimentary house salad, which consisted of iceberg lettuce, tomato, and cucumber, with a yogurt-based dressing. I ordered a bowl of soup, called “Mashawa.” It was an amazing bean based soup, with yogurt and ground beef, sprinkled with mint. My entrée was called “Kebab E-Degee.” These were skewers with grilled beef, onions, and green peppers served over a sauce made of onion, fresh spices, and a touch of sour salt, with a side of sautéed potatoes topped with a tomato-based sauce. I was given more than enough fresh nan to accompany my dinner, and they still offered more. Unfortunately, I had to decline dessert, but I would have loved to try the baklava. The whole meal was unbelievable, to the point where I searched for the recipes online when I got home.

Apart from what I ordered for dinner, I noticed that their menu was abundant with lamb. In addition, many of the dishes used yogurt and were served with rice. Afghan food is often topped off with mint, as well as being cooked with the traditional Afghan seasonings. The food is never too spicy or too bland, as they’ve mastered a perfect balance with their spices.  Now, when I think of the typical Afghan cuisine, lamb, yogurt, rice, and mint come to mind. The Afghan diet and “food culture” is so far off from my own. For one, they eat much healthier, despite the abundance of red meat. They are obvious meat lovers, yet they still have a vegetarian section in the menu. There were also at least two vegetables served with every dish. I doubt that any of the spices they use could be found in my kitchen. Their ethnic style of cooking at Panjshir is done just as it is in their homeland, using the same techniques and ingredients.

The experience was truly authentic. Their hospitality went above and beyond my expectations, which is obviously very important in their culture, especially when serving people food in their own home or business. From my visit to Panjshir for dinner, I learned that the people of Afghanistan are warm, welcoming, and great cooks! I can’t wait to return to Panjshir to try the rest of their menu and further expand my food palette.

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Deborah Moss is a full-time student at George Mason University in Fairfax. She is pursuing a degree in Community Health, with a concentration in Global Health. Deborah is an avid animal lover. She lives with her family and pets in South Riding.

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