Balkh Shish Kabab House – Middle Eastern
The air at Balkh Shish Kabab House is thick with the intoxicating scent of spiced meats charring over an open flame, drawing diners into a warm sanctuary of old-world hospitality. Succulent skewers arrive glistening and tender alongside mounds of fragrant, jewel-toned rice, creating a sensory feast that celebrates the rich, smoky traditions of the Silk Road. Every meal, anchored by the comfort of pillowy naan and cooling herbs, offers a soulful escape that lingers long after the last bite.
23-10 31st Street +1-718-721-5020 http://places.singleplatform.com/balkh-shish-kabab-house/menu?ref=googleRating: 4.4/5 (639 reviews)
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Price range: $
Dietary options: halal, high-protein, vegan, vegetarian, keto, low-carb, whole30, pescatarian, paleo, heart-healthy, low-sodium, plant-based, low-fat, anti-inflammatory, atkins, south-beach, dash-sodium-reduced, low-cholesterol, gerd, high-fiber, carnivore, tlc, alkaline, aip, renal, volumetrics, zone, macrobiotic, slow-carb, lectin-free
What diners are saying
Celebrated for its authentic Afghan cuisine and warm hospitality, this long-standing gem delights diners with tender, perfectly grilled kebabs and succulent lamb shanks. Guests rave about the flavorful Kabuli Pulao, crispy Bolani, and fresh naan, often noting that the generous portions offer excellent value despite isolated concerns about pricing. The atmosphere is described as cozy and welcoming with traditional seating, while the owner and staff are consistently praised for their attentive, personal service that has kept loyal customers returning for decades.
Menu
Appetizers
All Appetizers Served with Minted Yogurt Sauce
- Manto - $6: Beef meat dumplings with curry sauce and yogurt Dietary tags: Halal
- Samosa - $3: Fried dumplings filled with seasoned ground beef Dietary tags: Halal
- Bolanee Gandana - $4: Fried turnovers filled with scallions, herbs and spices Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Plant-Based
- Bolanee Kachalou - $4: Fried turnovers filled with mashed potatoes, herbs and spices Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian
- Bolanee Kadu - $4: Fried turnovers filled with mashed pumpkins, herbs and spice Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Plant-Based
- Borani Kadu - $5: Fried pumpkin with homemade sauce served with afghan bread Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Plant-Based
- Bandanjan Borani - $5: Fresh fried eggplant with homemade sauce and yogurt Dietary tags: High-Protein, Halal, Low-Sodium, South-Beach
- Aushack - $5: Boiled dumplings filled with scallions, herbs and spices Dietary tags: Halal, Pescatarian
- Aashe Brida Balkh - $3: Afghani spaghetti cooked with small lamb meat balls Dietary tags: Halal
Soup of the Day
- Soup of the Day - $2: Mix veggie with chicken soup Dietary tags: Halal, Low-Sodium
Entrees
Served with Rice and Salad
- Queil - $15: 3 pieces of queil with balkh's special marinating served with rice and salad Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Macrobiotic
- Chiynaki Gosfond - $15: Fresh lamb meat baked on oven with fresh tomato and onion. served with afghan bread and salad
- Tikka Kabab - $9: Chunk of lamb balkh's special marination Dietary tags: High-Protein, Keto, Low-Carb, Whole30, Paleo, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, Atkins, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Carnivore, TLC, AIP, Renal, Slow-Carb, Lectin-Free
- Keema Kabab - $9: Grilled ground beef balkh's special marination
- Chicken Kabab - $9: Chicken breast with balkh's special marination Dietary tags: Whole30, Paleo, AIP, Lectin-Free
- Chicken Tandoori - $9: Chicken legs balkh's special marination
- Chicken Boneless - $9: Chicken breast balkh's special marination Dietary tags: High-Protein, Keto, Low-Carb, Whole30, Paleo, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, Atkins, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, Carnivore, TLC, AIP, Renal, Slow-Carb, Lectin-Free
- Chabli Kabab - $10: Fried sauteed chopped meat oven baked Dietary tags: Lectin-Free
- Lamb Shing - $9: Special afghani lamb meat Dietary tags: Whole30, Paleo, AIP, Lectin-Free
- Ribs Kabab - $10: Lamb chops balkh's special marination
- Fish Kabab - $9: Fresh salmon fish balkh's special marination Dietary tags: Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, Atkins, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, Carnivore, TLC, Alkaline, AIP, Macrobiotic, Slow-Carb, Lectin-Free
- Combo Kabab - $9: Boneless chicken, lamb tikka and beef keema Dietary tags: Keto, Low-Carb, Whole30, Paleo, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, Atkins, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Carnivore, TLC, AIP, Renal, Slow-Carb, Lectin-Free
- Laundy (Dry Meat) - $15: Dry meat with balkh's special marination Dietary tags: Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, GERD-Friendly, Zone, Volumetrics, TLC, Renal
- Kabli Palow - $10: Basmati brown rice with lamb meat and side order of lamb curry Dietary tags: High-Protein, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, TLC, Renal
- Kabli Kofta - $10: Basmati brown rice with carrots, raisins and beef meat balls Dietary tags: High-Protein, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, TLC
- Korma Palow - $10: Basmati brown rice with side order of beef meat curry Dietary tags: Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, GERD-Friendly, Volumetrics
- Korma Chicken Palow - $10: Basmati brown rice with chicken meat balls and side order of chicken curry
- Kofta Palow - $10: Basmati brown rice with side order of beef meat balls
- Sabzi Palow - $10: Basmati brown rice and side order of spinach with lamb curry
- Korma Chalow - $10: Balkh white rice with side order of lamb curry
- Dupiaza - $10: Lamb meat with half fried onion served with balkh white rice Dietary tags: High-Protein, Halal, Low-Sodium, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Renal
Balkh Special Entrees
- Tikka Kabab and Kema Kabab - $13: Stick of chunks on lamb and a stick of ground beef served with basmati rice raisin/carrot and salad Dietary tags: High-Protein, Halal, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, TLC
- Morgh Kabab and Chicken Kabab - $13: Stick of boneless chicken and stick of chicken kabab served with basmati rice, raisin/carrot and salad Dietary tags: Halal
- Tikka Kabab and Ribs Kabab - $14: Stick of tikka kabab and stick of ribs kabab served with basmati rice raisin/carrot and salad Dietary tags: Halal
- Kabli Palow Combo - $13: Stick of tikka kabab and kabli palow with baked lamb meat Dietary tags: Halal, Lectin-Free
- Fish Combo - $13: Stick of salmon and fried white fish with basmati raisin/carrot rice and salad Dietary tags: Halal
- Qaw Lamb Meat - $13: Special home made balkh shish kabab qaw made from lamb meat baked in oven sepecial marination served with brown basmati rice, raisin and carrot
- Double Manto - $12: Double order of manto (beef meat dumpling with curry sauce and yogurt)
- Double Aushack - $10: Double order of aushack (boiled dumplings filled with scallions, herbs and spices) Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian
- Paya-E-Gaw - $8: Cow feet oven cooked with balkh's special sauces and curries served with afghan bread
Vegetarian
- Mushroom - $9: Mushroom cooked with half fried onion and fresh tomato served with white rice Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium
- Bandanjan Borani Chalow - $9: Fresh fried eggplant made with homemade sauce and yogurt served with balkh white rice and afghan bread Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian
- Borani Kadu Chalow - $9: Fried pumpkin made with homemade sauce and yogurt served with balkh white rice and afghan bread Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian
- Sabzi Chalow - $9: Fresh spinach cooked with onion and fresh tomato served with white rice Dietary tags: Low-Sodium
- Korma Bamia - $5: Fresh okra made with special balkh homemade sauce
- Bamia Chalow - $9: Fresh okra made with special balkh homemade sauce served with white rice and afghan bread
- Gulpi - $5: Fresh cauliflower cooked with beans, tomato sauce and herbs Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, High-Fiber, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly, Volumetrics, TLC, Alkaline
- Gulpi Chalow - $9: Fresh cauliflower cooked with beans, tomato sauce and herbs Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Alkaline
- Lobiya - $5: Red beans cooked with special balkh homemade sauce with fresh tomatoes and herbs served with white rice and bread Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based
- Lobiya with Rice - $9: Red beans cooked with special, balkh homemade sauce with fresh tomtoes and herbs served with balkh brown rice Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Macrobiotic
Side Orders
- Tossed Garden Salad (Large) - $3: Fresh tomatoes, lettuce, cucumber, onion and lemon Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, Atkins, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Alkaline, Slow-Carb
- Tossed Garden Salad (Small) - $1: Fresh tomatoes, lettuce, cucumber, onion and lemon Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, Atkins, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Alkaline, Slow-Carb
- Brown Or White Rice - $3: Basmati seasoned rice Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly, Zone, Volumetrics, TLC, Renal, Macrobiotic
- Turshie (Large) - $5: Mixed vegetable with hot sauce (achar pickles) Dietary tags: High-Protein, Keto, Low-Carb, Vegan, Vegetarian, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, Atkins, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Alkaline, Renal, Slow-Carb
- Turshie (Small) - $3: Mixed vegetable with hot sauce (achar pickles) Dietary tags: High-Protein, Keto, Low-Carb, Vegan, Vegetarian, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, Atkins, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Alkaline, Renal, Slow-Carb
- Sabzi - $5: Fresh spinach with lamb meat cooked with onion fresh tomato Dietary tags: Whole30, Paleo, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, GERD-Friendly, Volumetrics
- Lamb Korma (Curry) - $4: Lamb cooked with fresh tomatoes, onion and special herbs and spices
- Chicken Korma (Curry) - $4: Chicken cooked with fresh tomatoes, onion and special herbs and spices
- Kofta, Meat Balls - $5: Beef meat balls cooked with tomatoes, onion and special herbs and spices Dietary tags: Whole30, Paleo
- Dupiaza - $5: Lamb meat with half fried onion
- Tikka Kabab - $5: Chunk of lamb balkh's special marination Dietary tags: High-Protein, Keto, Low-Carb, Whole30, Paleo, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, Atkins, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Carnivore, TLC, AIP, Renal, Slow-Carb, Lectin-Free
- Keema Kabab - $5: Grilled ground beef balkh's special marination Dietary tags: High-Protein, Keto, Low-Carb, Whole30, Paleo, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, Atkins, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Carnivore, TLC, AIP, Renal, Slow-Carb, Lectin-Free
- Chicken Kabab - $5: Chicken breast (with bone) with balkh's special marination Dietary tags: Whole30, Paleo, AIP, Lectin-Free
- Morgh Kabab - $5: Chicken breast (boneless) balkh's special marination Dietary tags: Whole30, Paleo, AIP, Lectin-Free
- Chabli Kabab - $5: Fried sauteed chopped meat Dietary tags: Lectin-Free
- Chicken Tandoori - $5: Chicken legs balkh's special marination
- Ribs Kabab - $6: Lamb chops balkh's special marination Dietary tags: High-Protein, Keto, Low-Carb, Whole30, Paleo, Low-Sodium, Atkins, South-Beach, Carnivore, AIP, Renal, Slow-Carb, Lectin-Free
- Fish Kabab - $5: Fresh salmon fish balkh's special marination Dietary tags: Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Alkaline, AIP, Macrobiotic, Lectin-Free
Dessert
- Firny - $2: Afghan pudding freshly made in our kitchen, milk with pistachio flavor Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian
- Baklava - $3: Thin layered pastry with honey and nuts Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium
Beverages
- Dough (Large Pitcher) - $5: Lassi sweet or salted (fresh homemade yogurt drink) Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian
- Dough (Small Pitcher) - $3: Lassi sweet or salted (fresh homemade yogurt drink) Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian
- Dough (Glass) - $1: Lassi sweet or salted (fresh homemade yogurt drink) Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian
- Plain Yogurt - $2: Homemade yogurt freshly made in our kitchen
- Soda - $1: Assorted varieties
- Bottled Water - $1: Poland spring water
- Snapple - $1.5: Assorted flavors
- Tea - $2: Special afghan tea flavored with balkh cardamon green or black
Frequently Asked Questions about Balkh Shish Kabab House
- What should first-time visitors know about this restaurant?
- First-time visitors can expect authentic Afghan cuisine, generous portions of kebabs and lamb shanks, and a cozy atmosphere with traditional seating.
- Is this restaurant good for casual dining or more upscale?
- This budget-friendly ($) restaurant is casual, featuring a cozy and welcoming atmosphere with traditional seating and excellent value for guests.
- What type of cuisine does this restaurant specialize in?
- Balkh Shish Kabab House specializes in Middle Eastern and authentic Afghan cuisine, featuring traditional dishes like kebabs and Kabuli Pulao.
- What type of diner would most enjoy this restaurant?
- Diners seeking authentic Afghan kebabs, generous portions, and warm hospitality in a cozy, budget-friendly setting would most enjoy this restaurant.
- What are the most popular dishes at this restaurant?
- Guests rave about the restaurant's tender grilled kebabs, succulent lamb shanks, flavorful Kabuli Pulao, crispy Bolani, and fresh naan.
- Does this restaurant have good options for group dining with mixed dietary needs?
- Options for mixed groups include vegan Bolanee Gandana, keto Fish Kabab, gluten-free Firny, and high-protein Manto across 38 dietary categories.
- What's the best way to experience this restaurant?
- Enjoy authentic Afghan cuisine like grilled kebabs and Kabuli Pulao in a cozy, welcoming atmosphere featuring traditional seating and hospitality.
- What is this restaurant's overall rating?
- Balkh Shish Kabab House has an overall average rating of 4.4/5 according to the provided restaurant data summary.
- How does this restaurant compare to others in the same cuisine type?
- Rated 4.4/5, this budget-friendly ($) restaurant stands out for its authentic Afghan cuisine, generous portions, and excellent value.
- What are the main concerns mentioned in customer reviews?
- Customer reviews mention isolated concerns about pricing, though guests frequently praise the generous portions and excellent overall value.
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