Kabuli Palaw
Lamb rice topped with carrots and raisins
Think of it as: Like a lamb pilaf that raided the dessert pantry
Carrots and raisins steal the show.
What does it taste like?
Savory lamb-soaked rice with pops of sweetness.
SweetSpicySourSaltyFunkSmellTextureFluffy, separate grains
What is it?
Rice cooked in rich lamb broth, crowned with sweet sautéed carrots and raisins. It's Afghanistan's national dish and the star of any celebration.Source: Wikipedia
How locals eat it
Piled high on a big platter and shared at weddings and festivals.
Watch it
More videos on YouTubeWhere is it from?
🇦🇫Afghanistan
CapitalKabul
Populationabout 45 millionestimate (unverified)
IndustriesAgriculture (wheat, fruit), Carpet weaving
Famous peopleAhmad ZahirSinger nicknamed 'the Elvis of Afghanistan'
HelloSalaam (Dari / Pashto)
CurrencyAfghani
And JapanJapanese doctor Tetsu Nakamura built irrigation canals that turned huge stretches of desert back into farmland.
Fun factThe Bamiyan Buddhas were destroyed in 2001, but the site is still a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The flag🇦🇫 The flag has changed with almost every change of government; since 2021 a white flag with black script has been used.
From Tokyoabout 6,270 kmstraight line, Tokyo to Kabul
Getting thereabout 12 hours+ (with a connection)rough guide
✈ Check cheap flights Best timeJapan's Foreign Ministry currently advises evacuation (Level 4). Also tryMantu (steamed dumplings)BolaniAshak
✈ Check cheap flights Best timeJapan's Foreign Ministry currently advises evacuation (Level 4). Also tryMantu (steamed dumplings)BolaniAshak
🇦🇫 Sounds & life in Afghanistan
سلامHello（Salaam (Dari / Pashto)）
Arabic script
Arabic script
Right now…
MusicAfghan classical music Traditional music led by the lute-like rubab
Listen on YouTube SportCricket
Rashid Khan (cricket, star spin bowler in leagues worldwide) World HeritageCultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley and more National animalSnow leopard FestivalEid (Islamic festivals, including the end of Ramadan)
Listen on YouTube SportCricket
Rashid Khan (cricket, star spin bowler in leagues worldwide) World HeritageCultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley and more National animalSnow leopard FestivalEid (Islamic festivals, including the end of Ramadan)
Ingredients
- 300 g basmati rice
- 500 g bone-in lamb
- 2 onions
- 2 carrots
- 50 g raisins
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 4 tbsp oil
Can't find it? Beef works if you can't get lamb.
How to make it (one way)
- Fry the onions until deep brown, then brown the lamb.
- Add water, cumin and salt and simmer until the meat is tender.
- Sauté julienned carrots and raisins with a little sugar.
- Par-boil the rice, mix with the broth, bury the meat inside and steam on low heat.
- Mound on a platter and top with the carrots and raisins.
Get the ingredients (ad)
basmati riceAmazon