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Bamiyan Afghan Restaurant
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 5 pm - 9 pm
Fri-Sat 5 pm - 10 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
51 reviews for Bamiyan Afghan Restaurant
Review Highlights
"The side of Pumpkin puree was also very good."
(in 16 reviews)
"...with some delicious spinach rice and pumpkin puree."
(in 11 reviews)
"Please try the pumpkin puree and the Kabeli Palow."
(in 4 reviews)
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51 reviews in English
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Review from Next M.
Sacramento, CA
11/13/2011 Purchased a Yelp Deal
My friend I took advantage of the Yelp deal ($10 for $20) because we were going to be in the area and wanted try this restaurant.
I'm not going to review the decor or the location because to me those are probably the weak points of these restaurant. However, when it comes to the food, now that's a whole new story. The food is traditional Afghanistan fair and the dishes we had were very tasty. I would highly recommend. By the way, we also tried their El Dorado location and the food is same but that location has much nicer decor. -
Review from Michael K.
Carmichael, CA
12/23/2011
For me this is something different, definitely worth trying at least once. We did really like the pumpkin puree, and the meat was flavorful but in the end the food was "interesting" more than it was "awesome". And it's a little pricey without the coupon.
3.5 stars -
Review from Julianne G.
West Seattle, Seattle, WA
11/29/2011 Purchased a Yelp Deal 1 Check-in Here
I have been here a couple of times, so I was enthused to see a Yelp deal. I brought my 7 year old niece here for dinner and even she enjoyed it.
We started by sharing the red lentil soup, it was perfectly savory, filling and flavorful without overwhelming you.
The mantoo is always really good. Mantoo is steamed dumplings stuffed with minced beef and yellow peas topped in a yogurt sauce.
The chicken skewers are always good, especially if you have a picky kid with you.
The service is always a little slow, but the food is so good I can deal with it. -
Review from Juliette T.
Sacramento, CA
9/18/2011
i wanted to try this place after seeing such great reviews here and also because i had an entertainment coupon. i went last night on a saturday evening. the ambience is nice. there is floor seating. we sat at a table that had afghan money displayed under the glass top. the waitress was quiet and nice.
i wasnt very hungry so only ordered the appetizer sampler that many yelpers have described and posted pictures of. it was yummy. i especially liked the big slice of potato because ive never seen it prepared like that and i love me some potatoes! :D my companion ordered chicken kabobs with rice and okra and also thought it was delicious. i had the afghan tea over ice, which tastes just like chai. i really liked it, but it was served in a very small wine glass.
one reviewer compared the flavors to indian food and another reviewer said not to be confused by that. let me be a little more specific here; if ur only used to eating at american, chinese, mexican, and italian establishments and dont venture out much, then this place will resemble indian food. but if u frequent many types of cuisines from this part of the world, u will clearly notice the differences between the two.
i agree with other yelpers that the prices r high. the waitress was nice tho, she didnt punch the entertainment card and said we can use the coupon again. :)
i want to go back and try the pumkin puree and maybe a beef kabob.
the place was about only 35% full so i hope the business will be ok throughout the recession.
they had teas and other things for sale but the teas had old dates stamped on them. -
Review from Christine G.
Brandon, FL
1/6/2012
OK food and service. Not sure if I will be back. Didn't hate it but didn't love it. Service was a bit slow but staff was nice. Food wasn't bad but wasn't very flavorful. Feel like there's a lot better options to choose from. It's worth giving this place a try and deciding for yourself.
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Review from Kris K.
Fair Oaks, CA
12/12/2011
The food is consistantly Wonderful. I especially love the lamb and the chicken kabobs which are moist and have never been overcooked. The rice and pumpkin puree sides are a treat to your mouth. All is fresh without muddleing of flavors. The service is sweet, promp and they answer questions kindly ( versus " are you a dummy for not knowing" attitude). Locale is a strip mall on greenback but you forget that when inside. The tea and coffee drinks are just right. We eat here often. Good place for friends, a date , or a family.
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Review from Jason G.
10/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
Excellent ashak, pea soup, pumpkin purée, and Afghan rice.
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Review from Aaron R.
Stockton, CA
11/2/2011 Purchased a Yelp Deal
Wow! The best Afghan food I have ever had. I have had about as good Kebabs in other places for less but its the side dishes that really set then apart from the competition. Got the eggplant and the pumpkin. Still thinking about the food now. The waitress was great. She was there when you needed her and not when you didn't. You are going to pay more but I feel it was worth it. Additionally right now you can get a deal from yelp for $20 worth of food for $10. Treat yourself to this experience.
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Review from Zee S.
Davis, CA
12/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
Trekked all the way up to Citrus Heights tonight based mostly on Yelp reviews to try some Afghan cuisine. I've been told that it's fruitless to even attempt to find good Afghan food outside the Fremont area. Since i've never eaten in Fremont, I can't compare, but based on my experience with Afghan restaurants in Boston and North Carolina, this restaurant was a solid contender. Upon arrival we found a largely deserted parking lot and a fairly empty restaurant. We were seated promptly in the main dinning room and were offered menus and water. At first I ordered a cocktail but was told that the cocktails are actually made with Soju and not Vodka as stated on the menu, I wanted a real drink so we decided to stick with wine. My husband ordered a glass of Zinfandel from El Darado County. The wine was awful when we took our first sip, the waiter came back and offered us an other glass, saying the bottle was old, the glass from the new wine bottle was great. We ordered the Beef Shami and the Eggplant appetizer to start, both were delicious. The Egg plant was really exceptional, it featured crisped skin with the eggplant flesh roasted to perfection within. The kebabs were moist but nothing exceptional. For our entrees we went with the Mantoo for me and the Lamb chops (on the bone) for my husband; both were delicious. The Mantoo is a beef and onion dumpling topped with a yogurt sauce. The Bamiyan's version was delicately spiced and filling. My husband's lamb chops were tender yet crispy and his accompaniment of okra was nice but again not exceptional. I ordered the pumpkin as my side, the only thing I would not order again. Usually the "Kadu' is one of my favorite Afghan dishes but this particular version was very sweet and did not enough complexity. For those who enjoy the sweet, spicy, tangy mix this might be a good choice, but mostly sweet. We ended our meal with a shared plate of fereni which was decadently sweet but whipped to airy perfection and garnished with fresh pistachios. Our service was great, I requested hot sauce from the waitress and she said she'd make me some! The concoction she put together combined heat and tartness with with minty freshness, I wish they'd bottle that stuff.
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Review from Serious C.
Sacramento, CA
After having such a great first time, we returned with the same expectation and although it was still good. It wasn't as great.
Maybe it was having a different server. Maybe there was a different cook. Maybe they've made some adjustments but.. It wasn't the same.
The food is still good. It's expensive. The place is still quiet.
The wow was gone, though.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/11/2010
Located in the middle of a tall and long strip mall near El Pollo Loco.
The restaurant is dim inside,… Read more »
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Review from Karen B.
Roseville, CA
8/26/2011
The wait staff was fantastic! The food was very tasty. Get the dumplings. They were great.
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Review from Shannon E.
San Francisco, CA
9/25/2011 1 Check-in Here
You know the old adage, 'don't judge a book by it's cover'? Well, Bamiyan exemplifies that. The location is incredibly random; in the the middle of a somewhat-questionable strip mall, but it's such a hidden gem! The service was great when we were there -- the server was helpful and very attentive -- and the food was on-point. I didn't know what to anticipate before heading in (I didn't have any experience with Afghan restaurants) but the options were great. The pumpkin puree is a MUST. The flavors are unbeatable and incredibly unique. The eggplant is also out of this world. As a vegetarian, I would honestly go in and make a meal just out of sides! Amazing. The kebabs (I got salmon; the guys got lamb and chicken) were great, too -- definitely not any bad choices at this place. It's NOT cheap (apps are around $7-$10; entrees are around $20) , but it really is good food and very different. If you're looking to mix up your dining experiences, this place is worth checking out!
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Review from yarnlady N.
Citrus Heights, CA
7/9/2010
The ethnic table on the raised dias in the Bamiyan Afghan restaurant at 7622 Greenback Ln Citrus Heights, CA 95610, provides traditional Afghan floor seating to feast on their delicious authentic food from Afghanistan, amidst a wide selection of spices and teas and recipes from Afghanistan, plus unique Afghan rugs for your enjoyment or purchase.
For the less adventurous there are also standard table seating, which will be laden with an array of wonderful food. -
Review from b l.
Sacramento, CA
3/5/2011
They have great food and friendly service. The brought out so much food! Everything was delicious. The eggplant and squash side dishes were the best ever, so good. the spinich rice was also very tasty. We tried the beef and chicken kababs, both were seasoned and cooked well. We also tried the sampler platter and some yummy afghan dumplings whcih were good. And then we had an interesting dessert, a milk pudding thing with rose and pistachios, wasn't sure about the first bite, but i couldn;t stop eating it! Everything was great. only thing is the location, is kind of egh. its located in an unattractive strip mall.
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Review from Ria S.
Rancho Cordova, CA
3/22/2010
Food was good. Better than I expected. We came coz we found a coupon online for $25 off $50 or more. We decided to get the combination platter. Lamb was tender, chicken was juicy. I loved the beef shammis. It's a very good tasting plate although a little pricey for $23.95. I had brown rice but we also had the spinach rice. Spinach rice is better - had more flavor. We also got the fish with sauce dish. Pretty flavorful. Pumpkin puree is good. Kinda like eating pumpkin pie but with a little more spice and no crust.
We also had the Pakawra. Deep fried potato with a green sauce. Small serving for $3.95. Sauce was great. Similar to a salsa verde but spicier and a bit vinegary.
The downside, soda is served in a wineglass at $2 each and no refills. Waiter didn't tell us so we ordered refills. Ended up getting billed $20 for just soda.
Other than that, a good find. Would have rated a 4-star if not for the soda. Will be back for more but will just drink water next time. -
Review from Lendy S.
Fair Oaks, CA
5/20/2011
This place is absolutely wonderful! I had the Kebab Mahie (Salmon) meal with brown rice and squash--which I am still dreaming of!! My husband had the Beef Tenderloin Kebab which he concurred was awesome! Of course, our experience was even better due to the fact that we went on a Thursday after work for dinner. We were the only two customers there so it was quiet and reserved. We had great service too! I loved the lady/waitress..not sure if she's the owner. I even walked out with a box of tea and fresh cardamon! I already can't wait to return. Its a lil hole in da wall in the CH, but well worth it!
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Review from Katie T.
10/17/2006
I'm sick of having to drive to midtown to find food, so tonight I decided to make the effort to find food near my house. After consulting Yelp, I decided on Bamiyan.
I went with one other person so we forced ourselves to order only two things--difficult given the number of amazing looking options on the menu. I had the kabeli palow, a rice dish with pumpkin sauce, fruits, spices, and a lamb curry. My dad had the ashak; a dumpling dish with a side of eggplant. Nothing was spicy, but everything had an amazing amount of flavor. I don't normally use the word vibrant to describe food, but it seems fitting. Servings were also very large. We could have shared one dish and probably been fine.
I was impressed by the food at Bamiyan, but I was delighted by the atmosphere. While located in a run down strip mall, walking into Bamiyan you'd never know it. The interior is covered from floor to ceiling with beautiful rugs in rich colors. A stack of rugs sitting in one corner and the wall of imported Afghani food supplies lend a more casual touch, but one that only further emphasizes a pride in Afghani food and culture.
I know you midtowners don't like to leave your bubble of culture, but put down your wine and poetry or beer and iPod, or whatever you are into these days, and get yourself out to Citrus Heights. It's worth the drive. -
Review from Melanie I.
Roseville, CA
7/20/2006
Do not be confused by the previous posters references to Indian food. Afghan food is very different from Indian food. It is similar to Persian food, but it is its' own unique cuisine. Not spicy, but very flavorful.
Don't be scared away by the restaurants location in a yucky strip mall, which the previous poster described well. It is beautiful inside, and the food is delicious. I enjoyed the Mantou, which is like an Afghan ravioli. The rice is also really good.
A friend of mine is from Afghanistan and lives in Fremont, in an area nicknamed "little Kabul", so I have eaten a lot of Afghan food, and I think Bamiyan has some of the best. -
Review from deb n.
Palo Alto, CA
9/5/2008 4 photos
Went on a Thursday night for 5 people at 6:30pm, we were the only patrons, good thing because we are loud and it was some of the diners first time with Afghani food. Order vegetarian dinner with kadu, eggplant, potatoes, pumpkin and spinach, had to ask for rice. Another ordered the chicken kabobs with palow rice(carrots, raisens and cardomon) with squash. Another order the combination kabobs with lamb and beef and another ordered beef and chicken. All was good and my first time friends enjoyed it all.
In a strip mall, nondescript. Easy parking.
Around $130 for 5 of us with 5 entrees, beer, coke, and afghan tea. Service was mostly a hit, very nice waitress who was attentive but had to ask for more bread and the bill. She even gave us a free dessert of furne, custard like flan with cardamon and pistachio. Was a hit with the group. -
Review from Pippi L.
Sacramento, CA
3/25/2006
If you like regional Indian food, you will be delighted with Bamiyan and it's fare, Afghani cuisine. Bamiyan is the region where the Taliban bombed those famous giant Buddhas. If you go there and think "Oh, this is good food, that place couldn't POSSIBLY be as troubled as reports would state", you'd be wrong. The walls are covered with beautiful kilim, but if you look closely you'll see they are War Rugs. They depict stories of wars and a landscape of sadness.
And as if food could cry, those little dumplings were full of melancholic beauty, and I ate everything on my plate. You can tell when a country's representatives express their art in food and joy in cooking, as if to say "we will not give up." For a place where they serve up a lot of opium, their appetites must be strangely good.
Recommended: lamb and chicken dishes, dumplings, samosas; if you go in a large group, you can order an entire meal prix fixe and share family style. There's nothing like it in Sacramento, that I can assure you, but like I said, if you enjoy Indian food, you will enjoy this, and notice how it differs.
If you go, be sure to note it's in a weird mall up on a hill overlooking Greenback, near the WIC and Sacramento Works offices. It's where Chuck E Cheese used to be before it went bankrupt in the 80s and merged with a lamer "cousin". -
Review from Alina S.
Culver City, CA
1/19/2008
I've never tried Afghan food but I love adventurous eating, so after seeing all the rave Yelp reviews and being in the area for work, I had to come here and was not disappointed!
Being in the area for work, I was dining alone so I wasn't able to try as many dishes as I would've wanted. But the items I did try were AMAZING! SUCH unique flavors and all so fascinatingly delicous. The decor was a delight to the senses with the beautiful Afghan rugs all around. It was truly a cultural experience and I really appreciate the opportunity to get a sense of the richness of Afghan culture here.
I had the ashak, the spinach and scallion dumplings covered with a spicy ground beef and tomato sauce, then topped with a great yogurt mint sauce. I just savored and chewed my food slowly even though I was so hungry, as I wanted to try to distinguish all the great flavors in my mouth. I had the side of pureed pumpkin, sweet and spicy at the same time - SO good.
I also tried their baklava, and agree with the other reviewer who said that it was pleasantly not oversweetened as some baklava can be. The hint of rose water infused into it adds a nice, light special touch.
Last but not least, I thought the Afghan bread that was served was delicious as well - light, slightly crispy and chewy. Perfect with butter. Enough to whet the appetite without feeling like they're just trying to fill you up on cheap bread.
The owner / hostess was so very sweet and we actually talked for a long time. She obviously works very hard but truly runs this restaurant and cooks the food with her heart. She treated me to a nice warm cup of green tea, slightly sweetened and spiced with cardamom.
How I wish I lived in the area so I could come here more often! BUT I did buy their cookbook and plan to attempt some more of their dishes from home. I'd encourage everyone to try this place out! And it wasn't hard at all to find, btw.
*EDIT 1/25/07: Came back up b/c I was in the area again for work, and this time I got to try the samosas, pea soup, and the special rice made with carrots, almonds, and raisins. Every one of these dishes was SO good too - perfectly seasoned and perfectly cooked - and it just makes me that much happier that I bought their cookbook so that I can try to make these GREAT dishes at home! -
Review from Liberty G.
Sacramento, CA
3/15/2008
The food and service is so wonderful, I could cry. This is my most favorite restaurant in the world (as of now, I haven't traveled the world, yet.)
OVERALL - 5 stars
Hands down the best Afghani restaurant I've eaten at, quite possibly my most favorite of favorite restaurants of all time. I've eaten Afghani food in the Bay Area, Sacramento area and Seattle/Puget Sound area and this place takes the prize. Phenomenal!!!!
PRICE - 2.5 stars
Moderate range for entrees $13-26 and the appetizers are generous. Drinks, dessert, alcohol is relatively inexpensive too. For two people, without alcohol and including tip, was $55 for a good amount of food.
FOOD - 5 stars
Heavenly is how I would describe it! Your tastebuds will come alive with every bite because the seasonings and ingredients are so skillfully blended and never overpowering. You can taste all the international influences this cuisine has to offer--Italy, Persia, China, India, Greece--it's all beautiful. The meat was succulent, the seafood was perfectly cooked, the specialty drinks were such a treat! The vegetalbe sides were amazing and unique, I've never had anything like it. My favorite things to eat are ashak & mantoo, Afghan versions of ravioli but better. Available as appetizers or main course, I would eat two platters for myself if I could!
SERVICE - 5 stars
The nights we have went, the husband & wife owners were our waitstaff. They were both very sweet and helpful and unobtrusive!
ATMOSPHERE - 3.5 stars
Don't let the location deter you! There is a gem hidden inside this ugly strip mall on a busy main street in the less than stellar city of Citrus Heights. The inside is cozy, simple, warmly decorated and very comfortable. The walls display various "kilim" tapestries that tell a story. There is a cute little pantry type display of grocery items, gifts and books.
The restaurant in Connecticut is run by the other members of the family and has been reviewed by the New York Times and other publications in that area. The proprietor of the California restaurants (a third location is opening soon in poshier El Dorado Hills, CA) is a published cookbook author. -
Review from Paulie E.
Sacramento, CA
3/29/2007
The restaurant was hard to find, hidden inside a strip mall off of Greenback, but once you walked in, you felt the strong scents welcoming you and the hospitable owners and staff being very accommodating. The meal took a little while to arrive, but once it did, there was plenty for all and a full range of vivid flavors.
The appetizers included very moist spiced grilled chicken, deep fried sweet potato slices that were great, and these potato filled "quesadilla-like" cakes, with yogurt sauce on top that were very interesting.
The main courses contained a plethora of flavors. The meats were tender, juicy and full of roasted flavor; the trout was fried crispy inside a thin batter, and very tasty indeed. Another table favorite was the kabeli palow, a cardamom flavored rice, topped with slivers of almond, raisins and carrot. The pumpkin puree had an intense creamy yet sweet sensation, spiced with coriander seed. The dumplings (Ashak) were great and unexpected, filled with spinach, beef and topped with a yogurt sauce reminiscent of large ravioli. They also served a dish of roasted eggplant, spiced and also topped with a yogurt based sauce that was another favorite.
And then for dessert they served traditional Baklava, but this one had a little twist, not as sweet as what one would expect, with a hint of rosewater and a light drizzle of honey on top, served with a cardamom chai tea.
All in all this was a very fun food tasting experience, every dish awakened the senses in some form. To describe Afghan cuisine as I have experienced it, I would say that you take 2 cups of Indian food, add 1 cup of Greek, 3 tablespoons of Italian and a sprinkle of Middle Eastern for a melodic dance on your palate.Listed in: Top Restaurants
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Review from Rander P.
Rancho Cordova, CA
3/10/2008 2 photos
We went here on a cold and rainy night a few weeks ago and this is what we had:
BEEF SHAMMI KEBAB
Very lean ground beef mixed with spices and seasonings, cooked on the skewer like skinless sausage and served with homemade chutney sauce
CHICKEN SHISH KEBAB
Skinless and boneless cubes of chicken breasts marinated and charbroiled golden and moist on the skewer Eggplant (Brony Bonjan)
Sliced steamed eggplant, fried and topped with tomato sauce,. homemade yogurt, and mint
KABELI PALOW
Special rice topped with seasoned almonds, raisins, carrots, flavored with cardamom served with Eggplant or Pumpkin Puree and sauteed lamb or char-broiled chicken.
SAMOSA
Fried crispy, thin dough with filling of spiced eastern peas, potatoes and vegetables, served with homemade cilantro chutney sauce
SHAPARA
Traditional Afghan sweet made with milk, cardamom, walnuts and pistachios.
The kabobs we had were a little dry and overcooked and did not have a lot of flavor. The eggplant was tender and moist .The yogurt and tomato sauce made the eggplant a little sweeter.
The Kabeli Palow was not memorable as well and the samosas looked like fried won tons. It must have been an off night because everything tasted the same, none of the dishes really seemed any different than any other.
1 star = Poor. I would not eat here for free or if you paid me.
2 star = So-So. I would rather eat somewhere else.
3 star= Average. I would or would not eat here again. It would depend on my company.
4 star= Good. I would recommend eating here.
5 star= Excellent. Driving two hours to eat here, would be time well spent. -
Review from Ben G.
Napa, CA
2/24/2009
When I had family that lived in the Citrus Heights area, this is where we'd go to eat...every...single...visit. Since the folks have moved, I've only visited Bamiyan once, but this is the ONLY thing I miss about the 916 area code.
The service is excellent...warm and friendly, but no overbearing. The Afghan/Pakistani grocery section is well appointed but doesn't add a chintzy "bazaar-y" feel to the restaurant. Oh yeah...and the food? My god...the food is unbelievable. It's an excellent value with enormous portions of fresh, flavorful food for a completely reasonable price.
To think that this, my favorite restaurant in Sacramento, is just a few doors down from the old Chuck E. Cheese where I spent my youth plunking tokens into Donkey Kong. Strange how I've traded up, yet haven't had to go far to do it. -
Review from Tom J.
Elk Grove, CA
11/2/2008
Went on a Saturday evening. Had the Kebab combination and the Mantoo entree. Kebabs were about average, but the Mantoo was great. The Mantoo dish was dumplings filled with beef and onion, covered with lentils and yogurty goodness. The side of Pumpkin puree was also very good. The side of spinach didn't work for me or my date unfortunately. Though the spinach rice was tasty.
Had baklava for dessert. Just average...maybe even a little below.
Service was prompt and friendly.
Overall, a decent place. Would probably go again if I lived in Citrus Heights...but I don't. I imagine it's a well kept secret for the locals. Enjoy it. -
Review from Lou M.
Citrus Heights, CA
6/15/2009
My wife and I ate at the Bamiyan this past weekend and wow what a treat!
Being a dude I am not much of a vegetable person, but my wife insisted on getting a vegetable platter and a lamb platter as well. The vegetable platter consisted of puree pumpkin, eggplant w/ yogurt, sauté spinach, and potatoes w/ sauce. (I ate those vegetables so quick because they were so good!) The lamb platter consisted of a generous portion of lamb kabob, okra, and very tasty rice!
Oh, I almost forgot that they do honor the free dessert if you mention that you found the Bamiyan on Yelp. We had the House Dessert
Caramelized apple with honey sauce and rose water (from Lebanon), served with fruit sauce and fresh raspberry, blueberry, strawberry. Great for 2-3 people!
Overall, we were very satisfied with the atmosphere, portions, food quality, and service. This is a diamond of a place! -
Review from Becca F.
Sacramento, CA
1/30/2009
The mostly vacant strip mall reminds me of a white-washed Mexican villa, but the arches almost evoke images of Buddhas carved into limestone clifts in the Bamiyan province of Afghanistan (http://www.bamiyan.com...). The interior of the restaurant is quaint with furnishings that remind me of a home I'd visit in the (U.S.) countryside. Nothing exotic about the decor except the woven tapestries on the wall, runners on the tables -- and the 'market' (a few shelves / sideboard) of jars / boxes of Afghan specialties that guests can buy & take home.
I can't describe what distinguishes Afghan cooking from Indian, but I noticed similaries like flavorful (not hot) spices, chutneys, yogurts even samosas. The Afghan bread also resembled Indian naan.
We enjoyed the mantoo -- steamed dumplings filled with mildly-spiced beef and onions, topped with yellow split peas and a homemade yogurt, garlic and mint sauce -- and the ashak -- boiled dumplings filled with scallions and spinach, topped with mildly spiced beef, yellow peas and a delicious homemade yogurt, garlic and mint sauce. The halwaiy kadu (pumpkin puree) was made from fresh pumpkin. -
Review from Caroline F.
Rancho Cordova, CA
12/31/2009
This place is great. I have been to both this location, and the one in El Dorado Hills. They both have the same menu and prices, however, the one in El Dorado Hills does have a nicer ambiance.
My friend and I had one of those $25 off $50 gift certificates so we made sure to order up a storm. We had a delicious bread for appetizer that was stuffed with potatoes and came with an amazing yogurt dipping sauce. We then ordered the chicken shish kebab and the grilled sirloin kebab, one with brown rice and pumpkin puree and one with spinach rice and squash. Those vegetables are amazing. The pumpkin puree is delicious and the squash was to die for. I'm not sure how they made it, but it had that yogurt sauce on it again.Fantastic. Each of the meats were grilled and were very tasty and juicy.
For dessert we had the "House Dessert" which consisted of caramelized apples in a syrup with berries. It was very good and just the right amount.
I left feeling satisfied but not overly stuffed, which is the right way to feel! -
Review from Jeff D.
Roseville, CA
10/9/2008
Overall the food was very good. We had the ashak and mantoo dumpling appetizers. I was thinking of something made with bread -- something like a chinese pork bun-- but we were pleasantly surprised with what we got. ABoth appetizers were ravioli like with a very tasty yogurt sauce. The appetizers were so good that we left NOTHING on the plates.
Moving on to the entrees. We had the Lamp Kebobs and the sauteed fish. The lamb kebobs were extremely tender. It was partnered with some delicious spinach rice and pumpkin puree. That whole plate was delicious. The sauteed fish was fresh and when paired with the eggplant is extremely tasty.
We finished off the dinner and had the rice pudding and the house special caramelized apple, raspberry, strawberry and blueberry dessert.
The whole dinner was fantastic and will be done once again. -
Review from Mymy N.
Updated - 8/9/2010 2 photos
Oh man, couldn't resist so I came here again! Pakawra is the name of the fried potatoes that I love so much! Ordered the Ashak, which is a spinach and scallion filled dumpling and it was amazing. Also ordered a side of okra which was covered in the tastiest tomato sauce and the meatballs which were huge and delicious. My food baby came back that day. I love this place.
Listed in: Diamonds in the Rough
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/26/2010
The meal I had here is one of those memorable meals that I talk about for at least a week after. It… Read more »
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Review from Marlena G.
Sacramento, CA
3/8/2011
This was our first time at this place and didn't know what to expect. Place is located in a mini strip mall, walking distance from where we live which is great. We walk in and each table had there own cute little candle. Very romantic and quiet or maybe a little whisper here and there. Everything was neat and clean which part of my reviews, is a BIG plus. Waiter was soft spoken and spoke clear and to the point. We ordered and waited maybe 15 minutes for our food. The lamb was great, love there rice and the afghan hot tea!!! OMG!!! Kind of tastes like Mexican hot chocolate!!! Snap Snap!!! Will be back.. Oh, after we we ere seated, more please started to fill up the room. We went at 6:15, perfect time if ya ask me. For two people for drinks, apps and main dishes it was around 50.00.
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Review from Rebecca G.
Long Beach, CA
12/17/2010 1 Check-in Here
Awesome! The pumpkin puree rocked! Very flavourful. Only down side is they charge for refills on their tea...
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Review from Jen L.
Sacramento, CA
1/31/2009
Fantastic food and service. Everything tasted fresh and the atmosphere was relaxed. I look forward to my next visit. I didn't order any of the kabobs, but i did order a dish featuring delicious dumplings. The appetizers were delicious too. Food is also fairly healthy too. Delicous and healthy - a rare combo these days.
Located in a random strip mall, but aren't most delicious places located in random places anways? -
Review from Nicole b.
Redondo Beach, CA
12/4/2009
I won't lie, I love food a lot and this place is an awesome place to go for food. I went here with my Pops for Pre-Thanksgiving dinner and it was very yumyum. We got the Samosas, Ashak, and I got the Veg Platter. I don't know what he got because I didn't care. I'm a vegetarian and I couldn't eat it, so I didn't pay attention. The samosas were delicious, the ashak was alright. I like yogurt sauce, but I think it's hard to make them taste incredible. The vegetarian platter was AWESOME. I have been contemplating ordering the pumpkin puree to take home almost every night. Everything on the plate was delicious but the pumpkin puree was hauntingly delicious.
OH! Almost forgot! We got the house dessert as well. It was incredible and my dad and I did get in a little fork fight over who got what. So maybe order one for yourself if you go.
I will be back. Soon. Very soon. -
Review from Suzanne T.
Orangevale, CA
6/29/2009
Brought the family for a Friday night. The service is not great even when they are slow but the food makes up for the service.
We ordered the Mandoo and the samosas to start and the mandoo was delicious - so flavorful w the yogurt sauce and the samosas the children loved.
I ordered the vegi platter and the cooked pumpkin was incredible- so much so that I will be asking for the recipe. The lamb kebabs for the children were cooked nicely and served w spinach rice and potatoes.
Also we had the noodle/lentil soup that was hearty and rich packed with gorgeous flavours, yet subtle enough for a 9 yr old to eat the whole thing.
We ended w the yelp comment and we're served the apple dessert drowned in honey syrup-- woo eee a bit too sweet for me but the kids licked it up.
Found out that they deliver- we will be ordering very soon. -
Review from gabby O.
Sacramento, CA
1/17/2009
Tried to Afgan tea, samosas, chicken kabob w/spinach rice and the dumplings-all good and fresh.
Pros: Great flavor, very healthy (lots of veggie choices and little cream/butter used), clean, nice service, and overall just a great place to eat! I have been to the Helmand in Baltimore MD and that place is really good also. I felt the flavors were richer here and although the presentation wasn't that great-I would go back.
Cons: A little pricey (although the quality of food is great) and the presentation of the food was a bit dull. -
Review from Sarah S.
10/10/2010
I came to Bamiyan to try Afghan food for the first time. The food was awesome and the portions were pretty big. The menu has a lot of similarities to Indian food. The differences were more in the spices and preparation. I tried out some lamb, spinach rice, pumpkin puree, iced chai, and something that I think was called ashak. All of it was delish and I would definitely order it again. The prices ran a little high for me to come back a lot, but I would definitely go again and try some other things. The service was really good.
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Review from Sonny M.
Roseville, CA
8/3/2011
I've been coming here for years. There is no restaurant like this anywhere in sacramento. The appetizers are excellent, sometimes we come here just for the appetizers. I get the cubed chicken meal with the pumpkin puree, which I recommend buying for your thanksgiving dinner. The flavor is great and I think of it as a lighter version to indian food. I like the fact that its not crowded.
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Review from Dale L.
Roseville, CA
9/9/2010
Food portions are small for the price. They had bed bugs or some sort of insect on the carpet sitting area that bit my leg. The owner failed to greet or acknowledge us when we came in. Food was okay. Place is really quiet and dead.
