This article was translated from the original Korean post with AI assistance. Prices in parentheses are approximate conversions. Read the original Korean post →
We headed back near the house and decided to grab dinner with a friend's family. Since there were kids, I thought we'd eat something ordinary, but today's menu was actually Persian food. Persia means Iran, and as a Korean, it's not easy to even meet someone from Iran, so going to an Iranian restaurant in the US was fascinating. I guess I still have a long way to go to get used to these exotic combinations. Stepping inside, just like the restaurant's name, the menu was packed with various kebabs and stews. Seeing the locals hanging around the counter and eating at the tables gave it a strong neighborhood hotspot vibe. On one side of the table was an unfamiliar powder, a spice called red sumac. It looks like you're supposed to sprinkle it heavily on your meat, but as a spice novice with a low tolerance for heat, I get a bit intimidated by unknown powders like this. So, I just took a picture and left it untouched. Soon after, the dishes we ordered came out one by one. Large pieces of yellow chicken kebab and beef kebab were served over long basmati rice—the kind you usually only see in Itaewon (an international district in Seoul)—along with grilled tomatoes. A salad with diced cucumbers and tomatoes provided a refreshing break from the heavy taste of the meat. The salad looked tough and tasted tough. It's been a while since I had a salad with such a rough, rustic vibe. I also tried the long minced meat skewer, known as koobideh kebab, which came served on thin bread. Taking a bite, the meat flavor was quite heavy and the sauce hit hard, striking my palate with a wild taste you might expect out on the Mongolian steppes. The overall flavor was intense, but the meat portions were quite generous, making it a great value. Overall, the aromas and meat flavors were so strong that it wouldn't be easy for me to eat this often. Still, if you're someone who loves trying unique spices and new foods, it's worth a visit when you're in San Diego. It's a flavor worth trying for fun once in a blue moon when you're tired of your usual everyday meals. Of course, I highly doubt you'd visit the neighborhood of Poway if you're just traveling to San Diego on vacation.
