FEATURES The True Middle Eastern Kebab Experience
Who doesn’t like Kebab? This Middle Eastern dish made of lamb meat (mainly) cooked on a vertical spit and sliced off to order, might be a bit heavy for some. But its worldwide popularity only proves that the kebab has become part of everyday cuisine in multicultural countries around the globe.
Fortunately for us, like other ethnic foods brought by travelers to Bali, authentic kebab in a true Middle Eastern fashion can be found right here on the island. On the sidewalk of Kartika Plaza Tuban, Kuta stands The Kebab Palace. Mr. Pygmalion K. Diakoudis, a Greek man born in Istanbul, Turkey and his partner Serkan Yildirim, opened the palace in 2004, with a menu serving a mix of Greek and Turkish specialties. “We will open another restaurant soon in Petitenget, named Tulip,” he said with a smile while welcoming us inside. But for now let’s check out the Palace.
It looks charming with outdoor white tables and bright red rattan chairs facing the busy street. Inside there are more tables; walls adorned with photos of Istanbul, and the kebab bar and grill next to it, with large photos of the menu on the top wall. We let Mr. Pygmalion decide for us, and ended up with almost everything on the menu!
We started our feast with The Dips Set, three kinds of dips served with pita bread; Babaganoush, Tzatziki, and Humus, my favorite. Another starter plate was the delicious and crispy Bourek. The Cigar Bourek was filled with soft and tasty herb infused minced beef, while The Cheese Bourek was filled with feta. The Coban Salad featured fresh cubes of tomato, cucumber, onion, and green pepper, seasoned with parsley and sumac, a Turkish seed spice, and basked in Pomegranate vinegar. Fresh and tasty!
Finally it was time for our kebab journey. The Souvlaki Roll, a lamb doner, served wrapped in bread and dressed with tomato, tzatziki, onion, sumac and parsley. The lamb used in Kebab Palace is all imported from Turkey together with the majority of herbs and spices. Other dishes that feature this delicious lamb is the Lamb Sandwich wrapped in long bread with tomato, onion, sumac, lettuce and sauce; and Lamb Doner Kebab, where a portion of lamb with tomato, tzatziki, and onion is served on a circle of pita bread, sprinkled with parsley and sumac on top. It looks like a Middle East Pizza and it was tasty, strong and smoky. Finally there was the Lamb Shish Kebab, an absolute must try. Delicious and tender marinated meat cubes skewered with tomato, onion, mushroom and capsicum, served with a warm rice pilav, or toasted rice with olive oil and shallots.
Vegetarians can opt for their delicious Falafel, a pocket of pita bread filled with cheek pea fried balls, tahini, fried eggplant, onion and sumac.
For drinks we enjoy the Ayban or plain lassi, a tasty mix of yoghurt, water and salt. The sweet and sour Strawberry Lassi is also worth a try. For dessert we have the Baklava, super sweet pastry with walnuts, and a very light and tasty Chocolate Mousse. We closed our Middle East kebab experience with a shot of Cai or Turkish Tea, and of course, an authentic syrupy Turkish Coffee.
So if you feel like kebab, go all the way. Order for delivery, or visit the palace. Get the whole experience. They even have Sheesha. /MK
Kebab Palace Jalan Kartika Plaza, Blok A3 No.3, Kuta Center, Bali
Ph +62 361 758 075, Open10am – 1am
Seat 45, Kuta Map B - 4
