In full honesty, I’ve visited Indian restaurants before but can’t recall the last time I visited a Pakistani restaurant let alone one that combines the two traditions together. Not because I was never interested in a Pakistani cuisine, but simply because I just hadn’t devoted the time I should have to exploring it in detail. There are many repeat cuisines on this site, but this one is a first for me. With that, there’s a bit of excitement that comes: will I like it or will I find a favorite dish? The chance to explore it with eyes wide open and taste buds eagerly waiting is an anticipation I’m excited to dive into.
Jumping to the end before it even begins: I am happy to say that after a visit to Khan Saab in Santa Monica, I found I really enjoy the blend of Pakistani and Indian food and even have a few favorite dishes. Let me explain.
I was invited to the restaurant to preview a variety of dishes from the menu, and from the moment I stepped inside, it felt like an experience worth taking in. The restaurant strikes a harmony between elegance and comfort. You can dress up or you can dress casual. You can celebrate a major milestone or stop here after work. It’s beautifully designed without feeling intimidating, making it just as fitting for whatever you may be looking for.
After looking around the space, I found a seat and spoke with the waitress to select a few items. As the dishes began arriving, I had the chance to see all the variety in the style of food offers.
The Pani Puri ($7) was a fun way to begin the meal. The crisp puff pastry filled with garbanzo beans, potatoes, onions, and served on top of shot glasses of spiced mint-tamarind water delivered bright, refreshing flavors in one memorable bite and sip. They were adorable to see but even cuter to bite into. Sure that may be corny, but the tiny nature of it all that still carried so much flavor was a delightful start. Then came the Chola Bhatura ($19) which caught my eye and naturally stood out to be another favorite. The spiced chickpeas paired perfectly with the airy, wok-fried bread, creating a comforting dish that was difficult to stop eating. Eating them individually or pairing them together is a choice, and both are perfect to do with this dish.
For the main courses, the Butter Chicken ($22) was everything I’d hoped for. The creamy butter sauce with dried fenugreek and coated tender pieces of chicken gave me an inkling that this might be a classic dish of the restaurant and with good reason.
Then came the Khan Biryani ($24) which like the others, was a beauty. It brought layers of aromatic rice, boneless chicken, and just enough Thai chili to keep each bite interesting without overwhelming the dish. The best part is it can stand on its own or be paired with a side. There are no bad moves with this one.
One of the biggest surprises of the evening was the Sloppy Khan ($15). Move over cafeteria style sloppy joe’s, this one is exceptionally better. It features chopped Wagyu beef served on gunpowder-dusted pav. The bread was incredibly soft, the meat was rich, flavorful, and bite after bite it was unlike anything I’d had before. It may seem small, but if you simply need something easy and filling, it will be a great option.
The last entree that navigated the dinner was the Smoked Beef Kabob ($22) which offered another standout moment. Charcoal-smoked top sirloin marinated with yogurt, garlic, shallots, and mustard oil delivered a deep, savory flavor that lingered long after the last bite. Paring it with one of their great side options will help bring it all together.
To sip throughout dinner, I enjoyed the Smoked Double Apple (price unavailable). I loved the presentation: the glass was delivered in a beautiful box and when opened it came out in display of smoke, almost welcoming you to drink it. From the first sip to the last, it was a refreshing blend of Gala and Honeycrisp apple nectar, wild pineapple molasses, and burnt dalchini. Truly lightly smoky, subtly sweet, and a wonderful complement each dish of the dinner.
Walking out of Khan Saab, I found myself thinking about something I hadn’t expected. This dinner didn’t just introduce me to a beautiful restaurant. It reminded me that there are entire cuisines I’ve been meaning to explore intentionally. Sometimes all it takes is one memorable meal to spark that curiosity. Khan Saab did exactly that for me and I have a feeling it has only kick started my journey deeper into dining at more restaurants that excel in Pakistani and Indian cuisine.
Thank you for that Khan Saab.
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Address: 115 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Phone: (424) 744-8001
Hours: Monday through Friday – 4:00 pm to 10:30 pm and Saturday and Sunday – 2:00 pm to 10:30 pm.
Social: Website and Instagram.
