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Restaurant Name: Kebapci, Koramangala, Bangalore
Phone: +919663732777, +919884477370, +919884488718
Address: 74, KHB Colony, 17th E Main Road, Koramangala 6th Block, Bengaluru 560095 India
Time: 12:00 Noon – 12:30 AM
Meals for two: Rs. 650
Cuisines: BBQ, Turkish, Middle Eastern, Lebanese
Facilities: Home Delivery, Takeaway Available, Indoor Seating
Kebapci, Koramangala, Bangalore: Decor
Kebapci in Koramangala is a charming space. Travel posters for Istanbul, featuring Taksim, the Hagia Sophia and Topkapi, occupy one wall. Elsewhere there are blue tiles and multi-colored glass lamps hang from the ceiling. The menu lists an array of kebabs, including Indian ones, and curries, and even burgers and rolls. It’s for the Turkish that you should really go here. The Baklava is flown down regularly from Istanbul. As is the coffee. That’s how authentic it gets at Kebapci.
Owner Aseem Shah has been fascinated by Turkish cuisine and culture for several years now. The menu and cooking have been guided by a Turkish culinary master Shah refers to as ‘ustad‘. The menu is heavily meat-focused and the restaurant gets down the mutton from northern Maharashtra, because that makes the best kebabs. All this effort shows and translates to deliciousness on the plate.
Food:
The Sultan Adana Kebap (₹239) is one of the stars of the menu. It’s made with finely chopped, not minced, meat, shaped flat around skewers and char-grilled. Sumac is the predominant spice in this gorgeously meaty kebab, with just the right amount of fat. The Adana and Gazia Kebap are similar with subtle variations.
The Inge Kebap (₹349) is from the Balkan region and reflects the melting pot nature of Turkish cuisine. These are meat rolls, tender and juicy. My pick of the meats here would be the Urfa Ribs (₹379) with their origins in Sanliurfa in the Anatolian region. The meat on the bone is infused with subtle spicing, and has a buttery richness, both from the quality of the meat and the careful cooking.
The Lamb Mandi (₹649), with its roots in the Levant, is deeply satisfying. The dish of flavored rice and tender meat is served with a rich broth. There’s also a family portion available that’s recommended if you are eating in a large group.
Sated at this point, I still yielded to the temptation to taste the Kunafa (₹389). It’s a portion large enough to share. This is one of the very best versions of this sweet I’ve eaten in Bengaluru. Kebapci takes the effort to source the right cheese to make the distinctive filling for kunafa. They serve sugar syrup on the side.
Do not miss the coffee here. It is, as the Turkish saying goes, black as hell, strong as death and sweet as love.
