This is the first time I am having Iranian cuisine. Persian cuisine is a subset of Middle Eastern cuisine. There are a lot of Middle Eastern restaurants in Singapore, but Shabestan is the only one claiming to serve authentic Iranian/Persian cuisine.
Persian cuisine, also known as Iranian cuisine, is a culinary tapestry that weaves together a fascinating blend of ancient traditions, diverse regional influences, and a vibrant array of flavours. Spanning thousands of years, this delectable cuisine is deeply rooted in the cultural heritage of Iran, showcasing the country’s history, geography, and agrarian practices.
Falafel
Falafel is a vegetarian speciality found across borders, from the Nile to the mountains of Alborz. Fried chickpea patties, drizzled and served with homemade sauce
Mezze (Appetiser) Platter
Fresh herbs like parsley, cilantro, mint, and dill are used abundantly in Persian dishes, adding vibrant colour and refreshing flavours.
Borani Esfanaj, or spinach borani, is a dish fit for a Persian queen. Fresh spinach is mixed with fried onion, garnished with sun-dried yoghurt and saffron. Kashk-e Bademjan is an eggplant dip made from a mixture of sautéed eggplant, onion, mint and sun-dried yoghurt.
Shabestan’s homemade cheese dip, topped with olive oil, pistachio and raisins, was like a burrata and refreshing. Muhammara is a pasty blend of walnuts, pomegranate molasses, toasted breadcrumbs, olive oil, roasted peppers and Persian spices. And to round up the mezze platter was the quintessential hummus that a Middle Eastern restaurant is judged upon.
Persian naan has been mentioned in the Sassanid inscriptions of the 3rd century, proving that Iranian breads were baked and consumed since that period.This word was borrowed into a range of languages in the Indian subcontinent and Central Asia, where it came to refer to a specific type of bread. But naan is bread, so it is blasphemous to order naan bread, which is like saying ramen noodle.
Baghala Polo Mahicheh
The history of Baghali Polo with meat dates back to the Safavid dynasty, and it was considered one of the leading and popular dishes. Interestingly, Baghali Polo could be on the tables of Safavid kings and nobles. Baghali is Persian for fava beans or broad beans. Mahicheh or Lamb shank was cooked with special herbs and spices served with basmati rice mixed with lima beans and fresh dill.
Rice is the staple of Persian cuisine, and Iranians take great pride in their rice preparation. The crispy layer of rice at the bottom of the pot, known as “tahdig,” is a prized delicacy. It’s the perfect combination of crunchy and fluffy mixed with buttery, salty, spice-infused goodness.
Charcoal Grilled Platter
From left to right:
- Lamb Kubideh – Tender ground lamb leg and lamb shoulder with whole tomatoes skewered and charcoal grilled
- Shah Pasand Chicken – A special recipe from the Persian Gulf Tender boneless chicken breast marinated in saffron and herbs
- Chen Jeh Kebab – Premium lamb’ eye loin’ cubes, marinated in saffron and Persian herbs, skewered and charcoal grilled
- Fish Kebab – Charcoal-grilled seasonal fish skewer marinated in exceptional saffron sauce
- Prawn Kebab – Tiger prawns marinated in saffron and lime juice
The lamb kubideh was my favourite among the platter. The seafood was a miss, and so next time I would be picking their all-meat platter instead.
Faludeh Shirazi & Saffron Ice Cream
Often called “red gold,” saffron is used to impart a distinct golden hue and a subtle, floral flavour to many Persian dishes. Persian saffron ice cream used in this homemade special recipe ice cream with pistachio and cream. Faludeh Shirazi is one of those truly classic Persian desserts that originated from Shiraz, the city which the wine was named after. It is a thin vermicelli-sized noodles in a semi-frozen syrup containing sugar and rose water. This version was made with saffron water.
Persian Tea
Anywhere you visit in the Middle East, they would offer you a nice little cup of sweetened black tea. This was just that, nothing Persian about it.
There you have it, my first Persian dining experience. Not sure how authentic this meal was, but the flavours were quite complex. Everyone was very accommodating and worried that we were not used to the flavours. But be careful to over-order as the waiters would not stop you from doing so. Overall not a bad choice for Middle Eastern cuisine.
Shabestan Finest Persian Cuisine
80 Mohamed Sultan Road, #01-13 The Pier @ Robertson, Singapore 239013
Tel : +65 6836 1270
Visited Feb 2024
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