About Khan Saab Desi Craft Kitchen
Beyond their size, small businesses are defined by their spirit. And at the helm are their intrepid founders—scrappy, ambitious, and resilient. They invent and build things despite uncertainty, because it’s what drives them. Their risks lead to innovation that moves the world forward. And we need them.
Visited Khan Saab in Fullerton to try their Pakistani food. Since their chicken isn’t hand-slaughtered, we stuck to the beef and lamb dishes. We ordered the pani puri, pomegranate bhel puri, sloppy khan, smoked beef kabobs, Afghani seekh kabob, nihari, beef biryani, bhindi masala, and naan. The food was good overall, everything was well cooked and flavorful, but nothing really stood out enough to make it memorable. Portions were fine, but the prices felt on the higher side for what you get. I’ve had Pakistani food I enjoyed more at places like Kinara in SF, which sets a higher bar in terms of flavor and value. Overall, it was good to try once, but not somewhere I’d go out of my way to return to, even if I was in the area.
My take on Khan Saab Desi, Fullerton, CA After years of eating my way through Southern California’s ever-expanding South Asian dining scene, I finally sat down for a long-overdue meal at Khan Saab Desi in Fullerton. The restaurant has generated plenty of buzz, and walking in, I could see why: the ambiance leans upscale, modern, and intentionally curated—an attempt to present desi cuisine with a fine-dining flourish. But a restaurant’s soul lives and dies in its food, so here’s how the dishes stacked up. Malai Chicken Kabab – Mildly Pleasing The malai chicken kabab arrived tender enough, carrying the signature creaminess you expect, but it never quite took off. The seasoning stayed shy, almost hesitant, as if it was holding back from delivering the kind of richness that defines great malai kababs. Pleasant, but forgettable. Tandoori Chicken – Competent but Not Captivating Tandoori chicken is one of those benchmark dishes—if you nail it, diners trust you with anything. Here, it was fine: the char was there, the color was right, but the depth of smoky spice felt dialed down. It landed squarely in “okay” territory. Biryani – Aromatic but Missing Spark The biryani followed a similar pattern. It carried the fragrance you want from a well-built biryani, yet the layers of flavor didn’t quite unfold the way they should. It felt more assembled than composed. White Rice – Underwhelming White rice shouldn’t be complicated, but it also shouldn’t be an afterthought. Here, it was serviceable but lacked fluff and care—more filler than complement. Chicken Karahi – The Undisputed Winner Then the tide turned. The chicken karahi arrived and immediately pulled everything back into focus. This dish was bold, vibrant, and unapologetically flavorful—exactly the kind of fiery, aromatic brilliance you hope for from a karahi. The tomato-forward gravy, balanced with green chilies and spices, clung beautifully to the tender chicken. Easily the highlight of the meal. Garlic Naan & Regular Naan – Outstanding Both naans, garlic and plain, were stellar. Soft with just the right chew, blistered in all the right places, and sturdy enough to scoop up sauces without collapsing. If bread is a restaurant’s backbone, Khan Saab’s is strong. The Wine List – A Mismatch One notable misstep is the attempt to offer wine in a space marketed as halal. While the restaurant may be following its own definition of the term, the inclusion of alcohol feels off-brand and incongruent with the identity they project. It’s a jarring detail in an otherwise thoughtfully crafted atmosphere. Final Thoughts Khan Saab Desi is a restaurant with ambition—sometimes it clears the bar, sometimes it brushes against it. The highlights are genuinely excellent (the karahi and naans alone are worth a trip), but the rest of the menu needs more confidence and consistency to match the restaurant’s upscale framing. There’s potential here—serious potential—but it shines only in pockets.
What an atmosphere, amazing food and of course the service. If you love desi food then you can’t miss Khan Saab! Absolutely amazing, every single dish was mouth watering…OMG it is food heaven. If you are in the area or close by don’t miss Khan Saab and much have!
We had a fantastic dining experience at this restaurant! Some of the best Indian food in LA. The food was delicious—rich in flavor and perfectly spiced except the Khan biryani which was too spicy even for us. All the kabobs very excellent. The butter chicken was good. Loved the desi street foods including bhelpuri and panipuri. The service was excellent—friendly and attentive. Food is all labeled for allergies and there is plenty of gluten free options. The ambiance is slightly noisy but worth it for the food. Overall, this place offers an authentic taste of Indian/Pakistani food . Highly recommended for anyone looking to enjoy great Indian cuisine in LA.
I can’t say enough good things about this place. Naan the size of an elephant ear and dough is perfection. Need I say more!? We were blown away by the Shrimp Curry Everything was just steeped in spices and a love for food and family. Walking in here is like a warm embrace. We probably should have had a reservation but they kindly found us a nook to squeeze us in. The place was packed, as it should be! We were treated like family. I’d be back in a heartbeat if we lived closer. Don’t pass up the opportunity to eat here. Yes there are spicy items, but many mild and delicious too, just ask if you’re sensitive! But if you prefer bland food then by all means move along people, not your place.