 PETRA
The owner of Petra restaurant went all over Seoul looking for
the delicious Arab dishes he loved to eat back in the Middle
East. There were a few restaurants which claimed to have Arab
food, but after sampling the so-called Arab cusine at these
establishments, he was disappointed to find that that the cuisine
was usually a version of Indian curry. While Indian curry is
delicious in it’s own way, it’s taste is nothing
like the tagine, couscous, fruit marinated stews and ethnic
dips he loved so much back home. About a year and a half ago,
the owner decided to open Petra to introduce this flavorful
cuisine to Seoul. Petra is a legendary monument built in stone
in the country Jordan and the cuisine at Petra comes from this
region known as 'sham'. In Arab, 'sham' means north representing
the four countries of Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Palestine.
There is also a Morrocan influence to the menu. The food and
atmosphere at Petra is as authentic as it gets. Exotic smells
waft from the kitchen with overtones of cumin, coriander and
fruit. Of course one will ever know exactly what the blend of
spices is because it’s a secret recipe (perhaps dating
back as far as the ancient stones of Petra). There are so many
different things on the menu, you’re hard pressed to choose
just one. We asked the owner what the house specialty was and
he said all the dishes were equally popular. To start, there
are delicious dips which come with fresh-out-of-the-oven pita
bread. You have hummous (ground chickpea with olive oil), babganoush
(ground eggplant with spices and olive oil), a tart and creamy
yogurt dip or a tomato and eggplant dip. The main dishes include
lamb or chicken tagine, chicken tikka, and chicken stews infused
with different fruits. There are also grilled meats and kebabs.
The rice infused with Arabic spices is super tasty and the falafel
is simply the best I've ever had. If you still have room, try
the Sah'Lab, a popular creamy winter drink which takes a bit
like creme brulee in a cup. They don't serve alcohol, but you
can bring your own wine or beer if you must.
The atmosphere of Petra makes you feel like you are backpacking
in the Middle East and you just happened to come across a delicious
neighborhood joint. The décor is simple with a few accents
of the Middle East, like lavish red and gold glasses with Arab
writing and a few hooka pipes on a shelf. The dishes are a good
value for the copious amount that you get, and the service is
very welcoming. It feels as if you're a guest in the owner’s
home.
Petra is on a high corner between Itaewon main street and Noksapyong
station. The owner Yaser says if it's your birthday, bring your
ID, and your meal is free! But call ahead first to make a reservation.
552 Itaewon-Dong 02) 790-4433 or 019-840-9630 petrarestaurant@hotmail.com
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