5.091 Chicken Shawarma Sandwich with Salad

Cycle 5 – Item 91

6 (Sun) April 2014

Chicken Shawarma Sandwich with Salad

4.0

from Arabic Kitchen

in my apartment

-Ermita, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines-

with MK

Arabic Kitchen is a Middle-Eastern restaurant. The owner is from Dubai (I’m inclined to classify the food more specifically as Emirati, if only to boost the numbers in that category). Open 24-hours. First opened for business in early January (right after I’d moved in to Tower 1).

I’ve never sat down and looked at a menu.

In fact, on my first visit, I asked to see the menu, but they hadn’t prepared one yet – “soft opening,” the owner said. If I were to open a restaurant, the first thing that I’d do is write up a menu.

The only item that I’ve ever ordered is the chicken shawarma sandwich. In pairs, on at least a dozen occasions, though always as a late-night snack, which is why they haven’t yet been featured on GMTD.

On maybe my third visit, I saw a big bowl of the salad sitting on the counter, and asked the guy if he’d substitute the salad, instead of the typical lettuce/tomato/onion/pickle topping, and he agreed; no additional charge.

(2) Flatbread + (3) Creamy Garlic Sauce + (4) “Salad” (never bothered to determine what it’s actually called on; they know what I mean): sliced tomatoes, red onions, and parsley in a tangy olive-oil seasoning, usually served as a complimentary side with other dishes.

As far as I can recall, admittedly with minimal experience, the chicken shawarma sandwiches at Arabic Kitchen may be the best that I’ve ever had in my life. For starters, the chicken is tasty and juicy, nice charred flavor. The salad provides a burst of bright zesty freshness with every bite, further enhanced by the creamy garlic sauce. The bread is delectably chewy, with a rough rustic texture, just enough fat in the dough to keep it moist but not in the least bit greasy. And to boot, the final touch of toasting the wrapped sandwich on the hot griddle imparts a gorgeously light crust on the outside. Upon request, hot sauce is provided, but I never bother because the heat tends to mask the other flavors. I could eat at least 10 in a single sitting.