New restaurant seeks to provide introduction to Afghan culture

November 29, 2022 | 12:10 am

Updated November 29, 2022 | 9:13 am

After a soft opening over the weekend, a new restaurant named Pamir Afghan Cuisine is ready to introduce Owensboro to much of the Afghan culture.

Edris Akbari, Khaiber Shafaq, and Tariq Pakzad moved to Owensboro in September 2021. During their first days, there was a bond in the Afghan refugee community that offered a sense of comfort when they needed it most as they adjusted to their new home. But as time has passed and they’ve been in their own homes, that connection hasn’t been the same.

“They didn’t have a gathering place and they didn’t have a place to eat in the community because of the specific type of food that they eat,” Shafaq said. “… So we said why not to come up with a place for them and then provide them these facilities and this place so they can come and have their holidays, good times and resting times.”

For now, that space will be inside the Windy Hollow Biscuit House (630 Emory Drive) on Saturday and Sunday nights.

It’s a place for the Afghan community to connect, as well as engage the wider community in one of Afghanistan’s most crucial cultural pieces: food.

The three said that in Afghanistan, food is about 50% of their culture. Even in new interactions with strangers, breaking bread can make the bond seem like a long-time friend.

So with their venture, the owners really hope to give people who haven’t had a chance to try Afghan food while providing a peek into the culture and becoming friends with those in the community.

The name of the restaurant also has special significance. The Pamir mountain range runs throughout Central Asia and partially through Afghanistan. While the three men are not from that region, they noted it is another way to signal the culture of Afghanistan.

The owners said the community has responded very well to the dishes they have to offer so far.

“The feedback is very good, and we didn’t expect that much support from the community, even though right now we feel very well because we are also a part of this community,” Pakzad said.

Currently, Pamir is open only Saturday and Sunday nights from 5-9 p.m. but they hope to grow into their own location and to be able to serve throughout the week.

To learn more and stay up to date, head to their Facebook page to see the menu and other information.

November 29, 2022 | 12:10 am

Share this Article

Other articles you may like