RESTAURANT OF THE WEEK Petra Palace offers home cooking from Jordan
The food of Petra Palace / Courtesy of Shuttle Delivery
By Mark Boesch
In 2004, Yaser Ghanayem opened his first restaurant, Petra, on the hillside opposite Noksapyeong Station in Seoul's Yongsan District. The restaurant was an instant success, and in no time Yaser was on the phone with his brothers Basem and Khalid at home in Amman, Jordan ― trying to convince them to move to Seoul and open more restaurants. He proved persuasive and in 2007, the brothers opened their second restaurant, Petra Palace, also in Itaewon.?
The Ghanayem brothers serve authentic Levant cuisine, Mediterranean-inspired food from the modern-day countries of Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, the Palestinian territories and parts of Turkey. Food was always a big part of the family culture in the Ghanayem house in Jordan. Growing up with eight siblings, Basem said his mom was “always making something in the kitchen.” She taught her boys to cook from a young age and today they are making some of Seoul's best halal food. Petra and Petra Palace are locally known for their delicious hummus, falafel, shish kebabs, fresh salads and shwarma, all made with Jordanian spices and fresh ingredients.
Hummus from Petra Palace / Courtesy of Shuttle Delivery
For starters, look no further than the hummus and falafel. Hummus, made from cooked and mashed chickpeas, is a beloved and versatile staple of Levant cooking. Petra makes the best and silkiest hummus ever! Their recipe contains imported Jordanian tahini, olive oil, and lemon juice, and makes a delicious dip or a nourishing accompaniment to their other house specialty ― falafel. Their house recipe includes mashed chickpeas and vegetables, blended with parsley, coriander, onion, salt and house spices which are then deep-fried to create crispy, flavorful vegetarian patties ― the perfect complement for hummus and the star of their falafel sandwich.?
Falafel at Petra Palace / Courtesy of Shuttle Delivery
Don't forget to order a salad. Petra's lineup of house salads is made fresh daily and captures the tastes and flavors of the Mediterranean. The most popular is the Fattoush Salad, which is made of diced tomato, cucumber, onion, parsley, lemon juice and crunchy pita chips made with sumac. The combination of ingredients results in a colorful and tangy salad with a burst of flavors and textures. Other popular salads include the Tabouli Salad, Arabian Salad, Tahini Salad and Yogurt Salad, which are fresh, vibrant and herbaceous. Each salad brings a delightful balance of flavors and textures that complement the entree.
Petra Palace's Lamb Chop Kebab Platter / Courtesy of Shuttle Delivery
Bring your appetite because Petra's main courses will leave you full and satisfied. Shish kebabs, skewered and grilled meats, are a beloved culinary tradition throughout the Middle East. Petra's Shish Kebab Platter is a feast for one. The lamb is incredibly tender and juicy, it's made with minced Australian lamb, onion, fresh parsley and black pepper, and served over a bed of basmati rice, with an Arabic Salad on the side, and a tangy garlic and chili sauce. Basem's favorite is the Chicken Shawarma sandwich. The chicken is stacked and slow-roasted vertically on a rotisserie until it is juicy and tender. The meat is shaved and wrapped in flatbread and served with tahini sauce, vegetables and pickles. It makes a perfect meal to go!
Petra Palace is open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. except Wednesdays. If you're in Seoul's Yongsan area, you can skip the queue, pay online and place pickup or delivery orders using
or by visiting
.
Mark Boesch is co-founder and chief marketing officer of Shuttle Delivery.