09 Jul MICHELIN Bib Gourmand-Recognized Khan Saab Desi Craft Kitchen Expands to Santa Monica
Chef-Partner Imran Ali Mookhi Brings His Celebrated Pakistani and Indian Cuisine, Signature Zero-Proof Beverage Program, and 100% Halal Menu to Downtown Santa Monica
Khan Saab Desi Craft Kitchen, the MICHELIN Bib Gourmand-recognized restaurant, celebrated for redefining South Asian dining through an elevated interpretation of Pakistani and Indian cuisine, is expanding to Santa Monica with its newest location. Building on the success of its flagship in Fullerton and its Hawaiian Gardens location, the expansion marks an exciting milestone for the growing restaurant brand by bringing its acclaimed South Asian cuisine to the Westside. The restaurant is currently in its soft opening phase and will celebrate its official grand opening and ribbon-cutting on Thursday, July 16th at 7:00 PM.
Originally founded in Fullerton in 2020 by Chef-Partner Imran Ali Mookhi and business partners Ahmad and Iqbal Hosseini, Khan Saab quickly earned recognition for its elevated interpretation of Pakistani and Indian cuisine. Becoming the first-ever MICHELIN-recognized Pakistani restaurant in Southern California, the restaurant has received a MICHELIN Bib Gourmand every year since opening and has become one of the region’s premier destinations for modern South Asian dining. Guided by its 100% halal philosophy, Khan Saab emphasizes premium ingredients, thoughtful preparation, and exceptional hospitality while introducing authentic South Asian flavors to a broader audience.
The menu is the vision of Pakistan-born Chef-Partner Imran Ali Mookhi, whose career spans more than two decades in acclaimed Southern California kitchens, including Tantra on Sunset, Tamarind of London, Dosa in San Francisco, and other celebrated restaurants. His menu reflects a refined culinary perspective, blending regional tradition with Southern California ingredients and seasonal influences. Guests can enjoy shareable, street-inspired dishes such as Pani Puri; Goat Cheese Kulcha with butter tomato sauce; and the signature Sloppy Khan—a playful riff on the classic Sloppy Joe, filled with keema pav grass-fed wagyu beef. Signature dishes anchor the menu, including Khan Biryani, wok-tossed Peshawari Chicken Karahi, Smoked Beef Kabob prepared with charcoal-smoked top sirloin, yogurt, garlic, shallots, and mustard oil; and tandoori-grilled Apricot Curry Salmon. Other offerings include various kabobs, wood-fired steaks, and slow-simmered curries such as Lamb Rogan Josh, Butter Chicken, and Nihari, as well as a selection of creative vegan dishes, including Bhel Puri with pomegranate and sesame leaf and Dal Lala Musa, among others. Desserts conclude the meal on a nostalgic note with Shahi Gulab Jamun, Rasmalai Milk Cake infused with rose petal milk and peach coulis, and phyllo-crusted Rasmalai Knafeh filled with savory-sweet cheese.
Complementing the cuisine is one of Southern California’s most innovative zero-proof beverage programs, led by mixologist Ahmad Hosseini. As the demand for sophisticated non-alcoholic cocktails and alcohol-free dining experiences continue to grow, Khan Saab has positioned itself at the forefront of the trend with thoughtfully crafted mocktails, including the Dirty Sprite (lime, salt, mint, and Sprite); Basanti Ecstasy (non-alcoholic gin, lavender-infused molasses, and lime); and Devil’s Kiss (Seedlip, passion fruit, lime, and jalapeño). The menu also features traditional beverages such as lassi, along with a curated selection of premium non-alcoholic drinks. A rotating water program showcasing rare mineral and spring waters from around the world further elevates the dining experience.
Design updates at the new location deepen the sense of place, drawing inspiration from the vibrant, bustling street culture of South Asia, featuring a hand-painted mural of an iconic 1930s mosque outside of Lahore, Pakistan. Rich layers of color, texture, and movement evoke the energy of traditional street bazaars, creating an atmosphere that feels immersive, dynamic, and rooted in cultural authenticity. An expanded dining room offers additional seating for diners to enjoy Khan Saab’s inventive cuisine. An outdoor patio overlooking Santa Monica Boulevard offers guests a relaxed setting just blocks from the beach.
“We’re excited to introduce Khan Saab to Santa Monica and become part of the bustling Westside dining community,” said Chef-Partner Imran Ali Mookhi. “Our goal has always been to showcase the richness and diversity of Pakistani and Indian cuisine through exceptional ingredients, thoughtful technique, and genuine hospitality, and we can’t wait to share the flavors and traditions of our culture that have earned Khan Saab recognition throughout Southern California.”
Khan Saab is open Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays from 2 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Khan Saab Santa Monica is located at 115 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401. Guests can also continue to enjoy the original Orange County location in Downtown Fullerton (229 E Commonwealth Ave, Unit A), and on the LA County border at 12155 E. Carson St., Hawaiian Gardens, CA. For more information, visit khansaaboc.com or follow @khansaab_restaurant on Instagram.
About Khan Saab Craft Desi Kitchen
Khan Saab Santa Monica is the newest location of the MICHELIN Bib Gourmand-recognized restaurant, redefining South Asian dining through an elevated interpretation of Pakistani and Indian cuisine and its commitment to a 100% halal philosophy. Led by Chef-Partner Imran Ali Mookhi, the restaurant blends time-honored South Asian recipes with contemporary culinary techniques to create a vibrant, modern dining experience inspired by the rich flavors and energy of South Asian street culture. Khan Saab also features an innovative alcohol-free beverage program with handcrafted mocktails and traditional beverages. With locations in Orange County and Santa Monica, Khan Saab continues its mission to introduce Southern California to a new standard of South Asian cuisine rooted in culture, craftsmanship, and hospitality.
Khan Saab Santa Monica is located at 115 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90401. The restaurant is open Monday through Friday from 4:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 2:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. For more information, to view the menu, or to make a reservation, visit khansaaboc.com.
About Chef Imran Ali Mookhi
Chef Imran Ali Mookhi is the award-winning chef and visionary behind Khan Saab Desi Craft Kitchen, the MICHELIN Bib Gourmand–recognized restaurant celebrated for redefining Pakistani and Indian cuisine. Originally from Karachi, Pakistan, Chef Imran has spent more than two decades honing his craft alongside world-renowned chefs and leading acclaimed kitchens across Southern California. His background includes leadership roles at acclaimed restaurants such as Tantra on Sunset, Tamarind of London in Newport Coast, Dosa in San Francisco, and Tumbi in Santa Monica. In 2013, legendary food critic Jonathan Gold wrote that Newport Beach’s Tamarind of London, where Mookhi served as executive chef, “may be SoCal’s best Indian restaurant.” Today, Chef Imran continues to push the boundaries of South Asian cuisine with innovative halal dishes, vibrant flavors, and contemporary presentations that honor tradition while introducing a new generation of diners to the richness of Desi culinary culture.
