Babani's

"This Kurdish spot in St. Paul has all kinds of unique-for-Minnesota dishes. The Dowjic soup comprised of chicken, rice, yogurt, basil, and lemon is creamy and tangy, light and filling all at the same time." - Cinnamon Janzer

"Open since 1997, Babani’s claims to be the first Kurdish restaurant in United States. Start with a bowl of the dowjic soup — made with chicken, rice, and broth seasoned with lemon and basil. Recommended dishes include the kubay brinj — a rice-based dough filled with spiced ground beef and fried; as well as the kubay sawar — a crushed wheat dough filled with spiced beef and sautéed in olive oil." - Matthew Awad, Stacy Brooks

"Rediscovering my love of West Saint Paul and all the restaurants there has really shifted my perspective that there’s better cuisine to be had that doesn’t have to be in the major Twin Cities. From Babani’s to El Burrito Mercado, there’s tons to be had in West Saint Paul, and they do it right." - Eater Staff

"Said to be the first Kurdish restaurant to open in the U.S. back in 1997,Babani’sis housed in a gulag-blocky, Dunder Mifflin–esque office building. It’s not hip by any stretch, but the food is transportive. I live for the kubey brinj—crispy fried rice dumplings stuffed with ground beef, minced onions, and walnuts. But no meal is complete without pillowy Kurdish bread and a steaming bowl of dowjic: yogurty, lemony chicken soup for the soul." - ByAshlea Halpern