The Best Persian Food In NYC Is Hidden In A Pizza Shop | Legendary Eats

Hidden away in a corner of a pizza shop, Taste of Persia NYC serves traditional Persian dishes to its customers from a counter at the front window.
Owner Saeed Pourkay started the restaurant with the help of his neighbors after becoming homeless. Pourkay's meaty dishes require seven to eight hours of simmering and cooking. INSIDER producer Medha Imam visits the restaurant to try out the traditional cuisine, gets a behind-the-scenes look into the restaurant.
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The Best Persian Food In NYC Is Hidden In A Pizza Shop | Legendary Eats

[@InsiderFood]

What other legendary places should we visit next? Let us know in the comments below!

[@f8ed556]

As a Persian myself I need to go stick knives into my ears after hearing those

[@anahita1]

@@f8ed556 why?

[@f8ed556]

anahita1 the way they said the words killed me

[@thechef.]

@@f8ed556 me too

[@mani.ahmadi]

Guys the owner of this restaurant (Pizza Paradise new york) which has sublet his part of store has kicked this guy out and has stolen his recipes without his approval and has made a copycat of Taste of Persia. PLEASE DON'T GO THERE ANYMORE and if you can go and write a review for pizza paradise new york. This guy has devoted more than 8 years of his life to this place, and the crooked owner has done this to him.

[@lauramaskell1653]

Do you know where he is now?

[@shembeliever6095]

Oh gosh how unfortunate this is just terrible! Didn't he mention it was his friend who sublet the premises to him?

[@sumayaali273]

Wait, where did u get this info from?

[@mani.ahmadi]

@@lauramaskell1653 apparently does catering now a days. Not sure if that's because of covid or as a long term business plan. www.atasteofpersia.com/ facebook.com/TasteOfPersiaNYC/

[@sumayaali273]

@@mani.ahmadi the URL for the GoFundMe campaign isnt found

[@jitter366]

If you are Iranian then you will realize how peaceable, lovely and deserves respect this man is without need even his speaking.

[@taliasok778]

LOL IM PERSIAN AND WHEN I SEE PEOPLE ENJOYING MY CULTURE I GET REALLY HAPPY :)

[@G59.aryarad]

lmao just like every other persian person!!!

[@Infiniteemptiness]

@@G59.aryarad I WOULD SAY JUST LIKE ANY OTHER PERSON WHO DOESN'T APPRECIATE FOREIGNERS APPRECIATING THEIRS CULTURE AND CUSINIE ❤️😋

[@nr1421]

Caps

[@stjohnbaby]

I love Persian food,great culture.

[@petervangeli6656]

Great....one side persian..one italian.....working together.....a great role model for how the world should work! Thx for sharing and best wishes!

[@nicholassimonds2658]

Not 100% sure and not to take away from your comment , but pretty sure Sammie is a Persian guy who owns and Pizza joint not an actual Italian

[@Red4350]

@@nicholassimonds2658 yeah I think he has it as a Pizza shop to attract customers...if he names it Persian cuisine in NYC he might not have a lot a lot of customers...well not nowadays but before

[@VanCityGal]

2 best foods on the planet in one place. Heaven for me!!

[@emil8228]

Anche io, che coincidenza

[@Ethannesss]

let's not ignore that before this he became homeless because he did not want to work for someone else, but MADE this happen after. *claps*

[@user-eu7md1ew9s]

Lets not forget he is a Legal Immigrant. So for that i support him.

[@VanCityGal]

"It's like magic soup." Couldn't have said it better myself. Best soup on the planet! It's a crime that it's not more well known around the world.

[@kaitlynk4615]

What a sweet man, his food looks amazing

[@dumptrump5284]

As a Persian-Italian-Portugese-Turkish person, I can confirm that all the food is GREAT

[@The_FatGeneral]

how do you have so many nationalities

[@dumptrump5284]

TheFatGeneral My dad is Persian-Turkish and my mom is Portuguese-Italian

[@lucascoval828]

What?

[@shafikyusope6456]

You do know it takes only 2 people to make you

[@f.iph7291]

​@@shafikyusope6456 but it takes two people to make each one of his parents.

[@johnmellos9946]

I'm Greek American. I love Persian food. Once a week I get my koubideh fix.

[@splash2976]

I visited Iran before, and their foods are amazing. Cant stop eating.

[@farangisyazdani5073]

Great report. Just wanted to mention that Ash Reshteh’s original recipe does not have Cardamom, cinnamon, or ginger. The spices are salt, Pepper, and turmeric. It is possible that this is his version of the recipe.

[@FieryFlamingFajitas]

I have some Persian friends and so I've tried some of this food when they've cooked great big feasts for the family & friends. It's so unique and full of different flavours 👌👌👌

[@senpai7404]

all my favourite Iranian dishes im in love wish i lived in nyc

[@MawenMendoza]

Never tried Persian food in my life! Looks really good 🤤🤤🤤

[@ANTHURIUMm]

@@scottmedina7365 ew gross wtf. Dont say that in the youtube comments

[@denispasilan6788]

@@ANTHURIUMm yea What a perv

[@denispasilan6788]

Same

[@notalberto92]

Scott Medina cannibalism

[@waaahl]

@@scottmedina7365 How about you don't speak unless you're spoken to? You dense cabbage...

[@mendolo2008]

Only in NY. This guy is a gift. You can see it in his eyes.

[@sasakihaise5739]

Thank you for showing westerners our cooking!❤

[@DramaticQuantom]

People who have never tried Persian food are definitely missing out! Takes a long time to prepare but definitely worth the wait.

[@GREG_Khar-NÜ-Metalhead2000]

Nope...not all ppl love persian food

[@beepot2764]

I will have to try it!

[@HOTPLATEGAMING]

i’d rather eat dirt than persian food

[@GREG_Khar-NÜ-Metalhead2000]

@@HOTPLATEGAMING haha

[@poorang900]

@@HOTPLATEGAMING i mean you are a frog you have no taste.

[@diegoayala6114]

Yes this spot is worth checking out Saw Medah immediately recognized her and had to tell her how I like watching these food vids. Keep up the good work ..👍

[@b.k8051]

2:01 Can we agree that Saeed was the cutest 7-year-old in the history of 7-year-olds?

[@cphghost8950]

I dont think so

[@-4subscriberswithahammerad521]

Why do they hide the tastiest food?

[@scienceandknowledge4655]

Hammer Addiction4u maybe trump makes some sanctions for it😂

[@ajisenramen888]

That is why is it “Persian” 😉

[@Cerberus571]

Aidamoon how is that racist?

[@peymanmalek4051]

I am very lucky that there is a store in walking distance of me that makes authentic aush-e-reshteh

[@mmmhmm9344]

He seen like a very nice person, I live in NYC i'm going to try this and hopefully it's good.

[@skylarcooper8496]

MmmHmm come back and give us a honest review 😂

[@kinglos3004]

Lets us know how it is

[@saptakmukherjee3051]

So did you try it?

[@akll7238]

@@saptakmukherjee3051 .

[@grimreaper440]

Long live Persia hope this beautiful country with such a rich history becomes free of its incompetent rulers soon, so the whole world finally sees its true colours.

[@FieryFlamingFajitas]

@@ralibabab yes but not everyone who's from there refers to it like that. I have friends from there who call it Persia and I have friends who call it Iran. Potato, potarto

[@hassanhijazi477]

Its Iran. Allahu Akbar Khamenei Rabar

[@grimreaper440]

That Rad Guy absolutely the country is called iran but I was rather talking about how it’s screwed now while it was one of the greatest countries before the revolution. Hope it’s going to see better days soon.

[@profilepicture828]

That Rad Guy onion onyon

[@ms_0317]

Taha Karimi Taha Karimi so Iran before the revolution was great because their dictator shah was an anerican puppet, but now when their dictator is not a western puppet Its not great anymore. Stop lying the iranian regime before the revolution was just as incompetent as the current one, but atleast the current one is actually working for Iran and not a puppet of the West.

[@zzzz-ok7733]

This wonderful Persian man is so inspiring!💎💎💎👍

[@niki7943]

Persian food is soooo good 🤤🤤 I'm craving some so bad rn

[@mugensamurai]

This man is the true Prince of Persia .

[@johng81818]

Mashala Saeed. Bravo!! I will definitely be visiting and looking forward to trying your amazing restaurant the next time I’m visit NY. I hope you will have my favorite dish, Ghormeh Sabzi.🤤❤️

[@MickyAvStickyHands]

That work ethic of being homeless between careers only b/c he didn't want to work for someone else is such a typical Iranian trait. No money today, but in 10 years you own your own home and have two businesses.

[@RangerBrian-if3nt]

I’m never watching this channel ever again cause every time I watch it it’s making me hungry

[@Mary87-qo1er]

I love persien food,please share more Iranian recipes

[@yr5135]

If you plan on trying it get the ghormeh sabzi with polo and ask if they have tahtick. If it's a cold day get ash reshteh with kashk on it.

[@nickap.fallah4921]

I CAN'T STAND HOW THIS GIRL IS PRONOUNCING ALL THE WORDS

[@realtalk7571]

God bless this man and his shop

[@moonbin4570]

alas, why did I watch this at 2 in the morning? now I'm hungry 😂

[@taylorchanna]

He’s freakin adorable!!! Great story. 💙💙💙

[@bethanycooke2115]

I LOVE fasenjoon and zereshk polo! I would love to eat here one day!

[@AgnostosGnostos]

The music at the end of the video is Greek but it doesn't matter. Greeks after all have adopted many things from the middle east and especially the cuisine.

[@kamikazitsunami]

Persian/Iranian food is awesome! We don't have it where I live now though.

[@mustafadahodwala]

He's voice is so calming.

[@thomasrainbow]

That soup sounds incredible!

[@senshai1267]

Watching this in 2020. Still love this series .

[@redramiro]

Oh she's the lady from the Texas BBQ video who didn't try the actual food but looked super pumped describing it. Happy to see her try the food.

[@MoxieBeast]

Looks so good!!! And so new york 😂

[@michaelandrew4812]

Lovely video great to see this man so passionate about cooking,his culture and his background.I am sure he cooks with lots of love and dedication.

[@kamikazitsunami]

I used live across the street from a high and person restaurant in Orange County California. I ate there about once a week. The food was amazing. Unfortunately in the state that I moved to there is not one single Persian restaurant.

[@sarakhayami999]

I miss Iran’s food!!! It’s sooo delicious 🤤

[@Timenow1]

Persian Cuisine is *yummy* 😍🍲❤

[@Lord_Stark1]

He needs to get his own restaurant ASAP

[@kinglos3004]

Naw. It'll be to much to handle. That lil space is perfect for him

[@kitchenpractical7967]

Appreciate it! This a impressive video.

[@omidfilms]

Finally Persian food done right!

[@xXDERPTRAINSXx]

Her pronunciation is Killing me

[@basharcali]

She's Pakistani

[@mowzrascal2350]

Not pronouncing it good enough for your white taste?

[@mercurygm]

How do you know the person is white?

[@bvedant]

@@basharcali nah I think she's Bangla

[@marmary5555]

@@bvedant whatever she is, her pronunciation is NOT the way Persians pronounce these names.

[@zzzz-ok7733]

Never seen that kind of food before but I would be first in line to try out the whole menu!!!💟💎💟💎!👍

[@tongkatali7643]

The food looks beautiful

[@darkrose3176]

I've been to Iran & l eat all this and it so so yommy 😍❤

[@Y2ANJ]

I used to get their soups at the Union Square markets every year they were out there except this year, can't wait for things to get back to normal.

[@just4uamnda]

Just because of the food market NYC is a must!

[@tinaschlobohm9386]

Persian food is delicious!!!!! This looks really good.

[@ManOfSteel1]

4:38 you are so busy in acting you forgot to mix thr soup and surprisingly got a flavor burst, lol.

[@jalfrezi3602]

lmao

[@nainmayoudavich7541]

Did you ever taste the soup doe? peopel dont mix it in or the crunchy parts get all soft and ewwish

[@Red4350]

maybe it was her first time? idk I never tried it so I would not know either

[@ololusername]

@@nainmayoudavich7541 are you Persian? I am and my family mixes the soup. You are supposed to or you wont get a balanced bite. Everything has to incorporate :p

[@fmaleknia]

@@nainmayoudavich7541 indeed, here in Iran some mix and some don't. I don't as the crunchy part would become soft, so if you not mixing you should know to how to get portions of each part in your spoon to have a balanced taste of all flavours.

[@anthonybranco]

That food looks amazing.

[@rita6459]

Thanks🙏🏻from California 💐

[@v4t4n]

I love ashe reshte, infact gonna call my mom and ask her to make it. I wish I could buy it ready where I live.

[@DoctorSkillz]

Well, did she make it for you?

[@v4t4n]

@@DoctorSkillz Hahaha she promised to call on tuesday😂 All the best!

[@fabiolamartinez8253]

Can’t wait to go in July and what a hard working guy!!!!

[@Busybeeee]

Even my mom can’t make Ashe Reshteh like this! I would go to New York, just to have it!

[@sulihakaj6524]

Damn that's a few blocks away from me and I never ate their. Heading their now.

[@MH-go9wn]

There*

[@PqKiller25ToLife]

@@MH-go9wn 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@shwdzzz]

IT LOOKS AMAZINGGGGGG I AM SO HUNGRY!!!!!

[@QueenOfTriad]

i wanna try it.. looks so good

[@MRony]

Saeed Pourkay was evicted by the new owner of the pizza shop. Not only that, the new owner started to sell Persian food with a very similar sounding name and similar looking graphics to try and dupe Saed's old customers.

[@AkodoNoEyes]

I want to try the magic soup. Haha the food looks so good.

[@adamevenotmyancestors7555]

This is thr greatest video I've ever seen.

[@MEHDIZed3D]

We as Persians have Many different types of soup , that I'm Sure You will be Amazed by tasting them

[@saharrostami5240]

5:12 He is so sweet!!

[@Shaayanet]

Ash reshteh is good but try ghormeh sabzi , you won't regret it

[@GenevieveThornton]

Shayan ghormeh sabzi is to die for 🤤

[@VanCityGal]

2 best foods on the planet, hands down.

[@Kunhikkas]

I love Persian food!

[@farzanhoma6028]

Oh you definitely are an amazing Persian cook💥🎉🙏💓

[@khokha9701]

Love u from kuwait this is famous dish in kuwait its really healthy for body

[@huynhthethong9276]

When times get hard, I always laugh off to through the difficult situation or I will make the giant food in order to ease the tension or my mind

[@IMIMIMIMI]

This is a lovely video 🥰

[@FoodandFootprints]

*Heard good things about this spot - looks awesome!*

[@russiancyborg4330]

That beef stew looks sooooooooooo good.

[@ziggymorris8760]

Try Kabul in douglaston and Pa Daq on Horace Harding road, both in queens, but excellent Persian food in NYC.

[@olddirtyboston8217]

Very excited for this.

[@nodrama490]

Bean soup? Intrested , please show more Persian food

[@raquelgilles5140]

This is mouth watering even never tried to eat Persian food 🤤🤤🍲👄😭 okay someone wants to eat persian food?! Leggo 😋🍜🍜🍜🍲🍛

[@JKMCraveTV]

*Great Video!!! THUMBS UP!!!* 👍👍👍😀

[@ativvieb9351]

In Kuwait You can get Ash literally everywhere.. and it's really delicious

[@chrisa6455]

Mashallah I wish I could deliver to California

[@atiqulislam6082]

So persian food is good!

[@aidanmokalla7601]

Great video! For future reference, "ash" is pronounced "aash" (rhymes with josh) not "ash"

[@mehraanaa]

Woow, it looks great😍

[@tonythomas1949]

I love her job

[@mlucifer9069]

good video.

[@rezaf6611]

God please give us more persian food videos !

[@aliamubashirfoods]

looks so delicious

[@tanyakarazan8094]

Really amazing story

[@KHISA_06]

Love this owner

[@dollarchange2917]

Good times

[@denniskim9498]

1:08 Damnnnn ok Saeed ok

[@ellisellis9117]

iloveu... Medha!!😍😍😍😎😎👍👍👍

[@hgh805]

Nice video, everything looks delicious. Can you tell me where are you located in nyc??