The Biggest Somali Food Platter - Damal Restaurant London

After visiting Al Khaf The Boys were in the mood for another evening of Somali food, They went over to Damal Restaurant in Stepney to try a massive Sharing platter of Somali food
Dishes:
Sharing platter 4 ppl, containing Hanid, Sogar, Rice and served with Green and Red Chilli Sauce
Somali chai
Snickers Cakes
Parking: You will struggle in the day, street parking will be available in the evenings but it is pretty tough
0:00 teaser
0:14 intro
0:44 arrival vibes
2:18 menu review
3:11 the mysterious hole
2:35 kitchen walk through interview with one of the chefs
3:01 platter preparation
5:10 the platter arrival
6:00 full platter unveil
6:45 banana attempt
7:45 Chilli sauce review
8:30 Chai review
10:45 doggy bag attempt
11:00 head chef interview
13:30 Overall Review
The workers assured us the whole depicted in the video was for electrical works being carried out

[@shazadhussain4467]

Wowwww!!!!! I tried the hanid at this place when I recently visited London… I’ve never eaten lamb more tender and juicy. I was blown away by the flavours of the Somali food… we don’t really have Somali food up north… but seriously… this would kill it. The price… the portion… the taste… wow!!!

[@halalhangouts]

👍👍👍

[@IsmaAragto]

Xawaash is the spice mix for the sauce and cooking. The spice mix for the tea isn't actually called xawash and we name the individual spice such as cardamom (heel), cinnamon (qorfo), Ginger (sanjabiil). We cook those spices inside the tea and if you see a TEABAG, that ain't a Somali tea.

[@halalhangouts]

Nice explanation where can I get Somali tea?

[@maa2252]

We need to invite you to our house for a nice Somali home-made tea.

[@Shvkour]

​@HalalHangouts make a somali friend invite you, hopefully their family js skilled in the west

[@nastehagulled578]

@@halalhangouts Just ask a somali auntie to make you shaah dhaka jabiye 😂😂 That is proper name for Somali tea

[@halalhangouts]

@@nastehagulled578 lollll

[@watiflappynounou3302]

We have been there in Ramadan, they were very busy. Food took a bit long to come but was worth the wait. Simple food but very tasty and eating by hand made it tastier 👍

[@halalhangouts]

Eating with your hands is a different experience

[@fahiimae7336]

Masha Allah . Somali food is delicious, yummy! There is so much blessing with how they serve so much food with little money 👍🏼😋

[@halalhangouts]

Yeah the portion sizes are great and taste so good

[@abdikani_Curious]

We felt Proud when you eat from our Somali restaurants. ❤❤ We are thankful for choosing our restaurant among others.❤ حياكم الله بالاسلام وتوفاتكم بها.

[@halalhangouts]

We love Somali food we want to try more

[@abdikani_Curious]

جزاك الله خيرا اخي كريم.

[@mamunahmed892]

I am so glad that there's a new Somali place in Stepney, the Al Kahf restaurant can be difficult to access as it's so busy so nice to have some competition in the area!

[@halalhangouts]

Yeah competition is always good

[@munaismailmohamed8044]

Omg Yeah the food is nice there

[@iqrahassan491]

I am from somali Somalia food is amazing and somali food is in complete without the green chilli and banana you guys are amazing thanks

[@halalhangouts]

Thanks iqra please share the content with your friends and family we want to spread the word :)

[@iqrahassan491]

I will insha allah

[@cawoludfa8962]

Amazing guys all the way from the states… As Somalian American I love the way you review the restaurant anyhow you all should give the old man Jilaani 5 stars.

[@halalhangouts]

We love Chef Jillani the best hospitality

[@sm.5191]

❤🇸🇴♥️thank you for trying somali food👏🏽

[@felisabdi3794]

Banana is to cool down the hot spicy green called basbas, so if you guys tried rice with hot green sauce with meat then the banana comes as cooling appetite to make you comfy to continue enjoy your food❤

[@halalhangouts]

Ahhh ok I see, do you eat the banana on its own or do you mix it in the rice

[@mamunahmed892]

@@halalhangouts either habibi

[@kc8563]

Great video uncle biqbal ❤

[@HFC786]

Looking forward to watching

[@halalhangouts]

Hope you have had a chance to watch

[@kalchoudhury8150]

Burning the late night oil to provide us an essential culinary service as always. Great job guys. I would never think to go here but after this video, I will.

[@halalhangouts]

Thanks Kal, we do enjoy your comments

[@mdot1504]

Need to try this place - looks amazing…

[@halalhangouts]

Definitely worth a visit

[@gulledhaydar]

Classic! That rice dish you're talking about in the viedeo was pretty tasty. I mean, I had the same yesterday but who needs meat when you can have fish which is plentiful and cheap here in Somalia? And let's not forget about those two different hot sauces. You're living life on the spicy side, my friend!

[@halalhangouts]

Yes we are spicy heroes

[@ramatgan1]

Thank you for trying our food. Our food is very similar to Yemeni food.

[@byjefe]

Need to try this place out!

[@halalhangouts]

Next time you are in london make a fly by and give us a shout

[@hodonnuur]

Best food ,mashaa Allah

[@kalamuddin4253]

Amazing

[@averyj5446]

Oh my goodness that looks delicious.

[@halalhangouts]

It was delicious

[@abuasfur7334]

You need to go to Kulan on Lea Bridge road, get lamb and one of their dinners, their chappati is better than any asian paratha (and that’s coming from an asian), get their spinach and mash too (it comes in the dinner). I’ve tried a lot of somali food and this is the creme de la creme. Oh and it is clean!!! Phone in advance for the lamb. Honestly its the best.

[@halalhangouts]

Heard the hygiene wasn’t great on the Google review s

[@abuasfur7334]

@@halalhangouts most likely a one off as any time I’ve been it’s been very clean. Also they were closed in Ramadan for refurb works so any issues have likely been resolved. Also 4.9 stars on Google is very good, not sure why you picked up on one 3 star review? Also, if al Kahf is anything to go by then you will be pleasantly surprised by Kulan. Surprised you didn’t pick up on the hygiene issues there (plenty of google reviews on that topic) that place is putrid with no standards at all - will never return.

[@adenamiiroali303]

Maasha-Allaah tabaaraka-Allaah.

[@ismacilsaleban7845]

Manshaalahaa tanks brother good food manshaalahaa

[@halalhangouts]

Definitely banging

[@millgoheff3577]

I recently went to a Pakistan restaurant in Whitechapel, and they tried to copy Somali food they failed badly. MashaAllah Somali food is special 😋 it cannot be copied.

[@East.London]

Which Pakistani restaurant you finding in Whitechapel, most of them from ilford Walthamstow lol😂😂

[@hanab4292]

I was scared when he tried to eat spoon full of red chili 😂. This was fun to watch. Keep doing more.

[@halalhangouts]

Thanks we have lots of videos please check them out

[@hanab4292]

@@halalhangouts yes I’ve subscribed so I will check out more of ur content

[@salmaanluude3461]

Thank You My Bro For Trying Our Food

[@NSalah2006]

Yeah that meat and rice, the Suqaar, and basbaas, are all some of the typical Somali food. The tea though?! Usually Somali tea has the spices cooked in already NOT added in the cup😊 cardamom, ginger, cloves, and cinnamon are usual spices used for tea. On side note, I agree they should do something about that hole, hygiene is important when serving food.

[@abzheinz]

Well done

[@deeqa2771]

Salaam my brother yes ,indeed (i a m proud of your guy s❤❤❤❤

[@halalhangouts]

Thanks you :)

[@abdullahhassan2940]

MashAllah

[@hudahaashi9826]

As somali we proud of you thank u❤

[@halalhangouts]

You’re welcome, we would like to experience more Somali culture

[@ia7362]

I think they gave you caano shah (milk tea), you should’ve asked them for the proper Somali shah (they boil the freshly grounded xawaah in it). The dead giveaway that the tea wasn’t the authentic Somali shah is the tea bag being left in, the authentic Somali tea would blow your mind.

[@halalhangouts]

Where can we get it

[@ia7362]

@@halalhangouts I don’t live in London, perhaps the Londoners can help you out.

[@safiya1770]

Xawaash is a savoury spice mix never used in tea only rice, meat, and stews etc. Shaah (Somali tea) uses black tea leaves, sugar, cardamom, cloves and cinnamon. Sometimes also ginger. You can add milk or have it black

[@ia7362]

@@safiya1770 There’s two types of xawaash. We use xawaash in our shah also, however it differs from the bariis/basto xawash.

[@mahaddesign7811]

I love Somali tea and samosa

[@einladungzumerfolg880]

Mashallah ❤

[@biznezzplus]

Throughout the world, Somali Food is recognised and many people are converted. In America, Canada, UK, Dubai, Istanbul, Nairobi, and many other locations, the food is available and people love it 😂 Bon apetit!

[@Phuong.Nguyen-]

Pretty image ❤😊

[@kayzonfoxAlGhazali]

I know the chef is from Barawa, Somalia definitely because my wife's from there as well. Allahuma Barik 🙏❤️

[@halalhangouts]

What are the special dishes in barawa

[@suheylaadam9584]

@@halalhangouts barawa are just Somalis

[@farhiaadeed2227]

The food look very delicious

[@halalhangouts]

It wss

[@SuperExcuse]

How do you know did you tasted 😀

[@halalhangouts]

@@SuperExcuse I was the one eating in the video

[@ahmedessa7644]

The banana keep it sweet taste especially with the mix of salad and meat. Also the hole gives the place flavour 😅. When the place or customer service bad the food is 10

[@ashamuhammad1982]

😋😋😋😋😋😋😋😋😋😋 This made me hungry 😋

[@ramatgan1]

They should have given you the malawah flaky bread and maareg soup with onion salad and basbass. As starter as soon as you sat down. This is basic guest greeting in Somali culture.

[@erinknightingale251]

Malawah is a flatbread/crepe. I think you meant sabayaad

[@blueblue5427]

@@erinknightingale251 It’s crepe but I see you know your stuff masha Allah

[@mohammedrahman2156]

If I get chance to go to Somalian restaurant inshaAllah I’m gonna try , their food greetings from Michigan usa

[@halalhangouts]

Heard about Michigan, Muslim population is pretty heavy there right?

[@mohammedrahman2156]

@@halalhangouts mashaAllah the largest Muslim community in North America is in Michigan

[@halalhangouts]

@@mohammedrahman2156 wow that’s amazing

[@nasraqaali7050]

Fingers crossed is shirk brother. We adopt so many of their ways without realising when we live among kufar.

[@halalhangouts]

Thanks for the reminder

[@zshan311]

Whats sharing from the same platter like. ? would like to try it

[@halalhangouts]

Yes eating with hands with your brothers is a different vibe

[@munaismailmohamed8044]

I have eaten there many times . I was living near the restaurant. But brother Try the Al kahf restaurant Omg its amazing the food there . Its in Whitechapel before reaching east london masjid

[@halalhangouts]

Thanks for watching my brother watch our other videos we cover Al Khaf too, if you are from the area you will like the video :)

[@mateulahoz9396]

Ilove Somali food because very sweet my favourite food in London

[@halalhangouts]

Do you like the banana?

[@mateulahoz9396]

@@halalhangouts yes ofcourse

[@sunnymike4251]

Mouth watering food show. 📹 😁🙌🔮

[@halalhangouts]

Thanks mike check our other views I am sure you will love them

[@user-ic7wt8zf2h]

Woow soma..lia food ❤❤❤😊

[@ahmedhussain999]

Where is Shaz bai? Its rare he isn't on for multiple episodes. Did he say his name was Rudy Guilliani?

[@TheHajinator]

the restaurants here are good

[@ashaa8961]

Can you review Savannah Restaurant in Shepherds Bush. More upscale Somali dining for sure!

[@halalhangouts]

A few people have said that, what are their prices like?

[@ashaa8961]

@@halalhangouts around £15pp person if you're ordering rice&meat

[@halalhangouts]

@@ashaa8961 that’s still really good

[@TheAbuFulaan]

@@ashaa8961 it’s only upscale in terms of decor but the food you can get better in other places, number four is the best Somali restaurant in London for me

[@Nickname-sk1oh]

Savannah does the worst somali food

[@rokiahtajuddin2089]

I like to taste Somali food❤

[@mahdihassan-yp2vp]

As somalia we proud you damal

[@blueblue5427]

Xawash consists of Cardamom, red cloves. Ginger, cinnamon. These spices also have medicinal properties.

[@halalhangouts]

Wow thanks for the info watch our other videos we like your insightful comments

[@blueblue5427]

@@halalhangouts Will do brother . Much love from your Somali sister 💝

[@user-et2ng1qb2m]

And also cumin, pepper and tumeric too depending on your family recipe. Always remember to lightly cook the spices on a pan before blending. Be careful not to burn- you just want enough to toast it and smell the fragrance.

[@halalhangouts]

@@user-et2ng1qb2m this is a great way to get the flavours out

[@darshitcumdeepgupta6998]

£12/£13 a head is amazing for London. Looks good

[@halalhangouts]

It really is!

[@ifraax1159]

Hadii aan joogi lahaa meeshaan waa ka shaqeynlahaa wax badan ayaa ka qaban lahaa

[@murwo78]

You should come to Minneapolis USA. We have a lot of restaurants.

[@halalhangouts]

Is there a big Somali community in Minneapolis?

[@murwo78]

@@halalhangouts Yes ! A lot even we control here Masha Allah Politicans.

[@cabdixakiimmuwaadin]

They will never beat Al kahf

[@zackboyhood4963]

The bangali brother & hole Was one of Kind hunger story 😁 Next time don’t skip the banana

[@sHimaaLi_x1]

it’s my blood 😭❤️

[@abdihassan9239]

all somali food ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐.....................period.......!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[@historypublishers]

Banana hot sauce some rice and meat …. That’s how you eat it ….I bet if you tired it like that you low key love it lol

[@halalhangouts]

I did the bisbas with the rice and banana I couldn’t get used to it, I think the more you try it, it could grow on you

[@abdihassan9239]

4 star????? cm on bro should be ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐......................cheers

[@blueblue5427]

I see you are a humble man. Eat with your hands .

[@halalhangouts]

It is good to eat with hands but unfortunately I am not used to it

[@blueblue5427]

@@halalhangouts You might not notice but you do war with your hands. Eating a sandwich. We don’t use fork or spoon do we? How about when holding an apple? Or eating nuts and candy? Do we eat fries and wings with fork😊 there’s much blessing with eating with your hands especially your right.

[@SeekingAjar]

11:32 man said “Somali hospitality”. Didn’t even know that existed lol

[@halalhangouts]

Haha it’s now a thing

[@HR-3]

Not sure with banana as part of a main meal. But the meat food looks delicious.

[@halalhangouts]

Banana 🍌 is an acquired taste :) worth a try

[@theancientsancients1769]

Banana is a sider that some enjoy with their food and not a must .

[@suheylaadam9584]

It is not a must, you can enjoy it with out eating the banana with rice

[@halalhangouts]

@@suheylaadam9584 thanks, that’s how I like it

[@emhq583]

Grew up eating banana with White rice, just add some milk/cream/condensed/evaporated milk and pinch of salt to the White rice

[@halalhangouts]

Was that for suhoor?

[@raashidiinabdullahi5583]

Am fasting but already felt hungry

[@halalhangouts]

Sorry, these videos always make me hungry :)

[@Nazz77]

Why he is looking😂 Holls 😂😂 wrd akh

[@darshitcumdeepgupta6998]

Can you review some Chinese places please

[@halalhangouts]

Where do you suggest

[@shahbasith2784]

Theres not many eat in Chinese restaurants 😢

[@frankadaado2722]

@@halalhangouts Thainese on Hoe Street its 10/10

[@pesser]

​@@halalhangouts Etles Uyghur Restaurant Hoe Street E17 9PP

[@CompUter-oo7er]

Yes, this is how they do it in Somalia but food tastes so much better in Somalia as the animals feed/breed naturally and eat organic. Taste is second to non!

[@Sara-ed7ol]

That lamb its so juicy and tender . I am drooling 🤤 We don’t dip our banana in to the rice. Rather we eat with it😅 Somali tea its added with cardamom, cinnamon, cloves and ginger. I am really disappointed with the cleanliness in the restaurant. Also the loud background put me off to go to Dalman.

[@halalhangouts]

It is very loud for sure

[@halalhangouts]

Maybe take some head phones

[@MissUnderstood17]

Somali tea and pakistani tea are similar in their spices not dure why they gave you a plain breakfast tea! I find they use similar spices (to Pakistani cuisine) in the food but their taste is still unique.

[@halalhangouts]

Yeah the tea was disappointing I think I need to try it from somewhere else

[@theancientsancients1769]

​@@halalhangouts That was not Somali tea. That requires preparation time , so they have English tea with few Somali spices which creates a fake Somali tea lol

[@halalhangouts]

@@theancientsancients1769 where do you know, that serves good Somali tea

[@erinknightingale251]

Yes some south Asian dishes are similar! We even use some Hindi words in somali

[@nadiahassan7993]

Which country ?

[@halalhangouts]

Somalia

[@nadiahassan7993]

I meant the restaurant is in the US or UK 🇬🇧

[@halalhangouts]

@@nadiahassan7993 ah ok it’s in the uk

[@ms7857]

Brudda you never grab a piece of banana, “dip” it into rice and think it’ll be nice 😂😂

[@theancientsancients1769]

The tea was not Somali tea, that requires preparation it was just English tea few Somali spices. The banana is a social media myth NOT a Must!! Its like chilli you add or not

[@theancientsancients1769]

Beside the banana is more of southern Somali thing in high banana growth region

[@halalhangouts]

@@theancientsancients1769 so they don’t normally do banana in the north?

[@halalhangouts]

Where can we try authentic Somali tea?

[@theancientsancients1769]

@@halalhangouts In the north less so, however generally it's like side thing like a chilli would be the banana. Usually the diaspora young people say we eat everything with banana and spread this myth 😃

[@theancientsancients1769]

@@halalhangouts In London, I don't know to be frank, however there used to be a cafe called Westside Cafe in shepherds Bush that used to do Adeni Tea , I'm not sure if it's open or not anymore though. Its tougher to find Somali tea in London for some reason 🤔 😂

[@lovelyunicorn610]

Liinta miraheeda aa kaaga dhacay yogarka ilmaha ka ilaali mar walbo caano miir isticmaal saftiga abaayo

[@munalizashow5969]

MashAllaah yes that is how we cook and I luv my Somali food coz you can actually test the food/meet and we don’t but too much spice. Somali rice, Hanid meet and of-course banana. The other thing it’s not expensive as other restaurants. 🫶

[@halalhangouts]

Agree really good value for money

[@kingkenzokwansa]

Proportion size you eat 1 teaspoon of banana with 3 tablespoons of rice and meat. I can have my rice without banana I'd be fine but I can't have my pasta without banana. For me it's banana with basto iyo maraq hilibshiid (bolognaise style with somali xawaash) I might be the only Somali doing that lol

[@OliverYavet]

Uncle Jailani looks like normal Bangoli Uber driver in London

[@halalhangouts]

🤣

[@pesser]

Yogiz on romford rd is another one

[@halalhangouts]

Is that a Somali place?

[@pesser]

@@halalhangouts yep

[@ashamuhammad1982]

You guys eaten up all 😂😂😂

[@halalhangouts]

We love it

[@zackboyhood4963]

Habibi come to Mogadisho If you want the real test of Somali food 🍱

[@halalhangouts]

Would love to

[@absbse]

Which somali restaurant has the best haneed in london ?

[@halalhangouts]

Al Khaf

[@saidomohamed3442]

U guys become a soomaalian one day rice with banana 🍌 😋 👌 😍

[@faay8912]

Tea should taste like a peoper thick chai tea and back home they even do it with camel nilk so if that tasted like english tea it easnt done properly lol😅

[@jamesbriton5545]

Where da banana there? 🤣🤣

[@yaasinyare4569]

Banana not for me? I will be fasting that day if i don’t get banana to eat with my rice or spaghetti lol

[@halalhangouts]

Lol

[@maryankuluc2023]

Balo idinla qaylo dheeraatay cuntadeenu waa macaan tahay balse Yaa dhaqanka noo hagaajin car maqaayad kale oo saa looga qayliyo arka

[@user-pm8zf2ei5p]

Waa caadi qaylada waxan cuntadeena cunaya hanaga bartaano😂😂😂😂

[@eza882]

❤🇸🇴🇸🇴🇸🇴💙🤍

[@faebalina7786]

our restuarants lack aesthetic lol

[@halalhangouts]

For sure but I think that is changing

[@truecomment3650]

Waryaa Ingiriiska barta suqaar xataa ma sharxi karo wiilka jikara kkkk

[@amyharding7150]

I have been there twice and i can say some of the most tasty food I have ever had. Also be careful with the green sauce its HOTT!

[@halalhangouts]

Definitely hot

[@samatarxasan778]

soomaali qaylo wlhi meel walbo joogaan hadda naaghaaan maxay laqaylinayaan

[@halalhangouts]

👍

[@JustNas90]

Did the guy say “Afghani rice” when asked about Somali rice? What influence has Afghanistan ever had on Somalia lol? I think he misunderstood the question poor guy and was basically saying he can make different types of rice😂.

[@documentariesinchd3070]

We do it much much better hack home it's called Sab meaning like gathering wedding the rech chili supposed to be better than green and we have cadiriyad or tambi is the small noodles friend in ghee till dark brown add juggery and sultanas and then water let it bake so so good sweet u rat with any spicy instead of banana

[@halalhangouts]

Sounds amazing, where is back home?

[@alhabib001]

That’s means 30mins of waiting no praying no praying no praying just waiting foodZiin

[@halalhangouts]

Lol.

[@Winters949]

Why is your beard so shiny?

[@halalhangouts]

I eat lots of fish brother

[@akisheharara]

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته Brother Just ditch finger's Cross, ain't us

[@halalhangouts]

Jzk for reminder

[@hodanabdulkadir9019]

You guys need to go somali house to be invited that’s where you can see the really cuisine in depth culture when tea comes like that with out the spices it’s big fault in the culture every thing has to be on point