Michelin Bib Gourmand (Fullerton) · Halal Pakistani and Indian · Hawaiian Gardens
By Monty Khas, Anonymous Critic. Pays every bill.
Some restaurants earn a Michelin Bib Gourmand once and coast. Khan Saab Desi Craft Kitchen earned its first in 2021, barely a year after opening in Fullerton, and has kept it ever since. Now Angelenos don't have to cross into Orange County to see why.
The people
Chef-partner Imran Ali Mookhi grew up in Pakistan and cooked his way through high-profile Indian kitchens, including Tamarind of London and Tumbi in Santa Monica, before opening Khan Saab in 2020. His idea was simple but rare: a fully halal, alcohol-free restaurant that treats Pakistani and North Indian cooking with fine-dining care.
The new location
In early 2026, Mookhi converted Shor Bazaar, his bazaar-themed restaurant on Carson Street in Hawaiian Gardens, into Khan Saab's first location outside Orange County. It's a short hop from Long Beach and Cerritos, and the menu carries over the Fullerton favorites.
What to eat
The karahis are the heart of the menu. Peshawari chicken karahi is cooked hot and fast with tomatoes, ginger and green chilies, and the Shinwari goat karahi pays tribute to the frontier cooking of Pakistan's northwest. Order fresh naan or a goat cheese kulcha to scoop it all up.
Khan biryani is fragrant and generous, and the nihari is slow-cooked until it's silky and rich. The Sloppy Khan, a spiced keema sandwich that riffs on the American Sloppy Joe, is the dish regulars swear by. Smoked beef kabob and namkeen boti show off the kitchen's skill with meat, while apricot curry salmon brings a sweet-sour twist. Pani puri and butter chicken keep the whole table happy, and dal Lala Musa, named for a town in Punjab, is the quiet star of the vegetarian side.
The bar
There's no alcohol here, and nobody misses it. The craft mocktail bar mixes fruit, spice and herbs with as much care as any cocktail lounge, making Khan Saab one of the best places in the region to celebrate without a drink.
Before you go
Reservations are available on OpenTable. Weekend afternoons and evenings are busiest, and big groups should book ahead. The original is at 229 East Commonwealth Avenue in Fullerton.
Why it matters
Khan Saab proved that halal Pakistani cooking could compete with the best restaurants in California. Its move into Los Angeles County gives the city's large South Asian Muslim community, and everyone else, an award-winning table closer to home.
The Quick Fix
What to order: Peshawari chicken karahi; Shinwari goat karahi; Khan biryani; Sloppy Khan; smoked beef kabob; apricot curry salmon; nihari; goat cheese kulcha; a craft mocktail
Pricing: Mid-range. Michelin-level cooking at neighborhood prices.
Best for: Halal diners, families, big groups, karahi lovers and anyone who wants a celebration without alcohol
How it compares: Southern California's most decorated Pakistani restaurant; more refined than Al-Noor, more traditional than Pijja Palace; its karahi and mocktail bar are unmatched in the region
See where Khan Saab Desi Craft Kitchen ranks: The Best Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi Restaurants in Los Angeles: Our Top 10 for 2026
The food was always this good. We're just paying attention.