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# Overheard : Origins of Kabuli Pulao
- URL: https://kudithipudi.org/overheard-origins-of-kabuli-pulao/
- Published: 2026-08-27T01:02:20.000Z
- Updated: 2026-08-27T01:03:10.000Z
- Description: TIL that Kabuli pulao may not be named after Kabul after all. The dish is rooted in the cooking method known as Qabili palaw and is believed to have originated in northern Afghanistan, with strong ties to Uzbek culinary traditions.
- Author: Vinay Kudithipudi
- Tags: Food, OverHeard

TIL from a [video review](https://example.com/?ref=kudithipudi.org) of food from Afghanistan that Kabuli pulao doesn't get its name from the city of Kabul, as is commonly assumed.

Per [Bilal Wardak](https://www.instagram.com/bilalkwardak/?ref=kudithipudi.org): 

> the name "Kabuli" is often mistakenly believed to link the dish directly to the city or province of *Kabul*. In reality, the dish is rooted in a specific **cooking method** (often spelled with a "Q," such as *Qabili palaw*). The dish is believed to have originated in **northern Afghanistan** (areas like *Mazar-i-Sharif* or *Kunduz*) and is closely linked to traditions among Uzbek communities.

The carrots and raisins make sense now. A lot of traditional Uzbek dishes use raisins, apricots, and other dried fruits to [enhance flavors](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uzbek%5Fcuisine?ref=kudithipudi.org).