Noosh stands apart from other Middle Eastern eateries

When you live in Delta Township, the busiest street is the fast-food metropolis known as Saginaw Highway. With so many instantly recognizable franchises, like McDonald’s, Taco Bell, Panda Express and KFC, that it’s easy to miss a little place like Noosh Afghan Cuisine, located in a strip mall off Waverly Road. 

Noosh opened in 2023, replacing Nola Bistro, a Vietnamese-Cajun restaurant I always wanted to check out but never got around to trying. Noosh also flew under my radar for a long time, but after a friend of mine gave it high praise, I decided to swing by on my lunch hour.

Noosh is the first authentic Afghan restaurant in mid-Michigan, something the owners are obviously proud of. The walls are decorated with Afghani flags, paintings and other works of art. As for the food, anyone who thinks Afghan cuisine is the same as the Middle Eastern fare they’re used to is in for a surprise. While there are some similar dishes, like shawarma and kabobs, Noosh has plenty of Afghani specialties that can’t be found at any other Middle Eastern restaurant in town. You don’t get pita bread, you get naan, a thicker and chewier kind of flatbread. It’s good, but the side order consists of three large servings, so it’s probably best to share it among a group.

I ordered the chicken shami kabob plate. Shami is a patty made from minced chicken cooked with onions and fresh herbs. The plate normally comes with rice, naan and a side salad. However, due to the parasite outbreak going on at the time of my visit, the restaurant temporarily cut salads from the menu. This was several weeks ago, so things might have changed since then, although I appreciated both the extra rice and that the owners were prioritizing customers’ health. 

The shami wasn’t as spice-forward as chicken shawarma, but it was still packed with flavor. It would be a good option for those who don’t think they can handle the spicier foods Noosh has to offer. When it comes to rice, I’m not fussy. As long as it’s not noticeably raw or overcooked, I have nothing to complain about.

It’s hard to believe that Noosh is the first Afghan restaurant in the Lansing area. After experiencing it for myself, I’m glad the owners took a chance on Delta Township, and I hope they’re successful enough to both stay in business and encourage other Afghani entrepreneurs to open their own eateries. Our dining scene could always use more diversity, especially in these divisive times.