Persian food is plentiful in the west Valley but harder to find in the east Valley. That will change with the arrival of Kaban at the base of Universal City.

Kaban joins Starbucks in a plaza at the busy intersection of Cahuenga and Barham boulevards. The name Kaban translates from Farsi as “master chef,” and chef-owner Masoud Abbasi brings more than 15 years of restaurant and catering experience—starting when he was 18 years old. He says, “I found my passion cooking in my parents’ kitchen.”

Masoud’s signature dishes are beef and chicken kabob, which he describes as “amazingly juicy.” He also has a recipe for Persian ice cream that he plans to utilize at Kaban.

Why Universal City? Masoud says, “This restaurant is located at the heart of the entertainment industry, which appealed to my interest in establishing a unique culinary experience for nearby clientele including businesses, residents and tourists.”

“Master chef” isn’t a term that gets tossed around lightly, but Masoud has the confidence and experience to back up the claim. We’ll see in May, when the restaurant opens for business.

3250 Cahuenga Blvd. W., Los Angeles, 323-498-0080