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KAR-DISH-IAN DELIGHT
I tried Kim Kardashian’s favorite ‘Armenian pizza’ – she knows where to go for authenticity but don’t make her mistake
It was a favorite of Robert Kardashian, Sr.
KIM Kardashian often touts her Armenian roots, even gushing about eating "Armenian pizza" on Instagram.
But the dish, called lahmajoun, is still unknown to a lot of her fans — so I ordered from her go-to restaurant to try it out.
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The recipe for lahmajoun calls for a flatbread topped with ground beef seasoned with tomato paste, garlic, parsley, and lots of spices.
It can be found in quite a few countries, as Armenian cuisine has been spread throughout the Middle and Near East since the first Armenian genocide.
In 2020, Kim showed off a box of it that she'd purchased from in a video on Instagram
"Who knows about lahmajoun?" Kardashian said, having some trouble pronouncing the name.
"This is our Armenian pizza and my dad would always put string cheese on it and put it in the oven and get it really crispy."
Kim is fourth-generation Armenian-American on her father's side.
"I'm so excited. You guys have to try this bakery," she gushed.
Though she clearly loved the dish, her pronunciation was a bit off, and she soon found herself at the receiving end of internet mockery.
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It wasn't her first time name-checking lahmajoun, either: She teased her sister Khloe for calling ex-husband Lamar Odom by the name in a 2012 tweet.
"How cute… @KhloeKardashian just called @RealLamarOdom Lahmajoon! Thats Armenian pizza! LOL #ArmoSlang," she said.
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I decided to taste the dish too, ordering from Papillon International Bakery in Los Angeles — just like a Kardashian.
Being of Middle Eastern descent myself, I grew up eating lahmajoun and to this day, it's one of my favorite comfort foods.
I've typically had the dish from Middle Eastern bakeries on the East Coast, so it was my first time trying the specialty from Kim's favorite spot.
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When it arrived, it was less fancy than what she filmed on Instagram — I guess I don't get the Kardashian treatment.
I found it sitting on my doorstep in a generic plastic bag, between two paper plates instead of inside a secure takeout box.
I decided not to judge a book by its cover and give the "Armenian pizza" a shot.
After the first bite, I immediately knew it was a good choice for authentic lahmajoun.
It was spiced to perfection and had the perfect level of crispiness on the edges.
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DOWNSIDE FOR DINNER
Due to LA traffic, by the time the lahmajoun reached my Airbnb, it had cooled down significantly and required reheating.
The presentation was also horrendous and didn't look like the takeout box in which Kim received her order.
I did appreciate that it was securely tied in the bag, but would have preferred a proper takeout container.
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KEEPING UP WITH TRADITION
I would order Papillon International Bakery again, but I recommend eating it in-house, where it's fresh out of the oven.
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The taste of the lahmajoun was on point, taking me back to my own childhood days of picking some up from the Middle Eastern bakeries in my hometown and enjoying them with my family.
I can absolutely understand and appreciate why Robert Kardashian, Sr. passed this dish along to his daughters, keeping their heritage alive.
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