“Food has the power to bring people together on many levels. It nourishes the body and soul and is an expression of love.”
— Chef Hamid Noori, owner, The Mantu Express
I have been serving delicious Afghan cuisine to the people of the Valley of the Sun for over 15 years, maintaining a tradition of pride and excellence.
My life is a beautiful combination of two great arts - writing poetry and cooking.
Cooking is my passion, and my creativity is deeply connected to my physical and spiritual life. In 2019, my dream of opening a fine-dining Afghan cuisine restaurant called The Mantu in Richmond, Va. finally came to life. I created various recipes to introduce Afghan cuisine to the world and am thrilled to share my culinary creations with my customers.
In 2022, I opened a neighborhood grocery store called The Mantu Market with my talented nephew, Ali Karimi, who is passionate about serving people. The store offers a range of Afghan grocery items to the community.
In 2024, I opened The Mantu Express, which offers healthy fast-casual Afghan and Mediterranean cuisine. The menu features a variety of dishes, including mantu, a traditional Afghan dumpling, and other Afghan-inspired foods. I’m excited to continue sharing my love for food and culture with even more people in the years to come.
“In Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C., established Afghan restaurateurs are reaching out to help refugees fleeing the return of the Taliban.”
An Afghan Chef’s Hard-Won Career Blossoms in Richmond
“Noori is now chef/owner of The Mantu in Richmond, Va., and rather than striving to master French gastronomy, he’s teaching his adopted city about the heart, nuance, and poetry of Afghan cuisine…”
"'When we serve, we put our passion, our souls and our love on the plate. That’s all we have,' Noori says.
PRESS
From Kabul to Richmond: A Chef’s Dream Comes True with Richmond Restaurant Opening
What’s it like for a refugee to rebuild their career in Virginia? One man – who was an executive chef in Afghanistan – took jobs in small kitchens cooking for buffets. But he never lost hope.
“It's named after my favorite dish, mantu, a stuffed pastry shell served with a flavorful sauce and spiced beans available in vegetarian and non-vegetarian versions. — Keya Wingfield, owner of Keya & Co
Celebrating the skills, passion, and creativity of the MVPs of the area’s culinary scene in 2022
Afghan Cuisine’s Rice Dishes—Delectables of the Silk Road
The most renowned Afghan chef in the US is Hamidullah Noori. Chef Noori heads the popular restaurant in Virginia called The Mantu, which opened in 2019.
Chef Noori Opens The Mantu Express in Short Pump
The Mantu Express, from Chef Hamidullah Noori of The Mantu, has opened at 11636 W. Broad St., next to Regal Short Pump cinemas.