Afghan Chef Launched Kor Kitchen in San Luis Obispo
Sophia Zekria opened the county's first Afghan catering business in March 2024.
Updated on Sept. 26, 2026 in Dining Out
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Sophia Zekria launched her Afghan catering business, Kor Kitchen, in San Luis Obispo in March 2024. The venture stands as the first establishment of its kind in the county, operating from a commercial kitchen on Allene Way.
Why it matters
The catering business serves as a bridge for sharing Afghan culture within the local community while providing a stable path for Zekria and her family after their 2022 relocation.
Kor Kitchen currently operates out of a commercial kitchen at 4750 Allene Way, with retail products available at the SLO Food Co-op. The menu features traditional dishes such as borani banjan, borani kadoo, and salata.
The players
Sophia Zekria
She is the founder and chef of Kor Kitchen who relocated from Kabul to San Luis Obispo to establish her catering business.
Kor Kitchen
This is the first Afghan catering business operating in San Luis Obispo County.
SLO Food Co-op
This local organization provides a retail location for the distribution of Kor Kitchen's Afghan food products.
The details
After fleeing Kabul in 2021 and living in a refugee camp in Abu Dhabi and a hotel in Virginia, Zekria moved to San Luis Obispo to build a new life. She uses her culinary skills to package traditional meals for retail sale as she works toward opening a physical restaurant space.
Timeline
August 2021: The Taliban took control of Kabul.
2022: The Zekria family relocated to San Luis Obispo.
March 2024: Kor Kitchen officially launched.
Thursdays: Food items are sold at the SLO Food Co-op.
Culture Shift
Kor Kitchen exemplifies the trend of immigrant-led micro-enterprises shaping local food scenes through traditional culinary heritage. This movement marks a transition where local residents increasingly gain access to global cuisines directly from home-based entrepreneurs.
Local residents can support the business by purchasing traditional Afghan meals at the SLO Food Co-op every Thursday. This enterprise provides the community with unique access to authentic regional cuisine that was previously unavailable in the area.
The takeaway
Zekria's journey from a refugee camp to a local business owner highlights how culinary arts can provide both economic stability and cultural exchange. Customers can contribute to this local growth by engaging with the products currently available at regional retail outlets.
Further reading
Discover more local culinary developments in the Dining Out section.
More information
For more details on the menu and upcoming offerings, visit the Kor Kitchen official business website.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Tribune.
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