Poplar Central Asian Cuisine, Crows Nest

EDIT: Poplar Central Asian Cuisine has closed

Meat on sticks is good, but meat on swords is better. At Poplar, it’s chunks of lamb skewered onto swords of flattened steel, cooked over charcoal until smoky. Dusted liberally with cumin, the meat is tender and aromatic – if you’re lucky you’ll score a fatty piece that’s reminiscent of a caramelised lamb chop. The sword-like skewers are a throwback to the Central Asian soldiers of yore who would use their swords to grill meat over an open fire.


Zik kawap $12.50 for 5
Charcoal lamb skewers

The family-run Poplar has been open for two years but it’s quiet most nights bar a few loyal diners. It’s a shame because the menu offers a comprehensive selection of dishes that span the breadth of Central Asia, from lamb-filled Uzbek mantou buns to Kazakh lamb with noodles to Russian-style kotlet beef and potato croquettes. The interior is bright and clean, the menu is helpfully illustrated with photos and service is friendly and obliging.


Petir manta $12.50
Uzbek-specialty steamed manta

The zik kawap charcoal lamb skewers are a given. They’re so good you’ll probably order another round.


Dapan ji $20 small ($30 large)
Spicy chicken with potato and dried chilli served with freshly handmade noodles

Dapanji, meaning ‘big plate chicken’, is also a specialty and a much-loved favourite with Uighur locals. It’s a hearty comfort-food dish of chicken pieces on the bone, boiled potato, dried chilli and capsicum mixed through with handmade noodles that are satisfyingly chewy.


Piyaz poshkal $8
Shallot pancakes

Piyaz poshkal, or shallot pancakes, are also a winner – flaky rounds of pastry with a golden bubbled crunch.


Koy tili salad $10
Xinjiang-style lamb tongue salad

If you’re a fan of tripe, Poplar has you covered. The Xinjiang-style lamb tongue salad is vinegary and refreshing, but the lamb trip salad with capsicum is our pick with its sweeter dressing.



Kerin salad $15
Lamb tripe salad with capsicum

Relax. It’s not all innards. The gosh nan is like a pizza on steroids, a thick disc of bread cradling hunks of braised lamb on the bone in a lake of gravy.


Gosh nan $30
Braised lamb served on Central Asian naan



Suyuk ash $12
Xinjiang-style noodle soup

Finish up with suyuk ash, a massive bowl of Xinjiang spicy soup brimming with tomatoes, tofu, black fungus and noodles.



Terhemek salad $8
Cucumber salad


Sujuk $15
Xinjiang-style smoked sausages


Tuhum shorpa $10
Clear egg soup



Zik kawap $12.50 for 5
Charcoal lamb skewers





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Poplar Central Asian Cuisine (CLOSED)
Shop 2, 300 Pacific Highway
Crows Nest 2065
Tel: +61 (02) 9439 9886

Opening hours:
Tuesday to Sunday 11am-10pm

This article appears in the February 2013 issue of Time Out Sydney in my monthly Food & Drink column Eat This! [Read online] 

Read more Time Out Sydney reviews