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
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
View Larger Map
Poplar Central Asian Cuisine (CLOSED)
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
posted by Helen (Grab Your Fork) on 1/25/2013 01:07:00 am