Why new Afghan restaurant Kabul Social is drawing crowds
Kabul Social, run by Afghan refugees, has hit the spot in the CBD — along with a growing list of lesser-known cuisines. Here’s where to find Uyghur, Indochinese, Nigerian and Ethiopian flavours.
Confidential
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A casual dine-in and take away Afghan restaurant, run by women, is drawing crowds in the Sydney CBD.
Kabul Social is the latest venue in the Plate it Forward family, a social enterprise which creates change through food.
The venue is run by Afghan refugees who have left Afghanistan because of the regime changes, some arriving just months ago.
A fortnight after opening in the heart of the MetCentre, the line of people wanting to try the food stretches out the door.
The menu is inspired by traditional Afghan flavours, with dishes served across three categories – dumplings, Kabuli ‘burgers’ and build-your-own lunch boxes.
The Kabuli burger is an interpretation of a recent Afghan street food trend and playfully called a burger by the team and includes a choice of four fillings – charcoal chicken, slow-cooked lamb, eggplant or pumpkin folded inside Afghan bread along with fries, and a red pepper or green chilli chutney.
The custom Afghan bread is made to order at Kabul Social by Afghan refugee, and Kabul Social’s ‘chief of bread’, Yakut.
Co-founder of Plate it Forward Shaun Christie-David said the response from the public has been incredible.
“For a team that have never worked in hospitality, they have pulled off the impossible,” he said.
“We’ve been so grateful to have lines out the door of 15 minutes long that we know are challenging for the team, but they have stepped up, worked out the best processes and workflow and have delivered a consistent product which is rare given the huge increase in customers daily.”
Christie-David adds the amount of regulars has been encouraging.
“What we notice is that people from many different countries are comparing it to a similar dish from their country while noticing quite a few different twists, but as the food is cooked by women from family recipes the nostalgia of home cooked authentic food is universal and emotive.”
Not only does the social enterprise offer employment opportunities for those women, but people who eat at Kabul Social are also paying it forward.
Under a ‘Giving Squared’ model, every meal purchased at Kabul Social will see two meals donated to Afghan communities in need both in Australia and in Afghanistan.
While Lebanese and Turkish foods are already popular in Sydney, Afghan cuisine is often overlooked.
But the establishment of Kabul Social, as well as other restaurants like Zac’s Great Food in Bella Vista is showcasing the unique flavours the country has to offer.
Kabul Social is open Monday to Friday from 11am to 3pm.
LESSER KNOWN CUISINES ARE WHERE TO FIND THEM IN SYDNEY:
UYGHUR CUISINE
Featuring the recipes of a persecuted minority in China, Uyghur cuisine is unlike the Chinese takeaway you’re used to. The best way to describe this hidden gem is a mix of Asian foundations with Middle Eastern flavours woven in.
Ashfield’s unassuming Silk Road restaurant is the perfect spot to try out this cuisine.
Confidential recommends trying any of the several dishes featuring hand-pulled noodles or unique stir fries like the black fungus with vegetables and fried egg with garlic chives.
AFGHAN CUISINE
Sydney has no shortage of Middle Eastern eateries, ranging from your corner kebab shop to swanky date-night joints, but it’s often limited to Turkish or Lebanese.
A lesser-known option rapidly gaining momentum, particularly in Sydney’s west, is Afghani food.
Zac’s Great Food in Norwest is the place to go if you’re up to try recipes like mantu dumplings, delicious, steamed dumplings that are topped with a garlic yoghurt sauce, or a sour plum lentil curry.
For dessert, try a sweet saffron risotto.
INDOCHINESE
Another spin on classic Chinese, this cuisine originates from Chinese immigrants who had moved to Calcutta in India in the late 1700s and decided to cook their traditional recipes with the flavours of their new home.
Over the years, Indochinese has become incredibly popular in India and if you look closely, you’re likely to find a dedicated menu section at most Indian joints.
But for first-timers, Confidential recommends heading to Indian Chopsticks in Harris Park – a restaurant dedicated to the cuisine. Must-try dishes including Manchurian dumplings, either dry or with gravy, and Schezwan noodles.
NIGERIAN FOOD
Although Sydney is a melting pot of all kinds of cuisines, African food remains underrated in Australia.
The under-representation is criminal given how delicious Nigerian dishes can be.
Head to Newtown’s Little Lagos to look through a menu where it’s quite possible that you may not have tried any of the ingredients on offer. Confidential favourites include Fufu, a ball of boiled, pounded cassava or yam flour, spicy jollof rice and delicious caramelised fried plantains.
ETHIOPIAN FOOD
Another option for those interested in learning more about African culture, is Ethiopian food. The cuisine, which is served in Blacktown’s Gursha Ethiopian, is again a mix of ingredients many would not have seen more.
A typical meal includes injera, which is a spongy fermented flatbread made of teff grains, served alongside stews and curries.
Gursha has plenty of vegetarian and vegan options as well as dishes to suit meat lovers.
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