Chopan Kabob, Afghan Halal Cuisine - Concord

Banjan Borani at Chopan Kabob in Concord.

We've been hearing about this highly-regarded Afghani Restaurant in Concord for some time now, and gave it a go last night (1/29/18). This first dish consists of fried eggplant with a house-made masala sauce, topped with yogurt and mint. All the constituent flavors and textures seemed familiar, and given the presence of the Silk Road, it makes sense that one would find elements in this cuisine east and west, and yet, the sum is greater than the parts. In this dish, and with the Aushak, I felt like I was eating Afghani Cuisine for the very first time. I wonder what elements are left out because they might be challenging to American tastes? Such as Goat meat and Goat milk products?

House-made naan.

Aushak: steamed dumplings filled with leeks, topped with vegetable sauce and garlicky yogurt sauce. Pronounced lemon flavor. Dumpling skins similar to Chinese rice flour dumplings, almost translucent. I've never tasted anything quite like this.

Chopan Kabob: Freshly grilled lamb chops in tandoori oven seasoned with herbs and spices. Served with rice, naan and a garden salad. Perfectly tender lamb chops.

Bite-size portion of the Aushak dumplings.

Baklava.

Highlights from a recent visit (7/21/18). Above: Aushak, below Eggplant.

Above: Lamb Karahi, below Pita.

Above: Rice & Salad, below: Spinach.

Above: Yogurt.