7 May 2013

Koochi Afghan Cafe. A review

| Jonnie
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platter

Went out for a late lunch over the weekend at Gungahlin, we didn’t feel like Asian food which seriously limited our choices, it was suggested by Mrs Jonnie that another cafe had opened that was Middle Eastern of some type.

We walked over to Hibberson Street and found the Koochi Afghan Cafe – we were shown to a table in by a very pleasant gentleman who is the son of the owner and ran us through the menu. He seemed pleased to be asked for a coffee how is would be served traditionally, which turned out to be a very hot short black with cardamon seed. The kids wanted juice, orange for one and pineapple, the gentleman (who introduced himself but I’ve forgotten his name – shame!) apologised when he told us that the pineapple juice would be from a bottle, but the orange juice was fresh squeezed – none needed i thought!

We asked for a variety of starters, a platter for two and some chips for the kids (and maybe me).

All of the starters were eaten in short order, most meaty, some vego and all great.

The platter came out (pictured) and was just as good, heavy on the meat, lentils and spices. Excellent meal and the chips were eaten last.

Just over $40 for a good lunch that was something a little different – brilliant.

Good luck to the owner and well worth a visit.

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screaming banshee6:57 pm 22 May 13

Jonnie said :

(cue waving fist).

Do they have pool tables too? Awesome

I ate there myself quite recently and like you, was inspired enough by how good it was to write a restaurant review on my foodblog. Definitely worth a try in my opinion.

Jonnie said :

Perhaps I should have said ‘we didn’t feel like Chinese, Thai, Indian or even the small Korean place on the main street’?

Those orange things in the middle are lentils which were great and balanced the meat out nicely.

Thanks for the positive comments and correcting my geography – looking at you pk (cue waving fist).

Or Vietnamese or Japanese or the Malaysian down at Yerrabi

Perhaps I should have said ‘we didn’t feel like Chinese, Thai, Indian or even the small Korean place on the main street’?

Those orange things in the middle are lentils which were great and balanced the meat out nicely.

Thanks for the positive comments and correcting my geography – looking at you pk (cue waving fist).

patrick_keogh said :

johnboy said :

In australia the term “asia” is erroneously used to mean “east asia” which I think was clear in this usage.

Yep. Glad to see you helping to correct this error.

jb beat me to it… sounds delish – rarely get to gunghalin, though might be worth a hike. thanks jonnie.

Comic_and_Gamer_Nerd9:44 pm 07 May 13

That looks incredible.
I mean really incredible.
May have to make the trek out there with wife and kids(raising my children on every ethnic food we can means they live this sort of stuff more than white person food).

40 dollars for what was talked about seems incredibly reasonable.

But one question, does the gungers klan know that these afghans have finally started their infiltration into taking over ghungalin?

patrick_keogh9:42 pm 07 May 13

johnboy said :

In australia the term “asia” is erroneously used to mean “east asia” which I think was clear in this usage.

Yep. Glad to see you helping to correct this error.

The manager’s name is Sam. Funny guy when you get to talking to him. We have taken various family along a few times since opening for the top food. And I hate to admit it, but the eggplant tastes great, even though I thought I hated eggplant.

patrick_keogh9:12 pm 07 May 13

Jivrashia said :

Afghan is probably Asia (is it? not sure) but the food has a Persian influence, which means the sophisticated rice dishes are something to look forward to.

Asia runs from Turkey in the west to Japan in the east, from Siberia in the north to Indonesia in the south. As near as dammit Afghan (sic) is in the middle of Asia. Not only is it in Asia but all the countries that border Afghanistan are in Asia. Even the countries which border the countries which border Afghanistan are in Asia.

Yes Afghan food is influenced by Persian (modern Iran, also in Asia) and Pakistani food. These two countries have the longest borders with Afghanistan, along with Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan in the north, and China.

In australia the term “asia” is erroneously used to mean “east asia” which I think was clear in this usage.

The food is VERY northern indian/pakistani (no surprise really), tasty though.

koalathebear8:05 pm 07 May 13

We went there a Saturday before last – there was a group of 10 and we had the banquet. We all enjoyed the food as well – my favourites were the lamb cubes and the tangy chicken.

Thank you Jonnie. Next time over in Gunga territory will look it up.

Jonnie.
Thanks for the timely review of Afghan food.

Watched Food Safari on SBS a month or so ago and they did a special on Afghan food, but it was of a restaurant 280Km from here (in Five Dock, Sydney).

patrick_keogh said :

Afghanistan isn’t in Asia? Why wasn’t I told?

Afghan is probably Asia (is it? not sure) but the food has a Persian influence, which means the sophisticated rice dishes are something to look forward to.

That looks awesome.

I’ve noticed them there before but was turned off by their prices.

Will certainly investigate further now.

patrick_keogh5:46 pm 07 May 13

Afghanistan isn’t in Asia? Why wasn’t I told?

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