Dolan Uyghur Food Heaven

Little Lonsdale Street seems to be opening our minds and palates to some of most interesting Asian cuisine going around town. Dolan Uyghur Food Heaven has been my little secret for a little while, however I’m sure the local Kyrgystan community won’t mind me sharing the love.

Step inside the brightly painted restaurant and be greeted by warm smiles, with aromas of cumin, garlic and capsicum while Turkish rugs complete the fit out.

After having a lesson in the linguistics of the Uyghur (pronounced wee-gar) language, find yourself ordering home made pastry filled with minced halal lamb, spiced onions ($10). Proceed to the Kala Gush Kormisi- stir fried beef with potatoes, capsicum and aromats of cumin and garlic ($11.80)  dwarfed by the generous portion of Tawa Kawap ($22) a mountain of tender lamp chops, drizzled with a rich chilli sauce best mopped up with the house Turkish bread.

The Ughyur take on pizza, the Goshnan, is a baked pie of braised halal lamb and onions encased in a homemade pastry ($12) that makes a great lunch treat. Samask Tamilk Tarhamak, a salad of cucumber and freshly chopped garlic, is a first rate palate cleanser and accompaniment to the Alayida Tamlik Koy Korghisi, crispy lamb spare ribs spiced with a tighly held recipe ($22).

No alcohol is included on the simple beverage list, however you should try a glass of Uyghur yoghurt if the heat gets too much. Green, red and milk tea is also available by the pot.

With one of the most ancient tribal communities in the world right here on Little Lonsdale Streeet, get united with the Ughyur culture and surprise your senses.

DOLAN UYGHUR FOOD HEAVEN
166 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne
9041 8802
Open daily 11:30 am – 10pm