Chopahn Authentic Afghan Csn, San Diego

I have been in this restaurant 3 times and each time is a feast in my mouth. Their lamb dishes have been consistently amazing---tender, cooked perfectly and seasoned so beautifully that one would always end up with a clean plate. I went back there last night with my boyfriend and both he and I agree that this place is going to be one of our most favorite places to eat. We started with an appetizer (Mantu) which is a steamed dumpling with ground beef, carrots, corn and peas topped with yogurt sauce. It was delicate, perfectly seasoned with just the right kick. Highly recommended. Then we both ordered lamb dishes---mine was the Lamb Shank and my boyfriend had the Badenjan Challaw (chunks of lamb with eggplant, tomatoes and herbs). Amazing dishes. We both enjoyed them thoroughly and truth be told--I was tempted to grab the lamb shank and lick it clean. It was so good! But I have to say that the most magical thing we had at this place was the dessert--Firnee. It's a chilled light pudding with almonds topped with pistachios and doused with rose water. I swear it was like a piece of heaven with each bite and the rose water made the whole experience so sensual. Anyone with a discriminating taste and a penchant for fine exotic cuisine would find a little piece of heaven at Chopahn. Oh and the owner and waitress were so nice and welcoming. Kudos!!!!

the food was pretty expensive, but if you want to try something new, the flavors are amazing!

Simply incredible! The food was amazing! I ordered the vegetarian plate and it was like nothing I've had before...vegetarian wise. The wait staff was excellent. There's a full-bar to boot. The owner stopped by our table and we talked about Afghanistan. It's quite the place! Let me tell you buddy, this is a great date restuarant...if you get my drift!

I just had a fantastic dinner. I have a favorite Afghan place in the bay area, but this one also hits the spot, equally. The service was very good and friendly; I was dining alone. The Kadu is a must, and the Shinwari Kabob was very good (rack of lamb was good, but it was super flavorful cherry, pomegranate sauce that made the dish excellent. I would probably order the lamb rare instead of medium rare the next time. Portions are perfect.

The entire dining experience at Chopahn Restaurant, located on 6th Ave in the Gaslamp district, was delightful! This restaurant deserves an A+ for food, service and ambiance.

I went to Chopahn restaurant for the first time a couple nights ago and I have to say it was amazing all around! Great food, great service, beautiful restaurant! I enjoyed the sambosa (which i'm currently craving at the moment) and the combo kabob which was a skewer of chicken and a skewer of shrimp, served with basmati rice...it was amazing! I could honestly taste the quality! My partner had the pistachio crusted rack of lamb and was very pleased! I definately reccomend this restaurant to those of you who haven't yet tried it.

i had afghan food once in northern ca and immediately loved it. ever since then i have been trying to find another place i could frequent more often. chopahn exceeded my expectations! the restaurant is beautiful and intimate with an extremely helpful and friendly staff. the aushuk is delicious (i wish i had more...next time the dinner serving!) as well as the kadu (next time kadu + buranjee badenjan:) and badenjan challaw...thinking about it is making me drool. i wanted to try more dishes, but my stomach is only so big. i agree with one of the other reviewers; more people should check this restaurant out. it is a hidden jewel. i am definitely coming back!

All we can say is WOW! We totally loved the food here. We ordered the Sambosa (sp?) appetizer which really good. We ordered the lamb kabob and chicken kabob. Both entrees where outstanding! The lamb was very tender and juicy. Chicken was prepared just right. Basmati rice was outstanding. Portions pretty big. We should have split an entree with the appetizer and we are big eaters. Service was attentive. We went here before a baseball game and there were only 2 other tables of 2 in the restaurant. More people need to go to this place. Spices are not overwhelming like other Middle Eastern and Persian restaurants. The flavors are very good and quality of meat high. We will be back more often!

This restaurant seemed nice upon arrival but...there were gnats all over, even in the food. The manager/owner was very rude and didn't honor his valid coupon from Downtown Magazine because he called it an ad and not a coupon. The server was great and tried to be nice while the manager was being very mean. The food was bland and over priced to boot.

Haider and his wife have done an outstanding job with the food and ambience in their restaurant, Chopahn. Haider uses his family's recipes he learned as a boy and has continued to improve them. The seasonings are light, not heavy handed, giving each dish a unique taste and aroma. Do not confuse Afghan cuisine with Indian (though I love both ). Haider's dishes really allow you to sample and savor the specific blends of spices in each dish, where as Indian food sometimes tends to mix them all together in their sauces. If you go to Chopahn, which I recommed, be sure to try the lamb and the basmati rice as well as the kabobs.