An imported delicacy from New Zealand — delicate marbling and rosemary-infused smoked lamb rack

Text and photos by /kuni

(No fluff: the best lamb chops I’ve had in recent years)

Honestly, I’ve never been a fan of lamb chops, just like I used to feel about duck breast. If it weren’t forCaprice in Hong Kongserving up a delicious French châteaubriand (click your mouse here), duck breast might never have made it onto my must-eat list. The same goes for today’s experience at Popina — it’s not a complete game-changer, but through its exquisite technique, it helped me further appreciate how lamb chops can be so captivating.

(Outside Popina)

This time, I was led by a regular, and the Popina restaurant was fairly empty during weekday lunch, allowing us to chat freely and happily.

What we ordered:
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Homemade bacon, cheese, tender greens & fig salad (NT$260)
French white asparagus with Serrano ham (NT$300)
Roasted cheese & garlic snails (NT$320)
Almond & apple Hungarian-style duck breast (NT$600)
Spanish squid & seafood paella (NT$880)
Smoked lamb rack (NT$980)
Fresh fruit cappuccino (NT$250)
Strawberry & vanilla cheese cake (NT$260)
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(Inside the restaurant)

(Bar area)

(Menu)

Overall, today’s meal was quite good. The olive oil in the salad was delightful — its aroma wasn’t particularly bold, but it was clean and complemented the freshness nicely. The French white asparagus was thick and sturdy, truly top-tier grade, full of that distinctive asparagus sweetness and juiciness. The homemade bread was crispy on the outside and slightly moist inside, though it lacked a bit of wheaty fragrance. The roasted snails were really interesting — the heat from the grilled dish revealed a rich filling of cauliflower, a truly unique combination that I absolutely loved. The Hungarian duck breast from Hungary was a bit of a letdown; the apple and almond crumb were great ideas, but the duck meat itself was a bit tough today, lacking that tender texture one would hope for.

(Homemade bacon, cheese, tender greens & fig salad)

(Refreshing)

(Truly top-grade French white asparagus)

(Homemade bread)

(Roasted snails — one of my favorites)

(Almond & apple Hungarian-style duck breast)

I was momentarily stunned when the Spanish seafood paella arrived. It felt oddly familiar, though I couldn’t quite place why. Upon asking, I learned that the chef is actually the same asWill from Triangle CatThey are good friends. The two have worked together sinceTutto Belloand later moved to ABU together. Years later, they even went to work at Mirador de Ulia in Spain. No wonder their paella styles are similar, and both offer squid and saffron varieties. But strictly speaking, Popina’s paella isn’t deliberately dried out; it’s moister when eaten, while also giving off a rich, long-lasting umami flavor from the seafood broth that’s hard to resist. In comparison, Triangle Cat Private Kitchen’s version has more crispy crust and chewiness.

(Extremely delicious paella)

Today’s lamb chops were truly outstanding—they’re imported all the way from New Zealand. The fine marbling and incredibly tender texture exude an inexplicable yet mouthwatering fragrance from afar. It’s only when you start chewing that you realize this aroma is something special. Upon closer inspection, you’ll find rosemary hidden beneath the lamb chops. But there’s also a hint of an unidentifiable scent, which the chef then explains is from walnut wood chips. This level of technique and thoughtfulness is truly exquisite and remarkable—truly admirable.

(Smoked Lamb Chops)

(The best lamb chops I’ve had in recent years)

The desserts are no less impressive either. The Fresh Fruit Cobbler has a subtle citrusy orange aroma, although the English menu translation “Cabbler” is unfamiliar. Though I confirmed it with the chef, I only know “Cobbler,” which brings back memories from my study-abroad days in the UK. The strawberry vanilla cheesecake isn’t officially on the menu yet, but its girlish appearance with a bistro vibe delivers yet another gentle, comforting sweetness—enough to make you willingly open your wallet and head back to work with a sweet and thoroughly satisfied stomach.

(Fresh Fruit Cobbler)

(Strawberry Vanilla Cheesecake)

POPINA Bistro & Bar
Address: No. 1, Lane 6, Alley 13, Section 1, Nanjing East Road, Zhongshan District, Taipei City
Phone: (02)2567-6623
Business Hours: 12:00–14:30, 17:45–22:30

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