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  • Yang’s Malaysian Food Truck – Sydney CBD

    What if told you there’s a place where you can get soft shell crab smothered in chilli sauce and a fried mantou for $9? Sounds too good to be true. There’s a catch – this restaurant moves around. I’m referring to newest food truck to Sydney, Yang’s Malaysian Food Truck.

    I had been salivating over the Instagram photos of Yang’s soft shell crab for a few weeks now but it wasn’t until last Tuesday that the food truck was within walking distance to my office. So, I set off for Hyde Park to satisfy my craving for some Malaysian street food.
       

    Yang’s Malaysian Food Truck is the brainchild of Alexander Wong, more affectionately known as Lex. He has honed his culinary skills in the kitchens of China Lane, Chica Bonita Manly and Queenies. So, it’s no surprise that the food being served is a class above what you will typically find in a food truck.

    The menu has been under going a few changes, on the day I visited there was a total of 9 dishes on the blackboard.

    I started with a Chicken Curry Puff ($3), a yummy parcel of chicken flavoured with a mild curry.

    Then came the star attraction, the soft shell crab. The crab is fried perfectly while maintaining the insides delicately soft. The fried mantou is perfect for mopping up the generous serving of the addictive chilli sauce. 

    Head to their Facebook page to find out where they are: https://www.facebook.com/yangsfoodtruckau

    Good: Very flavourful food, value for money     
    Bad: Location changes 
    Perfect for: A quick lunch, afternoon snack 
    Price: $

    Yang's Malaysian Food Truck on Urbanspoon

  • Burger Bro? – Sydney CBD

    The first time I heard about Burger Bro? (yes, the name of the store is a question) was from an OzBargain post that mentioned the store was offering free burgers on its opening day last year. From the social media posts of the day, a lot of people queued up for the free burgers. 

    5 months later, on a quiet afternoon, I decided to see what a Kiwi burger joint had to offer in the saturated burger market of Sydney. To my surprise, I was the only customer in the cavernous hall of Hotel Chambers. Having already done my research on the burgers (thanks to I’m Still Hungry’s very thorough review), I set my sights (and tastebuds) on The Muss ($16), a towering monstrosity of a burger, as well as a side of kumara (sweet potato) chips. 

     The kumara (sweet potato) chips were surprisingly long. Normally, sweet potato chips are cut short and thick due to the shape of the vegetable. The crispy exterior of the chips were perfectly matched with the soft, pillowy inside. The normal chips that come with all burgers were your average kind.  

    The hulking Muss I mentioned earlier, consists of a thick kumara dusted chicken fillet, bacon, lettuce, cheese, tomato, avocado, beetroot, onion and a dashing of barbecue sauce. I stared at this beast of a burger for a few minutes, attempting to formulate a plan of attack. I ended up just diving very ungraciously into it.

    My first bite was met with a slight tinge of disappointment, the bun was cold. Luckily, the rest of the burger was decent, not amazing like Five Points but better than Burger Project.
    After receiving some feedback from my readers, I’ve decided to revamp the format of my conclusions (aka the section below for people too lazy to read the entire post). 

    Good: Loads of ingredients in the burger, awesome kumara chips   
    Bad: Cold bun, staff were more interested in chatting than serving
    Perfect for: A quick lunch, small groups


    Burger Bro? @ Hotel Chambers on Urbanspoon

  • The Rook – Sydney CBD

    Did you know lobsters was once considered to be peasant food? Now they are like seafood royalty. At The Rook, you will find lobster everything – risotto, salad, roll, lettuce cups, croquettes.

    But before you get to dive into crustacean-y goodness, you have to find The Rook. It’s located on the 7th level of an office building on 56 York Street. Enter through the sliding doors and ride the elevators up.

    Make sure you book ahead as this spot is very popular with nearby office workers at night. After we were seated, I started with a Peroni ($7) and KZ had a cocktail named Down the Rabbit Hole ($19) – a colourful concoction.    
    Having already drooled at the menu the night before, I knew I had to get the lobster risotto ($27). KZ went with the lobster roll ($25), which was packed to the top with chunks of lobster. My risotto was also very generous in the lobster department. Hidden underneath the rice were big pieces of perfectly cooked lobster. The crispy seaweed was more than a garnish as it provided a nice crunchy texture to the dish.
    A few weeks later, I returned to The Rook with a colleague for a quick lunch. During lunch time there’s less of a crowd, so it’s great option if you work nearby and want to escape the food courts. We both picked the Uncle Sam ($22) burger which comes with a side of truffle fries.     

    The Wagyu patty was cooked medium rare, as it should be. The cheese was thoroughly melted blanketing the beef. The pickles, which were perched on top of the burger, added a nice touch of acidity to cut through the richness of the burger.

    The thick, hand cut fries were seasoned well and accompanied by a flavourful truffle sauce.

    The Rook is a hidden gem boasting an impressive array of lobster dishes and burgers. It has an equally impressive bar with kooky cocktails, as well as my normal beers and wines.  
    Good: Lobster galore cooked well, interesting cocktails
    Bad: Long waits in the evening
    Perfect for: Small groups, casual date night & after work drinks
    Price: $$
    The Rook on Urbanspoon

  • Japan Day 4 – Matsumoto & Hirayuno-mori

    On our 4th, T&I had to leave really early in the morning. Unfortunately, this left us with very limited choices for breakfast, as most restaurants don’t open early.

    (more…)

  • Haven: Tailoring Coffee Joyously – Surry Hills

    Haven is the latest addition to the Surry Hills Cafe scene and they certainly stand up to the standards. Find out what’s on their Weekend Menu of Rustic Elegance!

    You know a cafe is serious about their coffee when their sugar bowl encourages you to NOT put sugar in your drink! I stopped putting sugar in my coffee a long time ago because I realised how complex the taste of coffee is when it’s not drowning in sweetness!
    Anyway I digress, L and I popped into Haven on a rainy day. The cafe has a very bright and open layout with plenty of seats. It’s super convenient as it’s located right opposite the Chalmers Street exit of Central Station.
    Prana Chai Latte

     My cold drip came in an exquisitely detailed glass jar, accompanied by a small bowl of cacao nibs! The coffee was certainly tailored joyously (it’s their slogan) and tasted crisp and clean. The addition of the nibs really elevated the coffee experience. To top it off, there’s an information card that details the origin of the coffee, where it was roasted as well as tasting notes.

    Spot the tamper in their logo!
    Roasted in my 2nd home, Taiwan!
    The Croque Monsieur ($14) comes with a side of kale salad. There’s something deliciously magical about melted Gruyere cheese, ham and thick toast. This was my first time eating kale and I’m quite the fan now! 
    Hulk Smash!
    L’s smashed her way through the Smashed Eggs ($16). The salsa verde worked really well with the avocado, adding a fresh element to the dish.
    Will I Return? 
    Yes! Haven is a really conveniently located haven for food and tailored coffee. 
    QOTD: How do you like your coffee? Let me know in the comments below!

    Haven on Urbanspoon

  • Paramount Coffee Project – Surry Hills

    Paramount Coffee Project is located in the foyer of the Paramount Pictures Building, which makes sense considering their coffees are epic and their food is picture perfect.


    My 1st visit to PCP was very memorable due to the massive Crab Po Boy and the unique coffee. So I recommended the Crab Po Boy to my friend, JL, without hesitation. I was drawn to the Black Pudding due to my trip last year to London, where I had the chance to try the hearty dish. When our dishes arrives, I was taken back by how small the Crab Po Boy looked, when I had it a year ago it was quite a generous serving. My Black Pudding was beautifully plated, the sunny side duck egg was encircled by the black pudding, sprigs of watercress, slices of radish and a bacon/tomato relish. Although the portion was on the smaller side, I found myself very satisfied. It would have been good if a slice of toast was included.
    When I saw the Coffee Slushy on the menu, I knew I had to try it. I mean slushy + coffee is surely a good combination. The drink was cool and refreshing, the perfect way to have my daily caffeine intake on a sunny day. JL decided on the pomegranate soda, which was a light fizzy drink with the pomegranate flavour permeating throughout. 
    Will I Return? 
    Yes. I would love to try their extensive coffee range and other dishes. However, I’ll pass on the Crab Po Boy.
    QOTD: Do you care about serving size? Let me know in the comments below!

    The Paramount Coffee Project on Urbanspoon

  • Tasty Love

    Oh, your sweet juicy 
    buns. Soft but firm
    White freckles dot your face
    I just want to grip you with both hands
    and stare into your vibrant insides
    the reds, greens and yellows
    Beyond your brown skin
    I can see the raw pinkness inside
    My lips long for your sauciness
    Although our time is always short
    I never forget your sweet aroma
    I love you, burger. Nom

  • Blacksmith – Surry Hills

    Both the food and decor of Blacksmith can be summed up as rustic. All throughout the cafe you will find a pastiche of metal, wooden and industrial materials. Even the menus look as if they were crafted by a blacksmith.

    Being a cold drip lover, I thought I’ve seen all the quirky ways the beverage can be served but Blacksmith certainly surprised me with the double beaker arrangement. Yes, you sip your cold drip ($5.50) from the little teeny weeny beaker! If you prefer your coffee hot, Blacksmith has your standard drinks. L gave the chai latte a thumbs up.
    The menu has all the typical brunch items but with a slight twist. My Smithy Breakfast Burger ($15.50) is a delicious mess of bacon, a fried egg, a heap of pickled slaw and beetroot relish. L’s chorizo eggs is lot less messier to eat as it comes in a Blacksmith branded copper saucepan. The generous servings of chorizo, scrambled eggs, avocado and asparagus comes with two slices of sour dough. 
    Blacksmith will certainly become the next brunch hotspot, so get in quick before lines start forming.  
    Will I Return?
    Yes! Blacksmith is one cool cafe that’s convenient and not crowded (yet).     
    QOTD
    Are you a fan of rustic decor? Let me know in the comments below!

    Blacksmith Cafe & Bakery on Urbanspoon

  • Kobayashi Soba – Matsumoto

    Best soba in the world?

    Kobayashi Soba has been around for over 100 years and is currently ranked as the number one restaurant in Matsumoto on TripAdvisor. Its soba is so famous that even the imperial family have tried it. You could say Kobayashi Soba sells the best soba in Japan.

    T & I were the first customers as we arrived a tad too early. Before we ordered, the owner brought some complimentary buckwheat tea to our table. The tea had a delicate flavour with a sweet aroma.

    Once you’ve ordered, you’ll be given a small plate with fresh wasabi, spring onion, radish and a grater. Grate the fresh wasabi and add it to your dipping sauce.

    The real star of my meal was the wasabi. Most of the wasabi we eat in Australia is actually a mix of horseradish and green food colouring, which is why it tastes so strong and often ends with people in tears if they are not careful.

    REAL wasabi is sweet and fragrant. Did I mention Matsumoto has the world’s largest wasabi farm? That’s right I was about to have the best soba and the best wasabi in the world.

    My tempura soba set was priced at ¥1,728 and it was worth every cent! The noodles, which are traditionally made by the owner, have an incredible texture to them. The crispy tempura provides a nice contrast to the soba.

    To finish the meal, the owner will bring a red pot to your table. The pot is filled with soba-yu, which is the hot water that the soba was cooked in. Add the soba-yu to the remaining dipping sauce and you have a flavourful soup to wash down your meal!

    For more information about Kobayashi Soba head to the TripAdvisor listing.

  • Lee and Me – Wollongong

    From the decor and menu, Lee & Me looks like it would be located in the hip Surry Hills area. But it’s not. It’s in Wollongong. And quite lucky for L and I that this modern cafe exists, as we had wandered around trying to find an appealing restaurant.

    My Filter Batch Brew ($5) had a very interesting name – Mama Cata Geisha. The waiter helpfully explained it’s origin and cupping notes before placing a cute little info card on the table for me. Just as the card had described, there were notes of fruit, the cherry flavour was particularly noticeable.  
    I had a sip of L’s Prana sticky chai latte ($6). It was indeed sticky. Since I’m not a fan of chai, I couldn’t really discern whether or not it was good. 
    I am always eggs-cited about Eggs Benedict ($15). At Lee & Me, you get two poached eggs and gypsy ham doused in Hollandaise sauce with a slice of sourdough bread. The eggs were poached perfectly and the Hollandaise was oh so rich. 
    L had the egg-cellent 63 Degree Egg ($15) with smashed avocado, fetta, pepitas & a single chilli on Sourdough. 
    If you find yourself in Wollongong, you have to go to Lee and Me!

    Will I Return?
    Yes. If I ever visit Wollongong, Lee and Me will be my first stop for food! 
    QOTD
    Have you been to Wollongong before? How was your visit? Let me know in the comments below!

    Lee and Me on Urbanspoon