Most of my meals are of the Asian variety. In Brisbane there is a place called Market Square in Sunnybank. It is renowned for its copious amounts of Asian restaurants and supermarkets. Today I went to Shin Yuan Taiwanese and had very simple dishes, black pepper steak with rice and fried tofu. It’s cheap, good and easy. Not the place for a romantic date or catch up with group of friends. It’s small and basic, but the food has always been good!
Slightly over priced, ridiculous waiting times, average-good food. But you must go once. Din Tai Fung, World Square, Sydney CBD. This place is famous among the Asian community and while I pointed out some negatives, the pure hype of the place makes you feel like you’re doing something spesh! The food is okay, the soup dumplings are the perfect thickness and hot & sour soup quite good. Although when we went there we ordered 2 hot & sour soups and 2 soy bean milks but they could only provide us with one of each as they ran out? Hmm…
One of my most favourite dishes to eat is Asian hot pot. Obviously winter is the best time to eat this, but I love it, anywhere, anytime and especially at home. It’s important to have the right pot to continually boil the broth. Then head to your local Asian store and stock up on hot pot goodness. We buy the soup base, sliced meat, fish and beef balls, tofu, mixed mushroom, prawn dumplings and Chinese cabbage. Friends of mine get quail eggs, but not me. Also grab a sauce of your choice and a cool drink, I like ice tea or aloe drink. Great with a group of friends, only 15 mins prep!
If you love Gyoza, you must try this place. Ann Gyoza Bar at Emporium, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane. They have pork gyoza, chicken gyoza, vegetable gyoza, seafood gyoza, spicy gyoza and CHEESE gyoza!! Yes Cheese!! All soooo good!! Staff is very helpful and friendly. Today I got tofu teriyaki and edamame. 5 hours later I’m still craving more! Drooools…
Just around the corner from my place is this hip sidewalk cafe. The Gallery Café SOHO, Coorparoo, Brisbane. My regular hangout “Vintage Kitchen, Vintage Closet” is closed Mondays so I like to explore a little. Outdoor sidewalk benches with comfy cushions. Great smooth coffee, I favour the “soy dirty chai” (soy chai latte with a shot of coffee). Great location for a catch up with a few friends after gym or just reading a magazine for one. Haven’t tried the food, a little on the high side, $15-$20 salad, $20 3 egg omelettes but I will get around to it! Gluten free and vegetarian options available.
On boxing day I booked a special lunch date for panda and I. Doyle’s on the beach at Watsons Bay, Sydney. Unintentionally we also got to see the start of the Sydney to Hobart which felt a little spesh. We ordered seafood (of course) and everything I ate was devine. We had the mussels in a white sauce which tasted like a little piece of heaven, I was so sad when it was finished. For main we shared the seafood paella which could have easily been shared between 4 medium appetites. Everything was cooked to perfection. Panda also ordered a fried small entree seafood platter but wasn’t that fussed about it. If you get a chance to dine here, and I recommend that you do, book ahead and request upstairs on the balcony. The prices are exy, but it’s a perfect splurge date for two or something fancy for a small group of friends. I think you would lose a bit of atmosphere if you had more than 6 people. Worth trying and I will definitely be going again!
A.M.A.Z.I.N.G!! strawberry watermelon cake from Black Star Cafe in Newtown, Sydney. I can not express enough how delicious this cake is AND it’s gluten free! I’m in heaven. I tried a chocolate cake from here as well, good but so rich that I could only eat half of it. This little cafe is so popular that there were people eating off dinner plates while sitting in the gutter. Can’t recommend enough, get onto it!
