Posts tagged Sydney Food Blog Review

Korn Thai, Crows Nest

Review
Sydney Food Blog Review of Korn Thai, Crows Nest

Crispy Basil Duck, $22.90: Korn Thai, Crows Nest. Sydney Food Blog Review

It seems like I’ve eaten more Thai food since I’ve come to Australia than I ever did growing up in Singapore. Everything from the “imitation” Thai that has barely any resemblance to the real thing, to the truly enjoyable experiences that is as close as I can get this far away from Thailand.

Which brings me to Korn Thai, located in the concrete jungle of Crows Nest. I’m not sure what exactly I expected when I rocked up that afternoon, but I knew I was hungry, and surely that’s enough? 😉

The Order:

Soft Shell Crab Mango Salad, $22.90
Mango, soft shell crab, shallot, coriander, with lime juice and Thai salad dressing.

Crispy Basil Duck, $22.90
Deep fried duck, stir fried chilli sauce and holy basil

Crispy Eggplant, $17.90
Fried eggplant, sauce garlic, chilli, wok tossed sweet basil with Korn Thai’s signature chilli jam sauce and topped with crispy basil.

Pad Prik King Crispy Pork Belly, $21.90
Stir fried curry paste with green beans, sliced kaffir lime leaves and pork rind.

Red Duck Curry, $22.90
With pineapple, rambutan, cherry tomato and julienned young coconut.

Deep fried ice cream, $5.90

The Food:

I’ve always had an ongoing theory that you can’t go wrong with anything deep fried, and I’m glad to say that I stand CORRECT! *buffs nails on shirt*. And here’s the secret code: if you see anything on the Korn Thai menu that has the word “crispy” in it, you should order it. Trust me.

Crispy Basil Duck, $22.90: Korn Thai, Crows Nest. Sydney Food Blog ReviewCrispy Basil Duck, $22.90

The Crispy Basil Duck, for example, reminded me of Korean Fried Chicken with a sticky salty soy glaze and just the barest peppery hint of spice. Except that it’s in duck form, which is plenty fine in my books. Sweet, but not cloying, this dish is superb as an option to share, and perfect to whet your appetitite.

Crispy Eggplant, $17.90: Korn Thai, Crows Nest. Sydney Food Blog ReviewCrispy Eggplant, $17.90

Not a fan of duck? Well they’ve got options in the form of Crispy Eggplant and Pad Prik King Crispy Pork Belly, too!

Pad Prik King Crispy Pork Belly, $21.90: Korn Thai, Crows Nest. Sydney Food Blog ReviewPad Prik King Crispy Pork Belly, $21.90

The Crispy Eggplant leans a little more toward the duck in its savoury/sweetness, and the Pad Prik King Crispy Pork Belly really ups the ante in terms of richness and flavour. Either way, it’s full bodied crispy delicious goodness, with top points going to the gooey-on-the-inside eggplant. You’ll want to order a double serve of it if you’re sharing – it’s THAT good.

Soft Shell Crab Mango Salad, $22.90: Korn Thai, Crows Nest. Sydney Food Blog ReviewSoft Shell Crab Mango Salad, $22.90

On the lighter side of things, the Soft Shell Crab Mango Salad provides a tart, refreshing note to the meal, using shredded green mangoes to cut through the richness of the *crispy* soft shell crab. (You see the theme here?) A great option for a summer lunch, and a nice alternative to the otherwise more-common papaya salad. As far as the mango (and other Thai) salads I’ve had its definitely not a standout, but it’s still immensely enjoyable and has a great balance of flavours.

Red Duck Curry, $22.90: Korn Thai, Crows Nest. Sydney Food Blog ReviewRed Duck Curry, $22.90

The inconspicuously-named Red Duck Curry sashayed out to the table in a coconut shell (have I mentioned how much I love a good kitschy moment?) and really made me realise just how much I love rambutan in my curries. Never had rambutan before? It’s this:

Image of rambutan
Source: Google

These red hairy looking suckers contain sweet flesh that’s similar to lychees, but just a touch less cloying and much more delicate. It adds a dimension and lightens the curry, and with the pineapple gives it the distinctly Thai balance of sweet, salty, sour and spicy.

And if you think that pineapple shouldn’t be in savoury food?

Get Out
Source: Google

Deep fried ice cream, $5.90: Korn Thai, Crows Nest. Sydney Food Blog ReviewDeep fried ice cream, $5.90

The only real downside to the meal was the Deep Fried Ice Cream. The scoops of ice cream – we chose Thai Milk Tea and Pandan – were okay enough, but they were both completely overwhelmed by the thick, bread-like batter that coated the outside. And the syrup over the top didn’t help either: another conflicting flavour is then introduced, further drowning out the already faint echoes of the ice cream underneath.

Unfortunate, cause we were REALLY looking forward to it…and also cause it completely kills my *deep fried theory*.

Ice Pinky Milk and Thai Milk Tea, $4.50 each. Korn Thai, Crows Nest. Sydney Food Blog ReviewIce Pinky Milk and Thai Milk Tea, $4.50 each

Special mention to the drinks though – the whimsically named Ice Pinky Milk brought me right back into humid Asia with the mix of evaporated milk and fragrant rose syrup. So simple, and such a classic.

The Service:

It’s always hard for me to really discuss the service when I’m dining as a guest of the restaurant, but from their interactions with other guests, it definitely seems like they’re plenty friendly, and the staff certainly did NOT have the dreaded “I don’t want to be here” dead look in their eyes. They all seem to know the food intimately, even if there’s some difficulty communicating about the dish in English. One might even say that it added a twisted sense of authenticity to it.

But they do try, and it’s this friendliness that makes it easy to forgive them when they forget requests. For example, we had to ask a couple times for a water top up, which the waitress had forgotten because she was tending to another customer’s takeaway order. Ideal? No. But at least she was very apologetic about it, and so lovely that it was hard to hold against her.

Value for money:

Korn Thai gets a C+ for their value for money – passable, but not great. $20+ for a portion of food (rice not included) is a bit steep for my liking, but I keep having to remind myself that it IS Crows Nest after all, and it’s pretty expected in that area. At least the lunch specials are in the $10-$15 range, so that’s a little more easy to, uh, digest. XD

The Vibe:

It’s definitely a very comfortable eating experience at Korn Thai – it’s clean and relatively spacious, with just enough room to navigate between tables to get to wherever you’d need to go. Personally, I’m more the Chat-Thai-so-crowded-you-can’t-get-through sorta atmosphere, but I must say it’s very nice to be able to sit AND not have to tuck in your elbows and bags to keep it out of everyone’s way.

And finally,

Flavour-wise, Korn Thai ticks quite a few of the boxes for me – balanced, punchy, and very moreish. Not quite as hard hitting as some of the cheap-and-quick options elsewhere in Sydney, but a very easy choice if you’re already in the Crows Nest area.

I do wish I had more of that eggplant, though..

Looking for places to eat in Crows Nest? Why not read our reviews of Yakitori Yurripi, En Toriciya, Mama’s Buoi, Rice Den, Los Vida and Tall Lemongrass.

Insatiable Munchies dined as a sponsored guest of Korn Thai. Sponsored posts are guaranteed reviews which feature honest opinions of the reviewer and their experience, and is not an advertorial.
Korn Thai
126-128 Willoughby Rd
Crows Nest NSW 2065
Phone: +61 2 8068 6689
Website: https://www.facebook.com/KornThaiRestaurant/

Korn Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

The Max Joy Co., Eastwood

Best in Sydney Review
The Max Joy Co., Eastwood. Sydney Food Blog Review

The Max Joy Co., Eastwood. Sydney Food Blog Review

*This is going to be a super quick post because I’ve now been here so many times that I don’t actually know what I’ve ordered anymore*.

The Max Joy Co., Eastwood. Sydney Food Blog Review

The Max Joy Co. is a relatively new addition to the bustling Asian restaurants of Eastwood, is bring well, joy, in the form of ice cream to the locals. From flavours like Eastwood Granny Smith (local pride! *thumps chest*), to Houjicha, they are really melding Asian favourites in the flavour department with a certain whimsy that you’d find in the inner city.

The Max Joy Co., Eastwood. Sydney Food Blog Review

The brainchild of Max, the owner (a former business student who always wanted to enter the food industry) this little ice cream shop sits where the old Eagle Boys Pizza used to be (RIP). Bright lights and sunny stripes of blue and white shine like a beacon after a night out food-crawling through Eastwood (a common occurrence, I assure you), beckoning you with its siren song of creamy delights and true-to-form flavours.

Scoops of ice cream: The Max Joy Co., Eastwood. Sydney Food Blog Review

My most recent must-have has got to be the Fig and Pistachio. Sweet, syrupy fig notes get swirled into the rich nutty pistachio base, and hits all the right spots that keep me going back again and again.

Mochi Waffles: The Max Joy Co., Eastwood. Sydney Food Blog Review

And if you are in the mood for something a little more than ice cream? Well their selection of waffles will spark the imagination. The mochi waffle is the most interesting thing on the menu, but the pandan is my favourite by far. A warm reason to have ice cream in the middle of winter. Not that I need a reason. *ahem*.

Much love for Max and his team – I’ve been in quite a few times since they’ve opened (much to the detriment of my ever-expanding waistline) and they’ve been consistently helpful, happy to be there, and extremely hospitable.

Oh, and did I mention that they have wall chargers for your electronics? (heart eyes emoji)

This meal was independently paid for.
The Max Joy Co.
251 Rowe St
Eastwood, NSW 2122
Phone:+61 2 8084 3234
Website: https://www.facebook.com/themaxjoyco

The Max Joy Co. Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Spice I Am, Darlinghurst

Review
Spice I am, Darlinghurst. Sydney Food Blog Review

Variety of entrees: Spice I am, Darlinghurst. Sydney Food Blog Review

Maybe it’s conditioning from the days from being a cash-strapped Uni student, but I’ve always associated Thai food with $6.50 express lunches in Newtown, surrounded by other flip-flop wearing people, inhaling hugemongous plates of wok fried noodles and rice before hurrying on their way. Because that’s how it’s done.

Problem is? When you feel like dressing up for dinner with friends, quick and dirty Thai may not be the best option for the occasion. Enter Spice I Am: in swanky Darlinghurst, no less!


The Order:

Khao Kreab Pak Mor, $15.50
Steamed mini rice paper parcels on green coral lettuce, filled with chive and garlic with soy and vinegar sauce.

Sai Krok Isaan, $13.50
Traditional, fragrant Isaan sausage made from pork, garlic, coriander, pepper and cooked rice.

Sai Krok Isaan, $13.50: Spice I am, Darlinghurst. Sydney Food Blog ReviewSai Krok Isaan, $13.50

Bour Tod, $15.50
Phuket style fritter of green prawns on crispy betel leaf with chilli sauce, crushed roasted cashew nuts and coriander.

Fried Rice with Crab Meat, $22
Fried rice with egg, crab meat and spring onion.

Nam Khao Tod, $22
Crispy rice salad with Thai pork sausages, chilli powder, ground peanuts, coriander, eschallot, spring onion and mint leaves.

Pad Prik King Crispy Pork Belly, $29.50
Stir fried crispy pork belly wok tossed with red curry paste, green beans, chilli and sliced kaffir lime leaves.

Khao Neaw Dum, $11.50
Warm black sticky rice with Thai smoked coconut cream and pandan coconut gelato.

BTS (Better Than Sex), $17
Toasted brioche served with pandan coconut gelato, topped with Thai caramel sauce and roasted black and white sesame seed.


The Food:

There are times when the payoff for a spike in “fanciness” can often mean a drop in…authenticity of the food. Character can get stripped away in the potential sterilisation of the experience, and well, it’s become a bit of a norm now.

Well I’m happy to report that here in Darlinghurst, Chef Sujet has done a great job of keeping the quality of the food while elevating the experience to cater for the people who want a wine list, polished wooden tables and dim lights. Like, you know. Adults. XD

Bour Tod, $15.50: Spice I am, Darlinghurst. Sydney Food Blog ReviewBour Tod, $15.50

The entrées were visually stunning, especially the Bour Tod, $15.50, which consisted of a carefully balanced stack of battered crispy betel leaves and prawn, drizzled with a sweet chilli sauce and scattered with crunchy roasted cashews. It was moreish, and satisfyingly shattered with every bite.

Khao Kreab Pak Mor, $15.50: Spice I am, Darlinghurst. Sydney Food Blog ReviewKhao Kreab Pak Mor, $15.50

The Khao Kreab Pak Mor, $15.50, was a more simple concept of rice noodles, chives and garlic chips, but no less delicious, especially when soaked in the salty/tangy soy and vinegar dressing that came on the side. Sure, it was less parcel and more…mixture, but this comforting dish is more than able to transcend a loose description.

On the mains front, they kept up the standard with our Fried Rice with Crab Meat, $22, Nam Khao Tod, $22, and Pad Prik King Crispy Pork Belly, $29.50.

Pad Prik King Crispy Pork Belly, $29.50: Spice I am, Darlinghurst. Sydney Food Blog ReviewPad Prik King Crispy Pork Belly, $29.50

The fried rice was subtle in flavour, but was well peppered with chunks of tender crab meat, and provided a great backdrop for the flavourful Pad Prik King Crispy Pork Belly – pieces of tender pork belly capped with crunchy crackling and wok fried with red curry paste, green beans and kaffir lime leaves. Rich, and lightly spicy with a mellow heat, making it an excellent choice for those chilly winter evenings. By the way, it was also rich enough that what looks like a small plate actually feeds more people than you’d assume. Double score!

Nam Khao Tod, $22: Spice I am, Darlinghurst. Sydney Food Blog ReviewNam Khao Tod, $22

To cut it, we had the Nam Khao Tod, $22 – a salad of crispy rice, with pieces of Thai pork sausages, spiced with chilli powder, and topped with ground peanuts, coriander, eschallot, spring onion and mint leaves. The slivers of eschallots and fresh mint kept it light, and the fried crispy rice served the dual purpose of providing heft and texture to the dish. Coupled with the lettuce leaves, it was like a summery, Thai version of the popular Sang Choy Bao. Very satisfying, and on the cards to replace my go-to Thai salad favourites – Yum Woon Sen and Som Tum.

To satiate our sweet tooth (teeth?), we ordered the Khao Neaw Dum, $11.50, and the BTS (Better Than Sex), $17. So…saying that something is Better Than Sex is a tall tall claim, and I’m not sure that this particular dessert conquered this uphill battle. Two scoops of pandan and coconut gelato precariously balance on toast that is slowly absorbing the Thai caramel sauce (I’m guessing Palm sugar based), as we drank in the stunning stack. It delivered mostly on what it promised, except on a few points – there were icy pockets in the gelato (it happens, but was definitely noticed by my dining partner), and the toast, while deliciously buttery on the crust, was stale in the middle. And I’ve eaten enough burgers served on brioche to know that it is more than structurally able to hold up two scoops of gelato and still be fluffy in the middle.

BTS (Better Than Sex), $17: Spice I am, Darlinghurst. Sydney Food Blog ReviewBTS (Better Than Sex), $17

Is it good? Yes. Better Than Sex? Well, I guess it would depend on your partner.

Hao Neaw Dum, $11.50: Spice I am, Darlinghurst. Sydney Food Blog ReviewHao Neaw Dum, $11.50

In comparison, the Khao Neaw Dum was much simpler and easier to understand. There was a nice balance between rice and cream, and wasn’t nearly as heavy as the black sticky rice pudding that is so commonly found at many Thai restaurants.

Spice I Am executed Thai favourites with an added refinement, but they really aren’t re-inventing the wheel here. In this case, it’s definitely more the efforts of the ensemble than the star – you’d be amazed at how the other elements of the restaurant affect the final recommendation.

Food: 0.5/1


The Service:

It’s always a bit hard to comment on the service when I’m an invited guest, but what I can definitely tell you is that beyond the cheery smiles of the waitstaff, is a sharp knowledge of the cuisine and the ability to walk the tightrope of choosing just the right mix of dishes for the mood of the customer. My waiter, in particular, even excitedly shared his own favourites; his infectious passion for the food sparking my anticipation for what was to come.

A great balance of personal recommendation without judgement. Stellar.

Service: 1/1


Value for money:

If you were to look at the food alone, it would be difficult to justify the price. For example, the Pad Prik King Crispy Pork Belly carries a near-$30 price tag, and whilst it may be the best presented Pad Prik King Pork I’ve seen (it’s very hard to plate up meat in a thick paste. Trust me, I’ve tried) neither the deliciousness not the portion quite justified the asking price.

However, I think that it’s fairly reasonable for the Darlinghurst location and the trendy up-market decor. And not to mention the service! All the elements came together to present an experience, and a very pleasant and enjoyable one at that.

Would you look at the bill incredulously and say, “really? Only that much?!”? No. But you wouldn’t be clutching your pearls in horror at the final bill either, and that’s saying a lot.

Value for money: 0.5/1


The Vibe:

When you’re facing a cuisine that has raised street food to a lifestyle, it can be a bit jarring to experiencing it in a finer setting. It was very nice, for sure, and brought forward an urge to at least wear closed shoes, but there was no discernible emotion that it inspired beyond a pleasant backdrop for good food.

Vibe: 0.5/1


And finally,

There’s an argument to be made about the “street food” experience of the cheap and fast no-frills Thai food that we all know and love. But I think that it’s a cuisine that can be represented at all levels, from the comforting small family shops, to the mid-range chains, to this: a smart casual option if you want to up the game a little.

And hey, at least you know that the menu carries the same authentic kick of the Surry Hills Spice I Am. Just with a touch of polish, because we all like a bit of shine don’t we? 😉

Bonus points: 1/1

Insatiable Munchies dined as guests of Spice I Am.
Spice I am
296-300 Victoria St
Darlinghurst NSW 2010, Australia
Phone: +61 2 9332 2445
Website: http://spiceiam.com/spice-i-am-darlinghurst

Spice I Am Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Deep Fried Chicken Skin is the new Crack

Review
Deep Fried Chicken Skin is the new crack!

Fried Chicken Skin, PappaRich: Sydney Food Blog Review

Guys, we need to talk about chicken skin.

Ever since moving to Australia, it seems that chicken skin has been relegated to the “unhealthy” territory, so much so that to get chicken meat with the skin on requires you to buy the whole chicken or make special requests!

Well there’s one place(s) in Sydney that’s rebelling in the most delicious way: serving up a whole plate of crispy, piping hot, deep fried chicken skin for your eating pleasure. PappaRich.

A photo posted by Tammi Kwok (@teafortammi) on

This is something that brings back memories of my humid, SouthEast Asian childhood, where comfort eating gets elevated to an art form. An art form that has most doctors in a tizzy, sure, but a scrumptious, luxurious beautiful thing nonetheless.

Crispy Chicken Skin: PappaRich Bankstown. Sydney Food Blog Review

Of course, that’s not the only thing that you can order (the Assam Laksa, Roti and Satay is pretty legit)

PappaRich Assam Laksa

Roti Telur Bawang with Curry Chicken: PappaRich Bankstown. Sydney Food Blog Review

Satay Chicken and Beef: PappaRich Bankstown. Sydney Food Blog Review

And of course, the Hainan chicken with rice noodles is also worth getting.

Dry Kway Teow with Steamed Chicken

But really, with chicken skin on the menu, why would you look at anything else?

Fried Chicken Skins

BRB, got chicken skin to eat!

Wondering where else you can get your chicken skin fix? Well, you can read more about our other PappaRich adventures at Parramatta, Macquarie and in Melbourne!

Insatiable Munchies dined as guests of PappaRich Bankstown.
PappaRich Bankstown
Little Saigon Plaza, G13-G14/462 Chapel Rd
Bankstown NSW 2200, Australia
Phone: +61 2 9709 4147
Website: http://www.papparich.net.au/location/papparich-bankstown/

PappaRich Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Manpuku Ramen, Chatswood (part 2!)

Review
Sydney Food Blog Review of Manpuku, Chatswood

Hiyashi Chuka, $13.50: Manpuku, Chatswood. Sydney Food Blog

If you think I’m crazy for going to eat ramen in the middle of summer – heck, even I think I’m nuts – then I must be certifiably insane. But good food does wonders, and, as my second afternoon in a summer at Manpuku will attest, really good air-conditioning.

Yeah, 40C heat ain’t got nuthin’ on that air conditioning.


The Order:

Kono Deaini Kanshashite Aijou To Jonetsu Konete Isshoukenmei Tsukutta Uchirano Icchan Sukina Manpuku Shiawase Ramen, $14.90 (with extra ni tamago)
Soy based pork and chicken soup. Pork belly, bean sprouts, bamboo shoots, shallots, seaweed sheet with wavy noodles.

Tsukemen, $15.90 (with chashu instead of softened pork rib)
Soy based tokotsu sour dipping soup. Softened pork rib, bamboo shoot, eggs, ultra seaweed sheet and shallots with wavy noodles.

Hiyashi Chuka, $13.50
Cold noodle with chicken soy based sour soup. Comes with ham, cucumber, bean sprouts, egg, tomato, seaweed, snow sprout.


The Food:

When a ramen place has three different types of noodles for their different ramen, you can bet that the choices they make is deliberate, and not much is left to fate.

Chef Suzuki – who got head hunted from another ramen restaurant for those skillz- tells me that Manpuku works with a noodle master, who suggests the best noodle type for that particular soup. A tonkotsu, for example, works best with a dried noodle that provides the best al dente texture that will stand up to such rich broth.

Kono Deaini Kanshashite Aijou To Jonetsu Konete Isshoukenmei Tsukutta Uchirano Icchan Sukina Manpuku Shiawase Ramen, $14.90 (pictured with added egg): Manpuku, Chatswood. Sydney Food BlogKono Deaini Kanshashite Aijou To Jonetsu Konete Isshoukenmei Tsukutta Uchirano Icchan Sukina Manpuku Shiawase Ramen, $14.90 (pictured with added egg)

Our first bowl of ramen was the Kono Deaini Kanshashite Aijou To Jonetsu Konete Isshoukenmei Tsukutta Uchirano Icchan Sukina Manpuku Shiawase Ramen, also affectionately known as the Long Name Ramen. And you know what, the name was not the only thing that was a mouthful. (Heh? Geddit? Ramen joke) The soup was a great middle ground between the pork and the chicken, rich without being unctuous, with plenty of delicate flavour throughout. And if, like me, you yearn for something a bit less delicate, then I would suggest adding the garlic paste for bonus points. Fresh garlic is blended with drinking sake to mellow it out slightly, and it brings an amazing Victoria-Secret level body to the soup.

Hiyashi Chuka, $13.50:Manpuku, Chatswood. Sydney Food BlogHiyashi Chuka, $13.50

The Hiyashi Chuka, on the other hand, was very much my speed. Springy cold noodles get topped with finely sliced ham, egg, cucumber, seaweed, tomato and bean sprouts, and tossed in a chicken stock/soy/mustard dressing. I swear, if this is a typical salad, no one would ever complain about eat salad ever again. It was tangy, refreshing, and just so SO moreish. Chef Suzuki says that the sourness means that he never gets tired of eating this noodle, and I’m inclined to agree. It felt so light on the stomach, and my palate was partying with such a riot of flavours that I just kept eating till well beyond the point that I was full. Shame that it’s only here for the summer season, though. Personally, I’d find a reason to eat this all year round!

Tsukemen, $15.90: Manpuku, Chatswood. Sydney Food BlogTsukemen, $15.90

We also tried the new and improved Tsukemen, with a less salty gravy/broth for you to dip your noodles into. This time, we also had the chashu (sliced rolled pork) instead of the softened pork rib like the last time, but I must say, if I had to do all over, it’ll be the pork rib again…and again, and again. There’s nothing like a first love, huh.


The Service:

Chef Suzuki from Manpuku Ramen, and his team: Manpuku, Chatswood. Sydney Food BlogChef Suzuki (left) and his team

I know it’s not the fairest thing to say, since I was invited as a guest, but if you can, have a chat to Chef Suzuki, because that just augmented my experience and made me hyper aware of every element of love that went into the deceptively simple bowl (bowls!) sitting in front of me. Knowing that the soup, for example, takes at least six hours of simmering to perfect, or that the noodles are rolled thrice with a $100,000 machine to give you that body and texture, just makes me thankful for all the labor that goes into creating the ramen experience at Manpuku.

He even told me that he tried pressure cooking the stock to speed up the process, but that created a “brown” smell (from the Maillard reaction) that he wasn’t after. How cool is that?!

Otherwise, I like the efficiency of service still, much like the last time. Ramen still came out at lightning speeds, and the staff were polite and lovely across the board. Nothing out of the ordinary, but super pleasant, like the last time we were there. ?


Value for money:

We always knew that the ramen here isn’t the cheapest around, have you seen the portions?! It’s huge! I know you can probably get a cheaper lunch elsewhere in Chatswood, but for the portions that you’re getting and the quality, I think it’s a pretty good bang for your buck.

Also, I only just realised how many items there actually are on the menu, so there’s lots of variety and something for everyone! Score.


The Vibe:

It’s still super chill, and the the vibe is still really relaxed. Maybe it’s the 40C day that we rocked up on, but it’s totally the place that you rock up in shorts and flip flops, and have a casual bowl of noodles.

And they still yell random things whilst cooking your ramen. Tee hee. How’s that for atmosphere?


And finally,

I’ve always known that ramen broth takes forever and that there are different noodle types for your soup, so in that sense, Manpuku isn’t reinventing the wheel here. But I’m sure there are plenty of ramen shops that don’t spend the time, and for that I’m grateful still.

It’s also really interesting that Chef Suzuki, like Chef Haru of Ramen Ikkyu, has a fine dining background. It gives him a different understanding of how to balance flavours, and brings a new perspective to a very traditional art form. To quote him, there is no right or wrong ramen: it is an art form, and his experiences allow him to express the art in different ways.

Oh and if you’re wondering what a chef who is around ramen all day every day eats?

Cereal. Chocopops, to be exact!

Insatiable Munchies dined as guests of Manpuku.
Manpuku
226 Victoria Avenue
Chatswood, Sydney
Phone: +61 2 94111021
Website: www.ramenmanpuku.com/

Manpuku Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Hello…Kitty Diner, Chatswood

Review
Sydney Food Blog Review of Hello Kitty Diner, Chatswood

Gee Gee Burger, $12: Hello Kitty Diner, Chatswood. Sydney Food Blog Review

Sometimes it doesn’t matter what the reviews say. If you put a dish like Crispy Lamb Ribs on the menu, I will show up. And I will drag Christine and Simon along with me. Like how we ended up at the Hello Kitty Diner…

And made this.

Our Freakshake creation: Hello Kitty Diner, Chatswood. Sydney Food Blog ReviewWhat happens when you cross a milkshake with a doughnut and a soft serve?

Simon is not impressed.

Simon is not impressed: Hello Kitty Diner, Chatswood. Sydney Food Blog Review


The Order:

Crispy lamb ribs, $10
With sweet soy, mint, sesame seeds

Southern fried chicken, $10
With waffles, bourbon barrelled maple syrup

Gee Gee Burger, $12
Korean fried chicken, cucumber kimchi, pickled vegetables, Asian slaw

Sweet potato fries, $6
With Miso Mayonnaise

Doughnut Soft Serve

Doughnut

Yuzu curd and white chocolate milkshake, $8


The Food:

Never has there been such a roller coaster of emotions when it comes to a menu. First I got all excited because Warren Turnbull of Chur Burger fame (and just all round chef who knows his food) designed the menu. I mean, how wrong can it get, right?

Then the deluge of reviews came through, and let’s just say that people were less than impressed. Quite a bit less. Reviews ran the gamut of saying that you’d go more for the kitsch of the theme than the food, to saying that it was downright nasty (I’m paraphrasing here). Either way, it didn’t look good for our tastebuds, but I was adamant on getting my hands on those lamb ribs.

Crispy lamb ribs, $10: Hello Kitty Diner, Chatswood. Sydney Food Blog ReviewCrispy lamb ribs, $10

Ahh lamb ribs. My second favourite of the rib variety – after beef ribs, of course – and I’m glad to say that this doesn’t change things. Lightly coated with corn flour, there was just the slightest crunch before it gives way to unctuous meat, the richness of which is enhanced with the sweet soy sauce. Because sugar is delicious, amirite?

Southern fried chicken, $10: Hello Kitty Diner, Chatswood. Sydney Food Blog ReviewSouthern fried chicken, $10

The rest though, didn’t fare quite as well and fell into the “okay” category. The chicken in the Southern Fried Chicken was pretty decent, but the sad state of the waffles let it down. It was stale, and tasted like waffles that had been pre-cooked and heated in the microwave. Even the novelty of having it Hello-Kitty-shaped couldn’t save it.

Gee Gee Burger, $12: Hello Kitty Diner, Chatswood. Sydney Food Blog ReviewGee Gee Burger, $12

The Gee Gee was in a similar boat, with a decent balance of flavours, but dry bun. It’s like you could see where they were trying to go with it, but they never quite got there.

Sweet potato fries, $6: Hello Kitty Diner, Chatswood. Sydney Food Blog ReviewSweet potato fries, $6

The Sweet Potato Fries were pretty edible, but no where close to the best sweet potato fries I’ve ever had in Sydney. Even with the miso mayo – and you know I’ll eat anything that’s got miso in it.

Doughnut: Hello Kitty Diner, Chatswood. Sydney Food Blog Review Doughnut

Doughnut flavoured soft serve: Hello Kitty Diner, Chatswood. Sydney Food Blog ReviewDoughnut flavoured soft serve

Of the sweets, the Doughnut and Doughnut soft serve was dutifully adorned with Hello Kitty themed decorations, but when it comes down to it, the ice cream tasted like plain vanilla – which is okay except when you’re selling it as doughnut flavoured – and the strawberry flavoured doughnut was so sweet that I’m still buzzing from the sugar high days later.

The real travesty, though, was the Yuzu Curd and White Chocolate Milkshake. It’s as if who made this never had yuzu before. It was faintly chemical in taste, and on top of everything, runny like the texture of milk. We all took a sip each, and the glass was banished to the end of the table, behind the water glasses.

I guess what Simon said really summed up the food, ” I wouldn’t be angry if I was served this again”. Sure, the menu is designed by a really good chef, but it’s a bit like Apple being designed in California – no one said anything about execution. With mostly okay-but-not-mind-blowing dishes, you really start to wonder how much the novelty of it all is really carrying the diner.

Food: 0.5/1


The Service:

The Hello Kitty Diner seems to be staffed mostly by teenage girls, which seems fitting given the theme, no? They aren’t the most experienced of staff, but at least they don’t look like they were tortured into being there, which is saying a lot. They were polite enough, and we really appreciated the little things, like waters being replenished efficiently, but not much personality otherwise.

Well, this one girl did seemed sorry that we pretty much left the milkshake untouched, but that’s about it.

Service: 0.5/1


Value for money:

It’s not the most filling meal you could have at Chatswood, but $10 for a plate of ribs is not too shabby either. The burger was of a similar price and size to Chur, except for the drop in quality, so it’s also not the worst thing you could spend your money on.

But really, you’re there for the kitsch. Let’s not kid ourselves.

Value for money: 0.5/1


The Vibe:

I actually love how the diner is decked out. It actually feels like how I imagined a Hello Kitty Diner would look like as a 10 year-old, and I like how they get the message across without shoving your face in it.

And we all know how I love a good theme. 😉

The Vibe: 1/1


And finally,

There are no illusions here. The Hello Kitty Diner isn’t the epitome of fine dining, and you know what? It never said it was either. It’s there for the fans and people who love the novelty, and by the way, you can eat there too. All we could ask of it is that the food doesn’t suck, and in that regard, we were pleasantly surprised.

Just don’t order that Yuzu curd and white chocolate milkshake. Just please. Don’t.

Bonus Points: 0/1

This meal was independently paid for.
Hello Kitty Diner
The District, Chatswood Interchange
436 Victoria Avenue, Chatswood, Sydney
Website: https://www.facebook.com/hellokittydineraustralia/

Hello Kitty Diner Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Busshari, Potts Point

Review 9 Comments
Sydney Food Blog Review of Busshari, Potts Point

Soba & Somen, $20: Busshari, Potts Point. Sydney Food Blog Review

It’s been disgustingly hot, hasn’t it? And you know it’s bad, when the lovely manager of Busshari, Yuko, apologises profusely for the heat and assures you that the air-conditioning is indeed running, as you walk in the door. I can see what she means though – no sooner had I positioned myself at the counter, I was covered in a sheen of sweat.

DAMN YOU AND YOUR CRAZY WEATHER SYDNEY!

Needless to say, it was a really good time to be eating cold food – Yuko suggested the Seafood Sashimi and Seasonal Vegetable Salad, Soba and Somen, and we were definitely not going to turn that down.


The Order:

Ocean trout belly nigiri, $8 for 2pcs
Toro nigiri sushi, $12 for 2pc

Seafood sashimi and seasonal vegetable salad, $27

Deep fried flounder, $28

Grilled Scampi with sea salt, green tea oil, $26

Soba & Somen, $20
Chilled green tea soba and Somen with shiitake mushroom, prawn and radish wasabi

Matcha Ice Cream


The Food:

If you truly do eat with your eyes, then the food at Busshari is an exquisite feast. Everything came out looking stunning – piles of food artfully arranged on stone plates that conveyed a modern Japanese aesthetic.

Ocean trout belly nigiri, $8 for 2pcs: Busshari, Potts Point. Sydney Food Blog ReviewOcean trout belly nigiri, $8 for 2pcs

Toro nigiri sushi, $12 for 2pc: Busshari, Potts Point. Sydney Food Blog ReviewToro nigiri sushi, $12 for 2pcs

We started with pieces of Ocean Trout Belly Nigiri and Toro Nigiri Sushi. Tender melt-in-your-mouth slices of fish are wrapped around 2cm-wide batons of rice, forming the perfect mouthful. Unctuous, luscious, and luxurious, these easy bites were a great start to our evening.

Seafood sashimi and seasonal vegetable salad, $27: Busshari, Potts Point. Sydney Food Blog ReviewSeafood sashimi and seasonal vegetable salad, $27

Then we got a bit more stuck in with the Seafood Sashimi and Seasonal Vegetable Salad. Whoever said that salads were measly rabbit food clearly had not seen this salad before. A veritable mountain of salad leaves were thoroughly covered in a sweet/savoury dressing, and adorned with a variety of fresh, sliced fish, assorted seafood, and finished with a nest of white radish and a Renkon (lotus root) chip. It was refreshing, simple, and oh so filling. Order to share, or as a main on a hot day. Either way, win-win.

Deep fried flounder, $28: Busshari, Potts Point. Sydney Food Blog ReviewDeep fried flounder, $28

The salad was immediately followed by another ‘wow’ dish: the Deep Fried Flounder. Pieces of fish are lightly battered and fried, and set on the crispy bones of the flounder bent into a graceful arch. I didn’t eat the bones this time – didn’t want to seem unladylike – but Yuko tells me that 1 in 3 customers down the whole thing, bones and all!

Grilled Scampi with sea salt, green tea oil, $26: Busshari, Potts Point. Sydney Food Blog ReviewGrilled Scampi with sea salt, green tea oil, $26

And then, we indulge my obsession with shellfish: the Grilled Scampi with Sea Salt and Green Tea Oil was soft and buttery, although I was missing any noticeable flavour of green tea. But really, we all know that I’d eat shellfish done any which way, so really, no loss there!

Soba & Somen, $20: Busshari, Potts Point. Sydney Food Blog ReviewSoba & Somen, $20

And then the last savoury dish – Soba and Somen. Chilled green tea buckwheat, and wheat noodles are arranged in a waterfall, with little pots of sauce that you dip the noodles in and slurp up. The shiitake mushrooms – served on the side – were the best bit of this, though. Slices of rehydrated mushrooms are marinated in a sweet soy mixture, and the result is a meaty, moreish bite. So good.

Matcha Ice Cream: Busshari, Potts Point. Sydney Food Blog ReviewMatcha Ice Cream

And just when we thought that we couldn’t eat any more – who am I kidding? We were that full by the time we finished the salad – scoops of creamy matcha ice cream come out, anointed with sweetened red bean paste. Not quite the best of all the matcha ice cream I’ve had – ahh Meiji you maker of addictive frozen desserts – but it was pretty good, especially when you can get it for free!

Food: 1/1


The Service:

I know that it’s hard to comment on the service because I was dining as a guest, but from my vantage point at the counter, it did genuinely look like everyone was having a great time. Waters were consistently getting topped up, and orders were flying off the pass at lightning speed…did I mention that this was also one of the calmest kitchens that I’ve had the pleasure of watching? We felt like we were in very good hands, and it was an absolute joy.

Busshari, Potts Point. Sydney Food Blog Review

Service: 1/1


Value for money:

Busshari is not where you go for a night out that’s light on your wallet, much like the rest of Potts Point. Not that it’s particularly taxing either, but $27 for a main-sized salad – even though it’s got lovely slices of fresh seafood – still would have me hard pressed to slap the “bang for your buck” label on it.

Seafood sashimi and seasonal vegetable salad, $27: Busshari, Potts Point. Sydney Food Blog ReviewSeafood sashimi and seasonal vegetable salad, $27

Still a nice restaurant for a classy dinner out, though. A worthy choice, especially if you’re in the area.

Value for money: 0.5/1


The Vibe:

I guess “casual” would be the best way to describe both the cuisine style and the crowd. There certainly wasn’t the hushed quietness of some Japanese restaurants I’ve been to, but Busshari also weren’t going out of their way to emulate the hipster crowd of the inner city. Go for a relaxed evening…because sushi and chill, right?

Vibe: 0.5/1


And finally,

I do absolutely feel like we were thoroughly spoilt by Chef Nobu – who has been at Busshari for the whole 10 years they’ve been open! – and the Busshari team. Chef steadily worked through the many orders that were coming through on the printer, expertly handling the many varieties of fish that they kept on hand.

If you’re into your sake, they also have a Yuzu sake in stock that is so deliciously light, it’s like drinking juice. Highly recommended, if you’re of the Sake persuasion. Trust me, you’ll want to be.

And don’t forget to flash your Washoku Lovers membership when you go to get a free scoop of matcha ice cream! Don’t say I don’t hook you up! ?

Bonus Points: 0.5/1

Washoku Lovers is a free membership programme that gives you perks to many Japanese restaurants in Sydney! We also have visited other restaurants participating in the Washoku Lovers programme, like Tamagetaya and Manpuku Ramen! To find out more about the programme and sign up, visit www.washokulovers.com.

Insatiable Munchies dined as guests of Washoku Lovers.
Busshari
119 Macleay St
Potts Point NSW 2011
Phone:+61 2 9357 4555
Website: https://www.facebook.com/bussharipottspoint

Busshari Authentic Japanese Restaurant Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Burgers By Josh, North Sydney

Best in Sydney Review 20 Comments
Sydney Food Blog Review of Burgers by Josh, North Sydney

J Burger, $14: Burgers by Josh, North Sydney. Sydney Food Blog Review

There has been much debate about the best burgers in Sydney, but I think that there’s no denying that Burgers by Josh is absolutely killing it right now. After making social media waves as the head chef (and burger genius) of Danno’s, Josh has now branched out on his own, serving up Sydney’s favourite American import (well, besides Doughnuts, One Direction and…nevermind) to the hungry masses.

We stop by to start 2016 with a bang! Burger-style, of course. ??


The Order:

J Burger, $14
Wagyu, American Cheese, Westmont Picklerey Pickles, fresh sliced tomatoes, iceberg, onion, J sauce

The Colonel, $15
Southern fried free range chicken breast, American cheese, Mississippi Mayo, iceberg, fresh sliced tomato

Jurassic Fries, $10
Twice fried beer battered chips, Primo sauce, Liquid cheese


The Food:

Josh proves that he’s first and foremost, a chef – expertly working the grills and the pass all by himself, while about 40 people (by my estimation) placed their orders one right after the other. The open kitchen (no where to hide, here!) exuded a sense of calm and cool, as Josh methodically worked through all the orders with his team of two.

The result? Utter deliciousness, even if they weren’t the most photogenic (I doubt he had time to worry about presentation!).

J Burger, $14: Burgers by Josh, North Sydney. Sydney Food Blog ReviewJ Burger, $14

On the burger front, we started with the J Burger: presumably named after Josh himself, this had a Wagyu patty, American Cheese, Westmont Picklerey Pickles, fresh sliced tomatoes, iceberg, onion, J sauce between soft sesame seed buns. Simple and straightforward, this held all the flavours of your classic burger, but on steroids. The patty was expertly cooked to a medium rare, and together with the melted cheese, pickles, tomato, lettuce, onion, and sauce, it created the most delicious slip’n’slide ever.

The Colonel, $15: Burgers by Josh, North Sydney. Sydney Food Blog ReviewThe Colonel, $15

The Colonel was a cheeky take on a chicken burger, with Southern fried chicken breast, American cheese, Mississippi Mayo, iceberg and fresh sliced tomato. I’m not the biggest chicken burger fan at the best of times, but this was a really good mix of tender chicken, fresh vegetables and tangy sauce. Personally, it wasn’t as well constructed as the J Burger – the uneven shape of the thick chicken breast meant that some bites had chicken, some bites didn’t, and some bites threatened to slide the whole piece out the other side – but the more you ate, the more you figured out how to hold the burger. It just takes some practice, and no one is complaining about any excuse to have more burger.

Jurassic Fries, $10: Burgers by Josh, North Sydney. Sydney Food Blog ReviewJurassic Fries, $10

As a side, The Jurassic Fries could also just be a meal unto itself. Twice fried beer battered chips are topped with Primo sauce and liquid cheese for an unctuous pile of super crispy chips with melty bits. The only complaint? Not enough sauce for my liking – I like it with there’s a river of sauce going down my mountain of chips. Cause it’s like, um, nature, you know?

Jurassic Fries, $10: Burgers by Josh, North Sydney. Sydney Food Blog Review


The Service:

I’ve heard plenty about issues with the service before – from orders getting forgotten to burgers being served cold – but I think it’s ironed out now. There was still a bit of a wait, since everyone ordered at once, but if he managed to get everything out hot and correctly, then I don’t see how there would be an issue moving forward.


Value for money:

I was very lucky to be invited to eat at Burgers by Josh, but at the $15-20 mark usually, I think the burgers are skating the edge of reasonable and pricey. In a volume sense, only the Primo pays homage to his humongous burgers of days gone past, but I think on the whole the food is well made enough to justify both the price AND the dedicated trip out to North Sydney. Just.


The Vibe:

Located in an ex-bar, I really enjoyed the clear sight into the kitchen, where you can watch Josh work his magic. There’s a great graffiti/burger aesthetic to it, that makes it feel that much more street. I love the tattoo style branding, and it’s that same attitude that’s reflected in the food. Love it.


And finally,

I know I sound like an ungrateful bitch, but I really regret not ordering the Infamous Primo. Having had the Godzilla tower of sauce, meat and onion rings before, I thought I’d be reasonable and give the other menu items a try.

The Infamous Primo: Burgers by Josh, North Sydney. Sydney Food Blog ReviewThe Infamous Primo

WHY, WHY DID I NOT LISTEN TO MY BELLY???

Everything was still delicious, but don’t make the same mistake as me. Order the damn Primo, because it’s “infamous” for a reason – it’s damned good.

Josh will be at The Upper Deck at Greenwood Plaza till the end of January. You can find out more about where he’ll be next by following him on Facebook here.

Insatiable Munchies dined as guests of Burgers by Josh.

Burgers by Josh
The Upper Deck, Greenwood Plaza
36 Blue Street, North Sydney, NSW
Website: https://www.facebook.com/burgersbyjosh/?fref=ts

Burgers by Josh Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Vic’s Meat Market, Pyrmont 

Review 2 Comments
Sydney Food Blog Review of VIc's Meat Markets, Pyrmont

Beef Short Rib, $30: Vic's Meat Market, Pyrmont. Sydney Food Blog Review.

There was a period of time when I was absolutely obsessed with barbecue. Like barbecue errthang. Meat, marinaded, plain, sausages, basted, wings, foiled…I mean, ERRTHANG. Because it’s all about that smoke, ’bout that smoke, no trouble.

So when my Instagram just exploded with pictures of Vic’s Meat Market’s luscious, shiny, barbecued thangs, I just had to put it on the Eat List.


The Order:

Beef Short Rib, $30
Pasture fed beef ribs with pickles, sauce and selection of sides.

Chicken wings basket, $10

Smoked sausages, $10

Barq’s root beer, $4 each


The Food:

Vic’s has always been known for their meat and quality, and you just know that things are going to have a certain standard walking in.

Chicken wings basket, $10: Vic's Meat Market, Pyrmont, Pyrmont. Sydney Food Blog Review.Chicken wings basket, $10

The Chicken Wing Basket, $10, was only very lightly smoky, covered in peppery spices that added a crunch to the tender perfection of nature that is the chicken wing.

Smoked sausages, $10: Vic's Meat Market, Pyrmont, Pyrmont. Sydney Food Blog Review.Smoked sausages, $10

The Smoked Sausages were juicy, but not particularly smoky. That barbecue sauce that it was served with, though, really brought things together and made it ever so easy to keep picking at it.

Beef Short Rib, $30: Vic's Meat Market, Pyrmont. Sydney Food Blog Review.Beef Short Rib, $30

And the main event – the Beef Ribs, $30. Beef ribs are my favourite kind of ribs EVAHHHH which makes me automatically partial to this dish. I love mixing it up with the sides, even though it feels like I’ve had, well, beefier ribs in other places. The tangy pickles – McClune’s – provided a really nice counterpoint to the meatfest, too, which kept me eating way more than I should.

And no that wasn’t a Magic Mike joke.

Food: 1/1


The Service:

Maybe I’ve been to one too many Brazillian barbecues, but I was kind of missing a sense of “go on, you know you wanna” when I ordered at the counter (it’s not table service, by the way). Don’t get me wrong, it was perfectly pleasant and polite, but there is an unabashed joy and fun that I associate with barbecued meats that somehow I expect from the service too.

Although I do really like that they give out individual packets of wet wipes with your meal. That, for “exuberant” eaters like myself, was very thoughtful.

Service: 0.5/1


Value for money:

How much would you pay for beef ribs? There was much chest clutching when I told my friends that the platter of rib and sides cost $30. Yeah, it’s not a typo. 1 rib. Even with what I like to call “CBD tax”, it’s a bit steep for me. I can understand that barbecue takes a lot of time, effort and resources, but I think there are a few other barbecue joints that provide a similar quality, for a lower price. Mind you, I didn’t hesitate dropping $30 on it to give it a try, but I would definitely think twice about paying $30 to eat it again.

The wings and sausages were priced okay, but added to the fact that you’d have to schlepp all the way out to the fish markets to have this? Not sure that there aren’t other things that I might make the effort for, instead.

Value for money: 0.5/1


The Vibe:

Plenty of sunshine, open spaces and dark wood make for a classy approach to the kitschy barbecue dives that are glamourised on the travel channel. It’s got a really chilled vibe that makes you feel like you could spend all afternoon there, which is no mean feat considering it’s a restaurant right next to a car park. Not the MOST cozy of places, but quite nice enough.

The Vibe: 0.5/1


And finally,

If you’re the type to actually do your fish shopping at the fish markets – the parking alone is cray cray – then you might be happy to know that you can just do your meat shopping whilst you’re at it, too. The butchers are pretty helpful, and actually have a wide range of culinary knowledge, which is a step up from many a local butcher I’ve spoken to.

Be warned though, the meat is still “fish market produce” prices, but if it works for you, then there’s no judgement here. Meanwhile, I’m off to get some oysters.

Bonus points: 0.5/1

This meal was independently paid for.
Vic’s Meat Market
Sydney Fish Market
Bank Street, Pyrmont, NSW
Phone: 02 8570 8570
Website: http://www.vicsmeatmarket.com.au

Vic's Meat Market Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Granny’s Noodle, Burwood 

Review
Sydney Food Blog Review of Granny's Noodles, Burwood

Granny's Noodle, Burwood. Sydney Food Blog Review

It was past dinner time, and I was HANGRY. (Enough to justify all caps, as Sam can attest to.) We had just finished watching Point Break, I was feeling physically inadequate, and my belly was scoffing at the suggestion of waiting till we get home.

And hanging out in line wasn’t an option either.

Granny’s Noodle was fairly empty – usually not a good sign for an Asian restaurant – but it smelled good, and the force of my hunger propelled me through their open doorway.


The Order:

Mixed sauce with Pig’s Ears, $5.80

Vinegared Fungus, $4.80

Granny’s Signature Beef and Tripe Soup Noodles, $15.90

Sizzling Intestine with Special Made Sauce, $12.80


The Food:

It may sound weird, but there’s just something so satisfyingly comforting about offal. It reminds me of street food that I loved as a kid with my parents, holidaying in Hong Kong, and since then, I can never go past an offal item on the menu.

Mixed sauce with Pig's Ears, $5.80: Granny's Noodle, Burwood. Sydney Food Blog ReviewMixed sauce with Pig’s Ears, $5.80

As sides we had the Mixed sauce with Pig’s Ears, $5.80, and Vinegared Fungus, $4.80. Sexy names, I know. The Pig’s Ears here were cooked/pickled a bit too far for my liking, resulting in the thin skin around the crunchy cartilage forming a weird sort of sticky mush.

Vinegared Fungus, $4.80: Granny's Noodle, Burwood. Sydney Food Blog ReviewVinegared Fungus, $4.80

The Vinegared Fungus fared much better – also known as Woodear Mushrooms, by the way – crunchy, light and tart, and made for a great side to the heavier mains.

Granny's Signature Beef and Tripe Soup Noodles, $15.90: Granny's Noodle, Burwood. Sydney Food Blog ReviewGranny’s Signature Beef and Tripe Soup Noodles, $15.90

I suppose you can’t go to Granny’s Noodles without ordering well, noodles, so we got the Granny’s Signature Beef and Tripe Soup Noodles, $15.90. The beef slices and tripe were tender, like the long strands of wheat noodles, and were very easy to down on a cool night. The broth was a bit on the light side for me – I wanted something dark and rich and beefy – but Sam liked it, and it would’ve just been the icing on the cake.

Sizzling Intestine with Special Made Sauce, $12.80: Granny's Noodle, Burwood.Sydney Food Blog ReviewSizzling Intestine with Special Made Sauce, $12.80

My favourite of the night though? The Sizzling Intestine with Special Made Sauce, $12.80. The cleanliness of something like intestines really tells you everything you know about the thoroughness of the kitchen, and these, I’m happy to report, had no weird smell or aftertaste. Even Sam of the supersensitive nose couldn’t detect anything, which is saying a lot. Maybe it was that crazy about of pepper and spices, but nothing hides bad intestine, and for that, they get the kudos for a good dish.

Food: 1/1


The Service:

Doesn’t it say something for the stereotype when you walk into an Asian restaurant and you’re grateful to not be ignored? They were very quick to respond, and I liked how the waitress who took out order was honest about portion sizes and how much we needed per person. It showed a familiarity with the menu that we take for granted, but doesn’t always happen.

Otherwise it was pretty uneventful, other than the mystery of the missing spoons. There was a canister filled with chopsticks for you to grab as you needed, and it just seemed that our spoons ran out and no one noticed. Fair enough, but especially noticeable in a nearly-empty restaurant.

Service: 0.5/1


Value for money:

The prices fell well within expectations of what you would pay in Sydney, and the portions also weren’t out of the norm. The noodles were quite filling, but not more than what you would get at any other ramen or noodle joint at the same price.

Not bad, but not great either.

Value for money: 0.5/1


The Vibe:

Granny’s Noodles was nice and clean and bright, but not particularly extraordinary in the vibe-department. Eh.

Vibe: 0.5/1


And finally,

It was a little scary walking in, when people online didn’t seem to like Granny’s Noodles too much. I thought it was alright, especially if you’re already in the area and you can’t be bothered to wait in line, like I was. I don’t particularly feel the urge to go back again, but no regrets for having been there either.

Bonus point: 0/1

This meal was independently paid for.
Granny’s Noodle
132 Burwood Road
Burwood, NSW
Phone: 02 8541 4954
Website: http://www.grannysnoodle.com

Granny's Noodle Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato