Chop Chop Changs

Phoodle @ Kingsford

Finally got to try out Phoodle at Kingsford.  It's been on my radar for some time and it did not disappoint!

 

Here we start with the salt and pepper tofu.  this was an instant win for me.  Hot crispy cubes of soft tofu with a spicy, salty topping.  Could have eaten this all to myself.

 

 

Banh Xeo is always on my radar.  I love the crispy crepe full of prawns, pork and beans sprouts wrapped in lettuce, herbs and a dip in a funky dipping sauce.  Phoodle's version is so tasty! 

 

The prawn rice paper rolls are fresh and filling.  the hoisin based sauce was very good and lots of peanuts you cannot go wrong.

 

Dinner here was a light affair before heading out for the night, but I will be back very soon with the Boy to try some more of those dishes and yes the salt and pepper tofu will be on the table again!

Saigon Queen @ Darlinghurst

I did warn you that my 40th birthday celebrations just keep on going.  Since my birthday in June I have been enjoying all the wonderful food focussed gifts my beautiful generous friends have given me.  My friends really do know me very well!

 

One such gift was a dinner for two at Saigon Queen for a 3 course meal.  Inviting said friend, L, we ventured out to Oxford St one Friday evening for a few wines at Shady Pines Saloon before heading over to Saigon Queen for a bite.

 

We were advised to make a reservation, however we were one of only a handful of people. 

 

The restaurant is BYO and we had taken a bottle of Sav Blanc to enjoy.

 

We start off with springrolls.  They are hot, crispy, a little oily but in a good way and the filling is generous.  Overall these are pretty good.

 

 

 

 

 

We decide to go with a pho bo (beef pho) and fried pork chop.  The bowl of pho is massive and is steaming and wafting aromas of strong broth and herbage.   Definitely a feasting bowl!  A plate of beansprots, basil and chilli is served alongside.  Even for two people, this bowl is so huge I doubt we will put a dent in it. 

 

and we didn't..........

 

The fried pork chop is a little on the dry side but dipped in Nuoc Cham helps moisten it.  It is tasty enough though.

 

The aroma wafting from the pho bowl is enticing and I was looking forward to it.  I have big love for pho bo, however although above average, the broth was just to salty for my liking, which was a bit of a let down.  The tender slithers of rare beef melt in the mouth.

 

Even though we are both bursting at by the end of the 'main' course we cannot help ourselves to tasting the icecream for dessert.  We select the taro icecream and the cheese icecream.  Both are surprisingly pleasant (in fact I'm really not sure what I was expecting). 

 

 

 

Saigon Queen is a pleasant little restaurant on Oxford St.  The staff are friendly and it's convenient right in the heart of it all. I personally don't think I will return as I have a few other favourite Vietnamese restaurants that I would rather go to for my pho but it was a fun night out with my friend, catching up, a few laughs and getting out to try somewhere 'new'. 

 

 



Red Lantern on Riley (and Red Lily)

When asked what my favourite cuisine is I will answer Vietnamese straight up. Saying that, this is always a question that makes me think.  Being the world traveller and global eater that I am there are many cuisines that fall into this category of 'favourites'.  So the question should be more on the level of what Asian cuisine is your favourite.

 

I have been a long time follower and fan of Luke Nguyen.  I have a number of recipe books and watch his TV shows.  I also have a copy of the 'Secrets of the Red Lantern' and have thoroughly enjoyed reading this too.  I'm always inspired to re-create dishes from these books.

 

Red Lantern has been on my radar for sometime and with friends visiting from Dubai (via Quebec) this was the first place that was a must to celebrate my friends birthday.

 

 

Red Lily cocktail menu

 

 

Arriving at the Red Lantern on Riley, I first notice the friendly welcome, the warmth of the space and the definite feeling of being transplanted into any restaurant in Saigon or Hanoi.  I'm left with a yearning to return to Vietnam instantly.

 

We are shown through to Red Lily at the back of the restaurant, which is the cocktail bar. 

 

The menu is vast and vibrant and rich with tropical fruit infusions.

 

cocktails all round

 

Top left - Berried in Chocolate - Mozart dark chocolate liqueur and creme de mure blackberry shaken with lime and a hint of lily's spiced winter syrup

 

Top right - Poached As - Spiced Wild Turkey and poached pear puree with Lily's spiced winter syrup and a red wine reduction

 

Bottom left - Ho Chi Minh Sling - lychees, lemon, cucumber and mint topped with dry gin, lychee liqueur and jasmine tea 

 

Bottom right - Pham Fatale - house infused kaffir lime leaf vodka shaken with lychee and ginger liqueurs and coconut water

 

I had the Pham Fatale and it was so refreshingly tasty.  The intense kaffir lime hit makes my taste buds tingle with pleasure.  Love this cocktail.

 

Well take a sip of each others (for reviewing purposes) and they are all delicious.  I could drink these cocktails all night.

  

We were finally seated and ready to devour the menu.  There is so many amazing dishes and it was hard to choose just a few to share.  Choosing entrees's seemed to be easier than choosing mains.  Entree's just seemed to pop out at us. 

 

We start with 3 entree's to share.

 

Cuon Thit Nuong

 

fresh rice paper rolls

 

Soft rice paper rolls of char grilled honey pork and Vietnamese herbs.  Fresh rice paper rolls are always a great way to start a meal.  Fresh, herby and so very tasty when the filling is perfectly balanced.  The honey pork is wonderfully sweet and charred.

 

Banh Bap Chien va Tom

 

I was curious about the prawn and cauliflower fritters and just had to sample them. 

 

 

 

Spencer gulf prawns and cauliflower fritters served with sweet fish sauce. 

 

Enveloped in lettuce, herbs and peanuts, dipped into the sweet fish sauce...popping these into your mouth was a pure pleasure.

 

But it was the last entree that stole the dish of the night for all of us. 

 

Banh Bot Chien

 

This is Aunty 5's rice cakes with tiger prawns, caramelised pork, pork floss and shallot oil.  I think there was a moment of silence with a moan or two  from the four of us as we relished every single bite of this dish.  This will be ordered again for sure!

 

I know I have the recipe for this but to try and duplicate it might just burst the bubble.  

 

 

 

Aunty 5's rice cakes

 

 

As mentioned earlier, mains were a little harder to choose.  We wanted everything but knew the tummy capacity was not going to allow that. 

 

In the end after much discussion we went with 3 dishes and a side with steamed rice too.

 

Bo Luc Lac

 

I ate many versions of this dish while living in Cambodia and it's a staple favourite.  Red Lantern's version is made with O'Connor Black Angus beef strip loin tossed in oyster sauce and sesame (although traditionally it is made with garlic and black pepper).

 

This was delicious. 

 

bo luc lac

 

 

Ca Nuong va Goi Hoa Chuoi

 

 

 

Pan fried fish fillets with tamarind sauce and banana blossom salad

 

We are torn with this dish.  half the table enjoy it, the other half not so much.   The  seeded crust is crunchy and nutty however the actual fish leaves a 'muddy' taste in your mouth.  That is not necessarily a bad thing.  If you prefer your white fish only you may have some problems with it. I'm okay with the 'muddiness' of the flesh and it doesn't displease the pallate so much  AND I WISH I COULD REMEMBER WHAT TYPE OF FISH IT WAS!

 

It appears that I haven't a decent photo of our third dish (but it's here in the background).

 

Ca Ri Vit

 

Burrwaong duck yellow curry with eggplant and cherry tomato. 

 

This was a lovely light curry and the duck is cooked between a medium and well done. 

 

 

 

We go with a side of tossed greens and steamed rice.  The tossed greens in bean curd are moreish and I keep going back for another piece.

 

 

 

Of course no dinner is complete without dessert and we decided that we would share one.

 

As we were celebrating Mrs Fu's ('25th') birthday she was surprised with a sparkler.

 

We had the banana fritter..  They only way to eat bananas in Asia in my opinion!

Coating in shredded coconut and served with icecream.

 

 

This was truly a delightful dinner and I will be returning again soon (even if it's just for Aunty 5's rice cakes).  Happy Birthday to my lovely friend Mrs Fu...hope your birthday holiday was amazing (even if you didn't get to cuddle a koala!)

 

 

 

 

Miss Saigon @ Hurstville

I am a long time customer of Miss Saigon in the heart of Chinatown in the south.  Hurstville that is!  Miss Saigon is buzzing with locals, students, families and everyone else that wants great Vietnamese dishes on the cheap.

When you enter just grab a table.  This is what I call a slap up restaurant.  Laminated tables, tiled floor, no frills table service but buzzing atmosphere and everyone is here for the flavours!  The staff will get you menus and a pot of tea (always ask for it hot as it is usually just given to you luke warm).  Cutlery and condiments can be found in baskets at the end of the table.

It is an extensive menu broken down into entree, noodles, rice, seafood, chicken, fish, beef and pork along with hotpots, soups, grills and drinks.  The menu is listed in both English and Vietnamese.

When I visit Miss Saigon I can be a creature of habit and tend to go for my favourites...so I have to start mixing it up a bit  and start tasting more dishes, but it's hard when you love certain dishes.

The seafood laksa is full of seafood and noodles and the soup base is creamy and rich with coconut milk with just the right amount of chilli kick, although adding chilli sauce is always a must for me! Hotter the better.

seafood laksa

 

I would have to say my favourite goto dish here is the seafood hotpot.  Packed full of squid, prawns, white fish, tofu, carrots, greens, baby corn and an incredible sauce in a bubbling hotpot.  Definitely a favourite.

hotpot

 

 

Sauce and a basket of herbage arrive at our table in anticipation of our meal.  A peanut chilli sauce, chilli sauce and a bowl of fresh chillis give us different options for our rice paper rolls.

 

saucing it up in the herbage basket

 

An entree of pork and prawn rice paper rolls are filled with vermicelli noodles, shallots, prawns and pork with lettuce.  The rice paper is glutinous and sticky.  I love fresh rice paper rolls.  Both sauces are fabulous drizzled over them.

rolls of prawny heaven

 

The herbage basket is full of basil, bean shoots and lemons which are then put on top of a huge steaming bowl of fragrant pho broth, filled to the brim with rice noodles, huge pieces of rare beef, shallots and herbage slowing cooking in the hot broth.  Miss Saigon are well known for their good pho.

pho sure!

 

Comes highly recommended for cheap good grub....but I will let the food speak for itself!

Bay Tinh, Marrickville

 

It was Valentines day.  I am not a person to celebrate Valentine's day - no I am not some dried up old spinster who doesn't believe in love or romance - I am quiet the opposite however it is more about the fact that I don't believe you need a 'hallmark' day to show you love and care for someone. Each and everyday should be about showing your feelings to a beloved one.  

 

We were both looking forward to some great Vietnamese food though (and yes we were both a little happy to have a date on Valentines day (we have only just started dating) regardless of what I have previously said LOL).

 

.......but I digress.

 

I have dined at Bay Tinh a couple of times before (blogger fail) and have always enjoyed our meals here.  We were seated early in the dining room that was already busy with couples and a few families. We are given a few moments to ourselves as we pour some wine and talk about our day and peruse the menu. All very civilised....but come on we are here for the food.  

 

There are so many options that I have been drooling over and know that I have to sacrifice so many (this time).

 

For starters we go with stuffed mussels - mussels stuffed with a fat prawn in oyster sauce. 

 

 

nothing stuffed about these

 

 

The mussels are tender and the prawn inside perfectly cooked.  The prawn fell out as soon as you picked it up, so was eaten separately.  The bed of salad is fresh and tangy.   Not a bad dish but I was obviously thinking 'stuffed' meant something other than just a prawn shoved inside it.

 

Next up we shared a huge platter of salt & pepper calamari.  Deep fried with crispy shells encasing soft, tender calamari and laced with salt and pepper and a side of lemon dipping sauce.  I could have had more chilli and will know for next time but these morsels were super good.  We were fork

 

 

 

calamari goodness

 

We also delved into a platter of ginger and shallot chicken.  I am a big fan of ginger and shallot chicken.  I always feel healthy and nurtured when eating this dish.  This was a great dish.  Hot ginger and soft green shallots with plenty of onions and tender chicken pieces.  I always feel comforted by the dish and this one is a big thumbs up.  We had a serve of simple steamed rice to go with the dish.

 

ginger love

 

I would highly recommend Bay Tinh.  I know I'll be back and testing more of their menu.

Just pho fun

Tucked away in the upper levels of Hunter Connection in the CBD is a 'little known' food court.  You wouldn't know it was there unless you had happened to stumble upon it or someone told you about it. However, you wouldn't believe that statement when you see how crowded it gets at lunch time. It' seems half of the CBD knows about this little 'secret'!

It's predominately Asian flavour stalls however there is a couple of other fast food/takeaway shops. There are Vietnamese, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Sushi and Thai stalls and there is an Organic cafe, kebab place and a Subway and it's super dooper cheap!

For food court food it's pretty good.  I'm sure there is lots of MSG making its way into the dishes, but when you can get dishes for around $6.50 with rice it's a great budget lunch.  There is always a massive turn around at lunchtime because of the crowds and dishes don't sit around for hours and hours in bain maries. Yes, this food court has been criticised in the past for unhygienic practices (at a couple of the stalls) but it certainly hasn't hurt business. 

If you are dining with a friend(s) grab a seat before you order if you can because by 12.10pm there will be little to no seating and pouncing on tables or sharing tables with someone else is a must!

I have craving bowls of pho lately.  It's my go to soup.  Comforting and carb-y on cold winters days.  I have eaten pho at both Hong Hai and Pho Han oi in this food court a couple times (I have incidentally also introduced a friend to the pho culture at both of these places (he just happens to be a ramen head but now enjoys pho too)...I'm pleased to convert someone!

So for research purposes only (okay aways) I have recently eaten at both to decide which is better. 
.

Hong Hai

Beef Pho

 

Piping hot broth, fresh noodles, smattering of coriander and shallots.  The beef got a little overcooked in the broth and was a bit overcooked and I didn't get the baggie of lime, herbage and bean sprouts (not sure if this was an oversight because I asked for takeaway) and didn't realise until it was to late.

 

 

Pho Ha Noi

Beef Pho

 

Clear strong broth, full of flavour, coriander and shallots, lots of rare beef slices and a baggie full of pho toppings, lemon wedge, fresh basil and crispy bean sprouts. 

 

Is is evident by just reading each review which one is the winner.  Pho Ha Noi, you will be pho ever my fav at this food court!

 

The slurping continues on my hunt around Sydney for great pho!