Tuesday, December 29, 2015

White Taro, Surry Hills



I just found a new favorite brunch place of mine! I recently went on a brunch date with Mr.P. Since he needed a private catch up with me on a regular basis ;P
It's been so hard to gather up my foodie friends to come with me here, so I thought going with Mr.P would be a great idea since we will order extra stuff anyway ..

White Taro is a fusion of Vietnamese and Western style brunch and they are just located across Reuben Hills! I arrived at the place at noon and we got seated immediately. Their have outdoor dining area as well, but I always prefer inside, unless the lighting outside is better :)


The place itself wasn't as big but it feels kinda comfy and welcoming :)
Without further ado, we made our orders!
The not to be missed Deconstructed Banh Mi is the first thing to come to our table. Crispy pork belly with house made apple date chutney, crunchy veggie pickles, spiced Kumquat Butter, kimchi, Chicken orange pate served with Freshly Baked Baguette. There are so many elements in this dish and for me the best way to eat them is to put a little bit of everything inside the baguette. It tasted amazing! Nothing that Ive ever tasted before. Writing this literally made me drools that I really wanted to go back there asap!
Deconstructed Banh Mi $19
 I was hesitant at first to order the Chook in Broth, because the clear broth to be honest does not tempt me whatsoever. But we order it anyway cause it falls under the "recommended" menu. It came in this huge bowl and topped with grilled chicken which undoubtedly so tasty and the clear broth is actually rich in flavour but light. It has a strong sesame oil note which Mr.P and I loveeeesss. The noodle was perfect with the crunchy beansprouts, wild mushrooms and the oozing boiled egg. highly recommended!!

Chook in Broth $15
 Lastly, we got the Acai Bowl cause its not only looks fantastic on Instagram, but it was actually delish! Served with seasonal fruits, muesli and greek yoghurt. It so refreshign and at the same time satisfied the sweet thing needed after a savoury meal :)
Acai Bowl $14
To sum up, White Taro got 4 thumbs up from me! They serve beautiful foods and service was great. Even though waiting time for the foods can be quite long, but good food is made with love and it takes time :)

White Taro Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Spice Alley, Kensington Street


So couple weeks ago, my friends and I visited Kensington street for the first time on a Sunday. We reached the place 2pm after church and we were starving! Luckily, the place wasn't as crowded as I imagined it would be.


This place is located just next to Central Park and they got so many entrance to the area. We went through this small lane to reach the place and once we entered, we were amazed by the design of the dining area and how the placed the food vendors. Definitely bring me back to eating street foods in Malaysia.



Went to Spice Alley with Ms.N, her sister and not to forget Bebski. The four of us ordered each dishes from each stalls. They were so cheap and so delicious at the same time! So let me break down the list of the food vendors:
  • Alex Lee Kitchen : was planning to try their Durian Roti but they run out, so we got the Roti Telor and Roti Canai with Curry
  • Old Jim Kee: Char Kuey Teow, Hokkian Noodle, Sambal Pipi, Lohbak and Fried Chicken Wing
  • Bang Luck : Oyster Omellete fritter and Crispy Pork Belly with Chilli Jam on Rice
  • Hongkong Diner: Roast Duck with Salted egg on Rice
  • Drinks: Ice Kacang and Milk tea
Believe or not, each person spent $25 for everything. We ate our heart out and tummy are fully satisfied! :)
Spice Alley is a great place to chill and they sell a variety of foods to choose from.



Had Froyo from Anita for dessert. I know.. i know. After all that feast, i still got room for this :P


Bang Luck Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato Hong Kong Diner Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato Kopi-Tiam Spice Alley Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Thursday, December 10, 2015

Bar Luca, Sydney CBD



Bar Luca is o ne of the best Burger place that I've visited here in Sydney. Located in Philip st near Circular Quay, it's no surprised that this place is always packed with diners during peak hour lunch time as blogger/students/part timer like me has to compete with the executives that work in that area ;P

The good thing is they are open for bookings! So rest assured if you are organised, you will definitely secure yourself a table. 


Bar Luca offers different specials everyday from Monday to Friday and unfortunately they close on the Weekend T.T I went there on Wednesday with my fellow foodies, 9 of us to taste first hand this amazeballs burger that we saw a lot on Instagram. The specials on Wed currently is free add of Bacon or Cheese !!


I ordered a side of the Crab, Coriander and Corn Fritter with the creamy Aioli. They are good especially dipped into the sauce. I would love to taste more coriander in it thoughh ;P

Fritter $9
Tried the Pulled Pork Burger which comes with Coleslaw, Coriander, tender juicy Pulled Pork and Chipotle Aioli with side ons for Fried and Chicken wing for $6! Oops not to forget the additional cheese and maple glazed bacon, yummm ~~

Pulled Pork Burger $14 
Chicken Karage Burger comes next to our table which comprise of Crispy crumbed Chicken Karage, Coriander, Wasabi Aioli, Pickled Veg and Coral Lettuce (add Bacon).
Hmmm.. you know  how when u visited a burger place that is specialised in beef burger, and you kinda don't wanna look at other varities, at Bar Luca, you better think twice cause this karage burger is at the same level of yuminessss!

Chicken Karage Burger $14
As can be seen from my epic pic below, the star of Bar Luca, the thing that occupied most of my Insta News Feed! The Blame Canada - 200g Wagyu Beef Pattie, Maple glazed Bacon, Maple Aioli and Poutine, with addition bacon and chesse and fried and chicken wings ~~~

The buns were so soft that you need to take the photo almost immediately when it arrives before it started to be less fluffy, the pattie is always serve with a pink center, and the combination of all eleements just made this burger taste heavenly delish!

Highly Highly Recommended !!

Blame Canada $15
Some shots of behind the scenes of how we foodies dine! ;P




It's so good that I'm coming back again today with different troops and so glad the special is $10 bucket wings1 yummmm ~~

Bar Luca Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Monday, November 30, 2015

Hawker Lane, Chatswood


Last Sunday, I got an opportunity to visit the new eating spot in Chatswood called Hawker Lane where all the vendors specialize in authentic street food of Asia. Hawker lane can be accessed through Charlotte Lane off Anderson st which is a small lane filled with street food pop-ups and a backdrop of urban street art.. 


There were two pop-ups last Sunday. One is a French Crepe called Maboul and the other is a Hot Dog stall. Did't get to try them out as we were so fullll from sampling all the delicious signature dishes from Hawker Lane's vendor.


Upon entry to the place, I was greeted by a lady where I did my registration as I was invited and I was given this blue hand strap and she advise me to show that to every vendor to get their signature dish samples.

A welcome Coconut Dessert were given to me and Bebski as we walked in and the coconut dessert is no other than from Kayter Coco. The one and only specialized in Coconut dessert. As usual, the coconut were sooo refreshing and the sweets on top just a perfect way to end my massive meal here in hawker Lane :)


The place was already crowded at 11:30am when I arrived. I was so excited as I walked through the area. I can smell lots of aroma from smoky wok, chilli, cumin,etc and most of all, the ambiance of the place really makes you thing you are out of Sydney! :)

My first stop is to Chachu's and Mao Chai. Apparently Mao chai and China Chilli are of the same owner and so they share a sample dish. 


From Chachu's, I chose to try their Lamb Boti which is a spiced lamb wrapped in Roti and filled with lettuce, onion and their special sauce. Original price for 1 roll is $7.90


China Chilli is specializing in Sichuan cuyisine originated from Sichuan province in South Western China. Their menu did droolsss me alot. Unfortunately when I came, they only accept cash and the place was so hectic that I don't bother to take cash out T.T

We got a sample of the Dumpling in Chilli Oil. The sauce was made from Garlic, Chilli oil and sichuan pepper which are the essentials in Sichuan cuisine. Both bebski and I lovedd the Dumpling. It was soo good. The person in charge in the shop, not sure whether he's the owner or not but he surely was a dear! He gave us heaps of $10 voucher to be used in our next visit and he even asked me how many serve of dumpling that I want. ;)


Next stop is Jim's Malaysia. I especially like how they design their stall. It was so vibrant and inviting. They got a private seating next to the counter with a street-food feel like the one back in Malay and the lineeeee was long! Which is a good thing.


I was hoping that they would give us CKT as for their sample hehehe..  But instead, we got the Fried rice, Laksa, Curry puff, BBQ bun and this dessert made of coconut cream and pandan. In indo, we called it Kue Talam. Bebski lovedd the BBQ pastry and I loveeeeee the Laksa! Would definitely be back for a whole bowl of it and not to forget the CKT!


Not only Chinese and Malay Street food, here, there are also other such as Nahm Jimm for Thai, One Tea, Makanai and Sushi World for Japanese. Not to forget Gong cha and Lamb & Cumin for their skewers!


Lamb skewers from lamb & Cumin. Strong Cumin flavour and juicy meats. Cumin though is something either you like it or not. But bebski and I definitely like 'em ;P 3 sticks of lamb skewer for $5.50.


Tuna Sushi Roll from Sushi World. Other vendors were delighted to see us with the blue straps except this shop, i wonder why ;p They don't seem to be that happy to see us getting our samples >.<


Went to Nahm Jimm and apparently they were giving out padthai and pad kra pao with rice in small portions but I got there too late that the new sample is Chicken Skewer with salads which looks rather interesting. While walking with that in my hand, a number of people approached me and asked what is that I'm carrying hihi. The peanut dressing was soo good and the chicken skewers too!


I don't know what to think or react to this very cute sample from Makanai ^.^" ... It's a portion of a sample they gave out in Costco. haha. I had to share this with bebski ;P But I acknowledge that their Chashu Pork was yuumm. even though I only get to try a bit but I can definitely taste the really good smoked pork in it!


I think this is my first time having Gong cha in Sydney ;P I hardly get this bubble drink.. This time I tried their signature Milk Foam Green tea with Bubble. Not too sweet and the tea are so fragrant.


Fresh Beef Spring Rolls from Madam Nhu. I can't have enough of the rolls. It was yumm! Madam Nhu apparently is one of Sydney's first modern Vietnamese eateries in Sydney since 2007. Where have I been all this timee!




One of the many vendor that I have been wanting to try out since long time ago! Went to One Tea once at the city and did not make any booking so left the place downheartedly.. But sad not, I got to sample their Ramen Burger, Green Tea Burger with Chicken Karage and Green Tea ice cream Bao. Love the crisp edge of the Ramen, the aromatic Green tea bun of the Karage and for the Green Ta bao, i loveee all the combos. The fried mantau that they shaped into buns, the red bean paste and the sweetness from the Green tea are just perfect!



Last but not least, we had the Giant 12oz Fried Chicken from Cheers Cut! Addition to Hot star, Shilin and other Taiwanese snacks, Cheers cut according to Bebski topped all of them all.


The chicken was as big as both of my palms! There are heaps of sauces to choose from too.. I tried their sichuan sauce as Bebski and I like it hot hot hot! Even though we were so full from all the samples, we still can managed to finish it off since it's that delish...


They have options of 8oz or 12oz chicken/squid. For takeaway, they gave us this convenient hand carry pack for the chicken rather than a boring white plastic bag ;P


On our way out, we found Aquas at the corner and Bebski decided to get a sample of the Royal Milk Tea x Seasalt even though we tried that flavour the day before at the city ;p I guess Royal Milk Tea is our favourite flavour so far from Aquas!


That ends our Journey in Hawker Lane. They should have their eftpos machine to work by next week! I will definitely definitely bring my foodie troops to this place and we will chow down the food that I don't get to try, in bigger portion! hehe ;)

I'm so thankful to be invited to this Taste of Asia Events! .^^. Until next time, Chatswood :)