I Heart Cabramatta

Take Away for Dinner

No. 20 of my fav things in Cabramatta.

The best meal you have from Cabramatta may not be the food that you consume here, but the food you take home.

Unfortunately, most people are so excited by all the choices, they end up filling up their stomachs before they can even sample a fraction of the food. The biggest mistake (don’t worry if you’ve done this, you’re not the only one!) is having a fruit shakes all to yourself. Fruit shakes are a MUST DO but they are BLOODY HUGE (even the SMALL size =400mL). Without pacing yourself (or sharing everything) you’ll quickly find that you’re already full (Epic appetite FAIL!).

Working here til 5:30PM everyday means that I buy take away A LOT. This post is dedicated to dinner take away, I’ve also got a post on Lunch take away. The difference being that dinner meals require rice (too salty to be eaten on its own) and needs to be served hot. This is not a rule, its just how we do it at my household.

Here are my favourites:

Bao Forever - good ol’ home style cooking. Often the lovely old ladies can be seen rolling spring rolls on the communal dining tables. I come here for freshly made desserts during the day and home cooked take away in the evening.

I love the Vietnamese sour soup. There’s a choice of fish or prawns. The beef salad is great for lunch and the chicken curry is mild (coconut milk) and generous.

You’ll notice a lot of pork belly and fish dishes. Carmelised is the most common form of preparation, almost all Vietnamese households have a pot at any given time. Followed by stir fries.

Where? Bao Forever, Shop 12b/ 53 Park Rd (Bkk, facing out towards the carpark and pagodas) 02 9723 0998

Made fresh on premises by someone’s grandmother

Choose to eat in if you like.

Dipping sauces just waiting for a home

Dessert: black eyed beans and sticky rice

View from outside. Watching her spoon sticky mung bean dessert into a container.

On days I go vegan, I get my take away from An lac Vegetarian Restaurant, who has a bain-marie just by the doorway to make it quick and easy.

Where? 94b John St, 02 9727 5116.

Tags: 100 Fav Things, desserts, vegetarian, Vietnamese

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Categories 100 features of Cabra, Food

Cassava Desserts

9 May

No.18 of my 100 things I love about Cabra.

Fresh cassava desserts are made daily by several well established local vendors.

I’ve listed my favourite 3 here, however there are many more around town and overall the quality you get is excellent.

Kaysone knows how it’s done.

1. Poached Cassava in Syrup (with optional Coconut cream)

This is SO GOOD. It looks sweeter than it actually is. Don’t let that luscious looking syrup put you off, its actually no sweeter than candied nuts (remember the cassava is bland and the syrup only coats the exterior).

Cassava is quite a dry starchy root vegetable so drenching it in syrup gives it this incredible texture.. like you’re biting into a jelly bean! This dish is the way cassava should be prepared! It preserves the subtle flavour and incredible texture of cassava.

Look at the shine. Not pineapple, but cassava.

$3.50 for this small tub (3 sizes). This would happily serve 2-3 people.

Where? Kaysone Sweets Freedon Plaza, Shop 4, 59-61 Park Road Ph: 9755 5759

2. Thai steamed Cassava Dessert (Khanom Mun Sam-pa-lang)

This dessert is a variant of the baked one (see below). I much prefer this one as its sooooo soft with a nice bite to it. For anyone who is a fan of kuih (or kueh) you would love this! The flavour of coconut comes in layers; first the delicate infusion of the cake, then the robust flavour from the shredded coconut on top. The makers of this (Pok Sweets) really do it so well. Simple dishes like this are very easy to get wrong, however Pok Sweets manage to get everything right and it’s evident in the cake being moist and clean with no hints of stickiness!

Small tub for $4

Look at the soft flex. Gelatinous joy!

3. Baked Cassava Squares

If you have a penchant for chewy baked goods then you’ll love this! It’s a heavy cake that can be ~~rubbery~~ al dente. It has a good mellow coconut flavour. I go through phases and for a while I was obsessed with this version.

Golden skin = Baked to perfection!

This piece cost $4 and serves 2.

Dense cake.

Where? Both are from Pok Sweets (Specialising in Thai Sweets & Desserts). Bkk International Food Court, B9/53 Park Rd. Ph: 9755 9906.

Pok Sweets (Specialising in Thai Sweets & Desserts). This very small storefront inside BKK is easy to miss. Look for the florist and it’s right opposite.

Tags: 100 Fav Things, Cassava, desserts, Gluten-free dessert, Thai/Lao

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Categories 100 features of Cabra, Food

House Temples

6 May

No. 19 of my top 100 fav things in Cabramatta

“House temples” a phrase that I have coined to describe these numerous temples that have popped up in the residential parts of Cabramatta. At first you do a double take, then you ask youself “Is that a typical 1960′s red brick house with a big white Buddhist statue in the front yard?”. Answer : “Yes it is!”.

It seems that once you’ve noticed one, you can’t help but notice them everywhere. Driving along the streets it’s literally: house, house, temple, house, phone booth, house etc.

Often the main structure of the house is maintained but the gardens are transformed into colourful scenes. I almost expect to see a Buddhist monk wandering about but have yet to see one….a little disappointed actually…

I’m aware that these ‘house temples’ may not officially be listed with the council (yes I’ve tried finding them on the council data), so to avoid revealing their location I’ve withheld addresses on my photos. To be honest this is only a handful (5 featured here). So far I’ve counted 12 (on main roads) but I know there are many more on smaller streets…I would guestimate about 20. This exercise reminds me of temple spotting Kyoto without a map.

I can’t say that I’ve seen such a thing in any other suburb, so I’d have to say that this one of my TOP favourite thing about Cabramatta.

Note: There is very little English within the temples, so I’m not sure how they would feel about visitors…..or my post for that matter!!

Where? Somewhere in Cabramatta

Typical 60km/hr street in suburbia…except that temple on the right.

….was a driveway…now a temple entrance

lovely lawn

house temple with house wheelie bin

Glass cabinet to protect these beautiful statues against the elements.

Telltale signs of a temple, just look for the flags.

Tags: 100 Fav Things, Buddhist, Religious

Comments 2 Comments
Categories 100 features of Cabra, Buildings, Cultural

Thai Lao Pumpkin Custard

3 May

No. 17 of 100 fav things in Cabra

I have waited 6 months for this to come back into season!!! Finally! Autumn = pumpkins! Yipee!

The steamed Thai/Lao pumpkin custard can be difficult to find amongst all the glistening brightly coloured cakes however just look on top of the glass cabinet on the right hand side. You’ll see pre-cut-n-packed trays of pumpkin custards – all price labelled with black texta.

derrr $3!

Many of the thai/lao desserts are quite sweet, this one included. A word of warning to those who are not fond of the asian “eggy” custard taste. This is definitely “eggy”! This custard also contains coconut milk for creaminess.
“

All the cakes you see there are hand made daily and limited in quantity. I’ve noticed that by 12pm Thai/Lao Pumpkin custard are usually sold out.They do have many more colourful and exotic desserts made from coconut milk, sticky rice and pandan if you’re up for trying something different.

This $3 portion can be split into 4 small servings (or two large) servings. This dessert is best served cold.

Where? Pok Sweets (Specialising in Thai Sweets & Desserts). Bkk International Food Court, B9/53 Park Rd (cnr Dutton Lane). Ph: 9755 9906.

A small serving. Eat the skin and all!

Very soft and moist, excellent chilled.

Tags: 100 Fav Things, desserts, food, fruit, Lao

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Categories 100 features of Cabra, Food

Vegetarian

28 Apr

No. 16 of my 100 fav things in Cabra (if you are not bothered to read everything just go straight to no. (3) “Salt n Pepper Tofu” halfway down the page).

There are 5 good vegetarian restaurants and two good vegan grocery stores in Cabra. I like this one, Loving Hut!

Some will tell you An Lac is the best for soup dishes or Duy Linh is best for yum cha and mock meat dishes (yes people eat pretend meat! Its aimed at the omnivore who is expected to infrequently ‘go veggie’ on special Buddhist occassions eg the day of a full moon). However mine is Loving Hut. PLEASE don’t roll your eyes! Yes i am aware that it is a franchise, stop being hipster for one moment and listen out. The chef here is one of a kind.

I swear the food is amazing. It’s not oily, it’s fresh and it doesn’t leave your mouth feeling like a dessicated mess afterwards (a comforting sign of no MSG abuse). I can’t believe this place serve up 96 different items (on the menu) and absolutely onion and garlic free!

Here are my favourites:

(1) Peking duck – An exciting vegetarian version of an old fav. It’s filled with mock roast duck (tasty bean curd), steamed carrots, coriander, cucumber, hoi sin sauce and steamed radish. No saturated fats and no onion breath afterwards.

$8 for 4, this vegetarian version is a fav of mine

(2) Chinese Vegetables Rice Rolls – This is a veggie version of Bo Bi which is a chinese/vietnamese dish where cooked vegetables are used. No vermicelli or overpowering herbs. Great for those who appreciate the simple flavours of cooked veggies….or have no teeth (this is not a joke, my grandma loves this dish and she is a fine cook). Black fungus and strips of puffed tofu are added for texture.

Soft steamed vegetables. Great for those who don't like the taste of raw veggies.

cabramatta loving chinese hut rice rolls

Vegetarian Bo Bi which is listed as Chinese Rice Rolls on the menu $5

(3) Salt N Pepper Tofu – This dish is SO GOOD. This is dish is worth visiting Loving Hut.

These are mini clouds of moist softness. That is the best description I can think of. I’m sorry that its so lame. It’s so good that I’ll even forgive that it’s not salt n pepper flavoured. Its more like “fried chilli tofu” than salt n pepper. But lets not focus too much on flavour, this dish has the most amazing texture ever. Its completely unlike anything I’ve ever had (and I thought I’ve had every soy product ever made…I’ve even traveled to Japan to eat fresh tofu skin).

The skin is like pastry. The inside is not dry but moist and puffy! Chilli relish is HOT.

Think of your first bite of a kripsy kreme donut. Remember how in that one moment it completely changed how you viewed donuts? Donuts were never so soft and light and non oily. All your previous donuts then seemed dry and doughy in comparison. This is what this dish will do for you. REDEFINE fried TOFU!

If you’ve been wanting to convince someone that tofu is delicious them stick this in their gob.

Salt n Pepper Tofu topped with chilli relish

This pic doesn't do it justice! It is the most unusual consistency. So soft and moist.

Where? 227 Cabramatta Road West Cabramatta NSW 2166 (02) 9755 4410. Opened 9am-9pm 7 days.

Just try to ignore all the propaganda plastered on the wall, menu and tv.

Tags: 100 Fav Things, food, vegetarian

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Categories 100 features of Cabra, Food

Bun Bo Hue

4 Apr

Distinctively red

No. 16 of my 100 things in Cabramatta

Bun Bo Hue “Spicy beef noodle soup” is only second to pho! The literal translation is “Bun” = vermicelli, “Bo” = beef, “Hue” ( a city in mid Vietnam, which was once the imperial capital).

You may often see restuarants ‘specialising in Pho’ but have you ever noticed one dedicated to Bun Bo hue instead? Gia Hoi and Dong Ba are two that come to mind. Be aware, there are 3 Dong Ba’s in Cabramatta. yes i know, its crazy.

This dish is flavoured with lots of fragrant fried lemongrass, anchovy, beef broth and pork trotters. A spicy (supposedly, though most restaurants stay on the safe side of mild) soup with soft chewy white vermicelli (this particular vermicelli resembles thick spaghetti). Despite it’s venomous appearance, its rather light.

Yet another variety of rice noodles. Bun Bo Hue is ONLY served with this type.

One special ingredient of bun bo hue is the use of banana blossom strips. It may not be easily recognised in its stripped and curled up formed, but it looks like purple/brown and white slithers of fibrous vegetable. Like many of our amazing produce, I am so grateful to have this ingredient available to us in Australia (only recently). When it’s not in season, purple cabbage is used instead.

This is a good dish to introduce yourself to blood jelly ( see dark gelatinous cube).

I love the use of tender beef shin and vietnamese meatloaf. Typically meats are dipped in a homemade sate.

Where? 6/40 Park Rd (actually on Hughes St) is the best! (there are two other stores on John St which were opened two years ago). Cost? $9

Party for the eyes and party for the mouth.

Tags: 100 Fav Things, Noodles, Vietnamese

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Categories 100 features of Cabra, Food

Big POW POW

18 Feb

No. 15 of my 100 fav things in Cabra

Big POW POW?? That’s what I heard a cute 2 year old toddler call the Big BUN BAO!! All jokes aside (should never laugh at a child’s poor speech development), big pow pow is not far from the truth.

Here I emphasise ‘BIG’ to differentiate every other steamed bun that you’ve ever come across in your life. For under $3.00 you could get a steam bun the size of YOUR FACE! ….that is, if your head was the size of pug. LOL (note to me: never mention dogs and food in the same sentence).

I’m a fan of all steamed buns: sweet (red bean/lotus paste/custard I don’t discriminate), BBQ pork, crispy duck…you pick the filling just wrap it with dough, steam it up and its instantly edible!

The mince used is similar to that used in Pate Chaud. Packed in tight. No gravy (gravy is for wusses).

The dough is thick, yet fluffy and soft. The fillings are….are…CHUNKY!!

Lean pork.

Whole shitake mushroom.

Half a boiled egg.

A chunk of chinese sausage (‘lap cheong’ similar to a spicy chorizo seasoned with five spices).

Chunks of onion.

This is the ultimate comfort food. Even big eaters would smile in satisfaction with a good wholesome Big bun bao.

Admittedly pork buns can be found in many countries Japan, Taiwan etc. Steam buns to asians are like pies are to the western world.

You can find bun bao’s at most good bakeries in Cabra (in the steamer). Sometimes known as combination bun, as you can also get plain chicken and BBQ pork buns. Note: Please remove paper form the bottom before consuming!

Where? I get mine from A&A Cakes (shop 16/101-103 John Street). Watch out as numbers are limited, buns sell out daily. Best to nab them before 3pm.

Price? $3.00 for Big ones. Less for other flavours (smaller) ones.

Buns at AA Cakes. Just point and someone will help you. Refrain from helping yourself.

Tags: 100 Fav Things, Bakery, Buns

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Categories 100 features of Cabra, Food

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