“WHHATTTTT?!” is the usual response that I get when I shyly state that I have not been to Cabramatta. To be honest, I probably have had been to Cabramatta but it was either too long ago or just short visits but I haven’t had a real real look and eat-around the amazing area. One fine day, Helen and I are given a grand tour by Phuoc of her hood and what a tasty hood it is. We wasted no time at all and dived head first into the most popular place to beat the crowds. Starting with the one and only crispy chicken! Here Comes the Food

If it is in their name, it has gotta be good!

Chanh Muoi preserved lemon drink ($3.50); Soda Sua Hot Ga egg yolk with milk and soda ($4)
It was quite a warm day so drinks were in order. We couldn’t pass up on the egg yolk drink (raw egg and soda?!) and was very interested in the preserved lemon drink as well. The Chanh Muoi is a very refreshing drink with salty, bitter and tangy notes. It reminds me of preserved kumquats and would be very good for people who are a bit sick as it has a soothing effect and feeling down the back of the throat. The egg yolk drink was surprising good and not as I expected. The egg works with the soda and has a nice creamy and frothy texture to it.

Mi Ga Da Don - Crispy chicken with egg noodles ($11.00)

The star of the meal arrives in all its’ glory! The skin ever so shiny and glistening while giving off a irresistible aroma. The meat was tender and juicy as expected and the crispy skin… well crispy! Each bite is very flavoursome and exposes the juices to your tastebuds. I could easily polish off many a plates of this by myself.

Soupless noodles that go nicely with the crispy chicken but I would prefer more chicken and less noodles haha

Com Dac Biet – Deluxe pork chop with broken rice ($11.00)
It would had been a bit silly to order just the crispy chicken (although I was very tempted) but a pork chop set was added to give us some variety. All the components of this dish work together beautifully and the pork chop itself was chewy in a good way and tasty. The shredded pork goes well with the egg and rice and with a drizzle of fish sauce.

Banh Mi Bo Kho – Spicy beef with bread roll ($9.50)
Some curry was also ordered and it was a very good choice. The smooth curry sauce was soaked up by the chunks of tender beef and each bite exploded with flavour. Ripping up the bread by hand and dunking it into the curry results in good times.

Oh so crunchy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside

It is easily understandable why this place is a must visit when coming to Cabramatta and why there is always such a big queue of hungry people outside. The crispy chicken was very good but I have to say de Pho in Chatswood is quite a good competitor for it. Being typical foodbloggers, one place isn’t enough and we move onto our next target to indulge in more Vietnamese goodies.

Bau Truong

The extensive menu at this place is quite mind-boggling and required two people to hold up for display (yes, it was double-sided too)

Salt and pepper duck tongue

I am a big eater of duck tongue and usually get my fix from Emperors Garden but I have not tried them deep fried and salt and peppered. The extra crunch that you get with deep frying is always a plus and the flavour is enhanced by the salt and pepper. The meat is still soft and tasty and is definitely one of my favourite snacks.

Xoi Chien Gion – crispy sticky rice ($7.50)

This dish was all you ever wanted. Crispy, starchy and very addictive. Each bite results in a nice crunch from the golden fried exterior and reveals soft and gooey sticky rice and mung bean combination inside. To top it off they even added some bits of meat to the side. Very tasty, very awesome.

Combination Rice Noodle

Nice flat ribbons of noodle covered in all sorts of wonderful ingredients and fresh vegetables.

If you think that was enough to satisfy, then you are correct… about normal people! We hit up the streets for more food action!

There are just so many stores and shops and it really takes me back to Asia

I have heard Broomhilda go on and on about the Cabra pork rolls so I ask Phuoc to show us a good one. Even though this is not her usually pork roll joint, this pork roll left me speechless.

Banh Mi

By the great beard of Odin this pork roll blew my mind and everything I knew about Vietnamese pork rolls. I can’t really pinpoint the reason why it was soooo good so I concluded that it was just due to the whole combination of things. From their sauce and special mayonnaise to their cold cuts and their vegetables, this roll was just perfect. Each bite had me moaning and scaring away the people around me. It was creamy and each ingredient shone in their own way. Magical… must go back for more!

I think I found my new Banh Mi joint

Banh Kep – pandan waffles ($1.50)

A yummy snack of pandan waffle helps cures our aching sweet tooth. Soft waffle with subtle hints of pandan is always good and I wish I had some now to snack on haha.

Donut

We also got some donuts to share. These were pretty much just fried circles of dough and then coated in a sugar layer. Much sugary goodness with much crunch.

Moving onto cooling our thirsts with some drinkies from this drink/dessert bar

Can ly!

I got a nice refershing avocado juice (so very very good) which was creamy and rich with avocado flavour without being overly sweet.

Helen got an ice shake with jellies, palm seeds and other goodies

We were pretty much full but our last location lead us a little bit away to Canley Heights

I had requested that we try Balut which is a fertilized duck egg boiled with a developing embryo inside. So for those that are a little squeamish, you might not want to see although you cannot really see much.

Our Balut all warm and cozy inside…

Phuoc showing us the pro way to tackle this

I was quite excited in trying this and had hoped for a more developed embryo like I had seen on the internets and other places but we got some which were still very young.

It tastes pretty much like a hard boiled egg with bits of duck meat in it so it was quite delicious. I think the main obstacle for people who won’t try is the mentality, fortunately I do not have this problem and dive right in with gusto. It is a nice portable snack for a good protein hit, however after eating it I had a feeling that I may have tasted it or something similar before.

It was a very tasty tour and a BIIIGGGG thanks to Phuoc for showing Helen and I around! However there is still so much more to try and taste so we should do this again soon ^^!

Tan Viet Noodle House

3/100 John Street

Cabramatta, 2166

Ph: (02) 9727 6853

Bau Truong

70 John St

Cabramatta, 2166

Ph: (02) 9727 4492

Diem Hen

205 Canley Vale Rd

Canley Heights, 2166

Ph: (02) 9724 9800

FFichiban

As you work routinely through the day at your computer reading foodblogs and restaurant reviews, a small box suddenly pops up in the bottom right, “You Got Message”. You check your email with glee to find one from Chocolatesuze. She has sent you a mission, do you choose to accept it, to check out and recon the newly opened Fat Noodle at Star City. The mission is simple, to survey the food at the launch and make contact with the consulting chef Luke Nguyen. If you choose to accept go to A, if you think you are unable to handle the task click here.

A – Making your way to Star City is not an easy task, as there have been traps set up to catch you out. The first one was when you walk past Harbourside and the wafting aroma of sweet and sticky ribs of Hurricanes enter your nostrils. Your step slows… almost to a complete stop, until you suddenly snap back and remember your initial mission, however +30 Hunger. The main entrance opens up to reveal an escalator and a big sign. You follow the advice of the lovely ladies and go up to the red carpet but reach at the end reach a T-junction. Go to B if you go left, go to C if you decide to turn right.

B – You have made the wrong turn and ended up at the main dining area in the middle of the gambling floor. But you do manage to sneak some glances into the kitchen. +5 Hunger and backtrack to C.

C – A welcome lotus candle sets the whole Asian mood along with the projections on the curtains above your head and the slow strings of violin melodies. Do you wish to explore more of the area, D, or start hitting up the food, F?

D – You come across to a wall of fire… which was really more of a row of pretty candles. But it does deter you from venturing forwards so with +5 Hunger you continue round to the other side to E.

E – Spotted one times Chocolatesuze! As well as fellow bloggers Grab Your Fork, Eat Show & Tell and Tasted by Two. They had already begun with the drinks, so without delay you swiftly pick up a bypassing cocktail. Drink on to F.

F – Lychee Martini Cocktail. A icy and refreshing blend which goes down smooth and dangerously easy with a sweet and fruity tone. The sour apple accompaniment contrasts nicely against the sweetness of the drink. +1 Intoxication and +3 Hunger, but you are still in the search for more. Do you want to head towards the bar for more drinks, G, or chase down the waiters who are beginning to bring the food out, J?

G – Before stands a small and silent man who works his magic so quickly that he appears as a blur. I am not one to judge a book by its’ cover but this time you could tell immediately he is a master of the arts… martial arts that is, so all you do is watch silently in awe not wanting to disturb his chakra flow. Ooh and Aah onto H.

H – He charges up and summons the chakra into his hands…

And unleashes it all in a blaze of fury as he casts Firaga. Adding an invaluable entertainment factor to the cocktail preparation.

Tamarind, maple and cinnamon martini infused with orange peel flame. The cinnamon sugar lining along the rim of the glass pleases you to no end and each sip fills you will a warm and sugary feeling. +1 Intoxication and +3 Hunger. Each step brings you closer to inebriation but if you do love your cocktails and fancy some more head back to F or G. Otherwise Here Comes the Food… at J.

J – Roast duck, perilla and enoki mushroom and King prawn and pork Vietnamese rice paper rolls. You start off with some light rice paper rolls which taste fresh with a great combination of herbs. The Hoisin sauce with peanuts matches beautifully with the rolls. As you much happily other staff members begin bringing out the food and you smile with glee. But do you smile to the waiter on the left, K, or to the waitress on the right, L?

K – Grilled organic Byron Bay pork neck skewers. The first bite causes a wonderful sweet and salty flavour burst in the mouth and leaves you nodding and smiling. The pork neck is tender and juicy and you know that this is only the first of many (-1 Hunger per skewer). Still munching happily on the pork neck you now turn to the waitress, L, if not already done so or head onto M.

L – Byron Bay pork crispy parcels. A very enthusiastic and cheery waitress introduces these as crispy parcels, which are pretty much spring rolls. They do give a musical crisp with each bite and a filling of pork, glass noodles and wood ear mushroom creates a harmony of flavours (-1 Hunger per crispy parcel). Crunch your way to K if not done so already or head to M.

M – A quick glance around the room between bites of your finger food allows you to spot Mikey Robins… but you quickly turn your attention back to the food. Once again you face the task of choosing the left plate, N, or right plate, O.

N – Salt and Pepper silken tofu. You watch Chocolatesuze have difficulty picking up the tofu with the little toothpick-like tool and laugh but then you find yourself facing the same problem and feel quite the silly. The tofu is delicate and soft under a crisp batter layer. It would have been quite bland if not for the spices added to it (-1 Hunger per 2 tofu). The other waiter has gone so with a longing look you look towards the kitchen, go to P.

O – Fat pho noodles. A mini tub of Chef Luke’s signature pho welcomes you with a warming aroma. You sip at the rich flavoursome broth of oxtail and nibble at the slice Angus sirloin and strand of rice noodle. The broth is simply amazing and you finish it all quickly just in time to steal the last portion (-1 Hunger per portion). As you drink happily, your eyes wander over to the kitchen, go to P.

P – The man himself serendipitously is looking your direction as he sips his wine. If you become locked and infatuated by his seductive gaze go to Q. If you quickly giggle, blush and turn away go to R.

Q – Chef Luke Nguyen. He approaches you suavely and asks how the night and food is going. He is of kind and friendly nature and greets everyone and poses for photos. He reminds you that there is more food to come and then is gone as swiftly as he arrived. With one objective complete you keep moving forward to chase down another waiter at S.

R – A platter of pork neck was positioned perfectly and you are able to snatch up a few more (-1 Hunger per skewer) but then out of the corner of your eye you see someone coming towards you, go to Q.

S – Slow braised wagyu beef brisket and tendon with a rich beef broth. The hearty aromatic broth and beautiful chunk of tender beef was easily the best dish of the night. The beef simply fell apart in the mouth and the flavours filled every part of the mouth (-2 Hunger per portion). If you decide that this one is simply not enough you can repeat S again, otherwise you can follow Grab Your Fork for a little meander at U or stop the waiter walking past at T.

T – Prawn and Pork wontons. With a lighter soup the wonton has a nice skin and packed full of prawn and pork. However it is a little bland and probably the least tasty of what you have tried today (-1 Hunger per wonton). You have to catch up to GYF at V.

U – It was well worth following GYF as you spot Matt Preston, his hand actions and vigour as he describes food is inspirational. You then continue to *eh hm*stalk*eh hm* him as he meets and greets Luke Nguyen at V.

V – The sight of these two together has your heart aflutter but then another pair catches your eye, get distracted to W.

W – Roast Duck & Large Eastern Australian prawns with X.O. glass noodles. This pair of plates has you jumping up and down as the staff serves them in smaller plates. The roast duck is soft and silky, especially the skin but I found that it could have done with a bit more sauce. While the glass noodles were smooth and had a good bite from the X.O. sauce (-1 Hunger per serving). The night seems to be coming to an end with not many new dishes bringing brought around. Head on to X.

X – A glance at the menu, presented by the glamorous Chocolatesuze (you know she is hiding a really big CHEESEY smile ), reveals that all the food you tried is on the menu for people to order which is a good indication of all the great Asian cuisines of the rest of the menu. As you congratulate on a mission success you thank Chef Nguyen and the staff for a wonderful and tasty evening. As you leave they present you with a goodie bag which was a surprising bonus ^^! You walk out patting your stomach, if you are full and want to call it a night (Hunger level is negative) head on to Y, however if you are still able to squeeze in some more food (Hunger level 0 or positive) go on to Z.

Y – What are you thinking?!?! You are a foodblogger! It is not important if your hungry or not, you will still end up eating so get your ass onto Z

Z – The Songs of Sapa by Luke Nguyen. You check out your goodie bag and pleasantly surprised to receive a copy of Luke’s latest recipe book. You browse through the fascinating photos and recipes while munching on your supper of Deep Fried Ice Cream, while others dig into banana fritter, PB toast with condensed milk (with extra condensed milk), Kaya toast (with extra Kaya), French toast with PB and various drinks. However, you continue reading the book long after your supper is gone so +20 Hunger for the trip home…

Fat Noodle

Star City Casino, gambling floor

80 Pyrmont St

Pyrmont, 2009

Ph: 1800 700 700

Consulting Chef: Luke Nguyen

FFichiban