Showing posts with label Vietnamese. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Vietnamese. Show all posts

Monday, March 23, 2015

Hong Ha, Mascot


A famous pork roll joint in Mascot. Who would have thought? I didn't even know it existed until 2011 when my date at the time mentioned that this joint was much better than all the pork roll shops in Cabramatta. Say it isn't so! Not long after, I found a few articles about the same pork roll shop in various food and lifestyle mags, websites and food blog reviews. Since then, it has been on my wishlist for a freaking long time. There has to be something special about those pork rolls that gets every pork roll lover lining up even before opening time at 6am! (Many thanks to my colleague for sharing that story btw :)).



After countless times getting asked to check Hong Ha from V, I finally found the time to visit this part of Sydney after getting the massive cravings. Not surprisingly there was that inevitable queue when I arrived in front of this tiny but incredibly busy shop. If you are impatient like myself, never fear! The queues actually went by pretty fast that I was still somewhat indecisive when it was my turn to order.




While the sign itself has been updated compared to how it appeared in past reviews, the fitout has that old school appeal that was most likely the same when it opened more than 20 years ago. Pretty much your typical pork roll shop with all the condiments laid out at the frot (the cheese was interesting though). While the service can be abrupt and blunt, they were all super quick so you can get your pork roll fast after waiting in that infamous queue. 




Pork Roll ($5.00)

Ordered a pork roll and a chicken roll because I had no idea when I will be there next. The bread roll was crispier and crustier compared to the ones I've had another pork roll joints but it was also quite soft on the inside. This worked out well since it was still not soggy after leaving it for a while when I finished it up later that day. Some of the rolls I've had at Cabra had way too much bread and not enough fillings so it was good to see that Hong Ha ensures that the fillings were balanced out. Along with the thin slices of pork meat and the generous amount of fillings (including pickled carrot, onion, coriander, cucumber and soy sauce), there was a decent serving of mayo an pâté which was definitely the highlight for me. Plus the soy sauce did not overpower the flavour which can be the case for many pork rolls I've tried in the past. I also asked for the optional chilli but it ended up being too spicy for me after multiple bites.


Chicken Roll ($5.00)

Sorry about the photo. Was so hungry when I got my hands on this roll that I forgot to take a proper pic. The chicken roll that I tried later was also good as well especially after hearing the hype from other foodies (apart from V who wasn't a fan). The combined use of shredded boiled and cooked chicken packed into the bread roll stood out from the other chicken rolls that I've tried elsewhere. While I personally prefer the pork roll in terms of taste and flavour, the chicken roll at Hong Ha is certainly a winner so far. 



Is Hong Ha the best Vietnamese pork/chicken roll shop in Sydney? Well it really depends on what you prefer. Personally I think Hong Ha is as good as Marrickville Pork Roll but (gasp) I also found it to be better than most of the ones I've had in Cabramatta - mainly for the generous fillings and that freshly baked and crusty bread (though Vinata and KK Bakery remain as my local faves). On the other hand, it was also slightly pricier than the local Cabra pork roll shop (some of my friends are still reminiscing the days when those rolls only cost $2). If I live closer to Mascot, I can definitely see myself as a regular here whenever I get my pork roll cravings. And Hong Ha sells spring rolls too if they floats your boat.


Hong Ha
1151 Botany Road, Mascot NSW 2020
(02) 9667 2069
Mon-Sun: 6:00am - 4:30pm
Hong Ha on Urbanspoon

Thursday, September 4, 2014

Chi and Co, Canley Heights


I remember going to Canley Heights for temp work a few years ago when Holy Basil just opened. The restaurant life was mostly your old school Vietnamese eateries and there was barely any other options when you weren't in the mood for Viet food back then (surprising right?). How times have changed! Now there are so many late night restaurants in Canley Heights where you can decide whether you want a bowl of pho, fried ice cream or waffles for dessert, or a degustation of Asian-inspired tapas! With the addition of the modern Asian restaurant 'Chi and Co', it's one step closer to bringing out the "Surry Hills" foodie melting pot into South West Sydney.



I purchased a voucher to try a 6-course meal for two at $39 where I get to have a taste at a selection of dishes from Chi and Co's expansive menu. The dishes were inspired from different Asian cultures (Vietnamese, Thai, Laos, Malaysian) but with a modern kick. Some of the dishes were a bit similar to the ones I've noticed at Chin Chin in Melbourne, which is good if the lines were too much hassle for you. 


Berry Rose Cake ($16.00)

Although the drinks weren't complimentary, we were so thirsty after a long day out. I was instantly attracted to the Berry Rose Cake cocktail, which was described on the menu as a "Black Star Pastry-inspired cocktail". This was no surprise since it contains strawberries, watermelon, vodka, strawberry liquer and finished with a rose foam on top. It was quite sweet but not overwhelmingly. The vodka didn't taste strong either which is good for a chilled and relaxing night. And it really does feel like drinking BSP's signature strawberry and watermelon cake hehehe.


Mocktail ($9.00)

While I couldn't remember the name of this mocktail, it looked very appealing especially with the abundance of strawberries and lychees clouding around inside the drink. 


Chicken Lettuce Delight ($11.00)

The dishes arrived to our table very quickly especially the entrees that arrived at the same time. The first dish I tried was the chicken lettuce delight, which was basically a san choy bao consisting of lup cheong, mushrooms, water chestnuts and crispy glass noodles. The lettuce and the glass noodles delivered a nice crunch to the fillings. While the overall flavour wasn't as flavoursome as I preferred (it was CC's fave dish though), it ended up being a relief since most of the other dishes were quite spicy. 


Pulled Beef Sliders ($9.00)

The pulled beef sliders (pulled beef rib, steamed bun with mint and house pickles) was actually one of my favourite dishes out of the six courses. The steamed bun was soft and fluffy while the pulled beef was very delicious and tender. Did not expect this to come from a beef rib at all but it's very succulent. Pricey though considering the serving size. 


Son in Law Eggs with house XO sauce ($7.90)

The son in law eggs was the dish I was looking forward to trying from Chi and Co the most out of all the other dishes. The yolk and filling was well cooked with the sambal and XO sauce placed on top. CC wasn't a fan because of the spices and the strong flavours but I enjoyed this dish because of the unusual ingredients, the runny egg yolk and the crisp and fried outer casing of the egg.


Smoked Trout on Betal Leaf ($8.40)

This may look like a simple dish but the smoked trout on betal leaf was another flavour kicker from the shredded trout pieces to the roasted chilli and galangal. Especially when you eat the whole dish in one go. While the roasted chilli wasn't spicy, it was still loads of excitement to your taste buds. Again, it is pricey given the size of the dish but I am still keen to try the spanner crab version on my next visit.  


Shaken Beef ($23.80)

Our main dishes arrived starting with the Shaken Beef. Between two people, the serving was a tad smaller than we expected but decent enough for our stomachs with all the other courses we've had. The tender beef scotch fillet cubes were seasoned with aromatic garlic and pepper sauce to give off that caramelised and tangy flavour kick. Reminded us of our own families' version of Bo Luc Lac at home and this version is certainly very delicious.


Fried Salmon Salad ($20.80)

We also got the fried salmon salad for our main dishes, which was equally delicious. This consists of chunks of fried salmon fillet with green papaya, Vietnamese mint and garlic. The papaya salad was made Vietnamese style so it's milder than the Thai version. The salmon fillets were well cooked and juicy with a crisp exterior but the biggest hit of this dish has gotta be the crispy salmon skin. It was so crunchy that it was harder for us to share this between two people. Goes really well with the fresh, sour and tangy papaya salad too.


Stir-fried greens ($8.00)

We also received a plate of stir-fried greens and steamed rice along with the main plates. The stir fried greens consists of broccoli, snow peas and bok choy. It was a nice change from the other flavour-intensive dishes though it again it felt very similar to the one that mum cooks up at home. Still liked the flavour and texture of this classic dish.


Steamed rice ($4.50)

I haven't eaten steamed white rice as much these days but I enjoyed Chi and Co's version especially with its fluffy yet firm texture. Great to have with the Shaken Beef.


Kaffir Lime Brulee with Coconut Sorbet ($11.90)

The Kaffir lime brulee caught my eye immediately since I haven't had creme brulee for a long time. The brulee topping was a bit too thick so it was initially harder (but hey at least it wasn't too thin :p) to crack but it was nonetheless a lovely dish especially with the smooth custard the overall light flavour. I would say that this brulee is good to have on its own. Was getting full by this point so I didn't have much of the coconut sorbet - though it did felt heavy and dense when I had a few bites. It was also cold that evening so I could imagine this would be lovely to have on a warm day.


Panna Cotta with Mixed Berry Compote and Honeycomb ($11.90)

The panna cotta was creamy but the mixed berries were too sour for CC's liking. Surprisingly, the honeycomb ended up balancing the overall taste of this dish. 



Since we only need to pay $39 for a 6 course meal for two people, this was actually a bargain compared to paying the full prices from the A La Carte menu. Considering the serving size, the prices are expensive especially with all the cheaper options in the area that will get you full instantly. However, I was pleased with the dishes they offered as well as the friendly service. And it's good to see a slice of Surry Hills in Canley Heights with its chic and funky layout, atmosphere, and the modern approach to classic Asian dishes. While it isn't a restaurant I would return to very often, it is a good local place for a special occasion with a group of friends especially with the attentive service and atmosphere.

Chi and Co
Shop 3, 264 Canley Vale Road (entrance on Derby Street)
Canley Heights NSW 2166
(02) 9727 2068
http://www.chiandco.com.au/
Tue-Thurs: 5:00pm - 10:00pm
Fri-Sat: 12:00pm - 3:00pm, 5:00pm - 11:00pm
Sun: 12:00pm - 3:00pm, 5:00pm - 10:00pm
Chi and Co. (Chi Chi) on Urbanspoon

Thursday, May 1, 2014

Pho Toan Thang, Flemington


A while ago, I took my friend to Pho Tau Bay in Cabramatta not long after it was awarded the Best Pho in Sydney. My friend thought that it was OK but admitted that the pho at Flemington was much better in her opinion. At first I found this hard to believe because I couldn't imagine Flemington to have the same Vietnamese community vibe like Cabramatta, Canley, Bankstown and Marrickville in terms of its cuisine. After researching the restaurants on Urbanspoon it turns out that Flemington does have a generous selection of Vietnamese restaurants. While my friend was unable to recall the name, I figured she was referring to Pho Toan Thang. This appeared to be one of the more prominent Vietnamese restaurants in this quiet suburb (except when the markets are on) with loads of people queueing outside this small, hole in the wall restaurant. Time to find out!



On the day, there actually wasn't any queue and the restaurant was very quiet probably because I was there very early before 6:00pm (or late for Cabra restaurants) or the weather was a bit too warm for pho. For some reason I was hungry so early and craving for pho so I was glad that there were no lines. It did get busier later on though with the restaurant getting packed and noisy but still no queue by the time I left (probably much busier at lunch though). Service was quick, no fuss and sharp just like the usual Asian restaurants and the decor had that old school charm without any necessary glamour. And that's how I like it.


Soya Bean Milk (I think the price was around $3.00 but don't quote me on it)

Aside from the usual complimentary tea, I also got the usual glass of soy bean milk. Quite cool, refreshing and not too milky though it was a struggle to finish once you  start digging into the massive bowl of pho.


Rare Beef Rice Noodle Soup ($9.00)

While some pho restaurants offer small, medium or large bowls, at Pho Toan Thang there is only one size available. At $9.00 for a bowl of pho that I believed was a large size, it's definitely good value for money with generous servings that will get you full fast. The broth was very dark yet still clear to see the slippery, thick-sliced noodles. While it was flavoursome, I still had to rely on the lemon and loads of Vietnamese mint and basil from the complimentary platter. Also the beef wasn't as soft and fall-apart as I would usually prefer but it was still tasty and juicy that I was able to polish it off along with most of the noodles. 



The service was very fast so I can imagine the queues moving fairly quick compared to many other busy restaurants. With most main dishes priced around $9.00-$12.00, this was one of the more cheaper Vietnamese restaurants that I've been to. It's even cheaper than some of the restaurants in Cabramatta! Felt so full and satisfied by the end thanks to the generous portions. At this stage, I wouldn't immediately consider this as the best pho in Sydney (yet) until a few more visits are made. With the weather getting cooler each day, I can imagine coming back here again soon to try the other dishes for a warm comfort meal after work especially the crispy chicken with tomato sauce rice dish. Should be interesting to see how it compares to Tan Viet's version.



NOTE: Pho Toan Thang accepts cash only and there's no ATMs in the area at all so make sure you get cash out before heading to Flemington. 

Pho Toan Thang
Shop 9, 95 The Crescent, Flemington NSW 2140
(02) 9674 3687
9:00am - 8:00pm
Pho Toan Thang on Urbanspoon

Monday, February 3, 2014

Yulli's, Surry Hills

Several friends have asked if I should do a section for vegetarians in each blog post which includes any suitable dishes they should try at a non-veg eatery. Due to my love of meat, this has been tough. One restaurant that I've been keen to go for a while and would certainly recommend to my vegetarian/friends is Yulli's in Surry Hills. There's something about it that makes you initially believe that it's just another Modern Australian, organic-food friendly Surry Hills restaurant until you paid attention to the menu and realise "hey where's the meat?". This was what happened when I stepped inside Yulli's a few years ago. Back then I was in my polenta phase so I was craving over a pan-fried polenta dish. It was until after I left feeling completely satisfied that I realised that it was vegetarian. And I really enjoyed it. 


Since then, I have been trying to go back but it's always completely packed out. Even on a Tuesday evening at 7:00pm. At the rear end of the restaurant, there is also an outdoor area which is not as noisy or busy as the front. Quite relaxing although it's still fairly busy since the service staff had to run around everywhere. 

Poire Cider - Small Acres Cyder from Orange NSW : fruity and sparkly ($8.80)

The massive salt and pepper tofu triangles were yummy with its crispy batter and soft and fluffy interior. Despite the inclusion of salt and pepper, we thought it wasn't as seasoned as we expected. Probably a good thing if you are trying to eat less salt and pepper. The papaya salad was more Vietnamese inspired as it was much less spicier than the Thai version. We absolutely loved the fresh, sweet and zesty flavours in the whole salad as well as the crunch in the crushed peanuts and the shredded carrots and papara. 


Salt and Pepper Tofu with Green Papaya and Peanut Salad ($16.50)

I wasn't planning on ordering the haloumi dish but after hearing the recommendations from the service staff, we went along - it's a vegetarian restaurant after all. Now the photo below does not do this dish justice. CC is a big haloumi fan and she was disappointed by some versions of this dish in the past. Until now. She took only one bite and went into haloumi heaven - it's like having foodgasm actually. I tried it as well and thought it was really good too. Wasn't very salty and the squeaky texture was just right. In addition, the beer batter gave the haloumi a light crunch. It was also delivered with a pomegranate salad and lemon wedge for some added flavour once the cheesiness takes over the palates. Maybe it was the beer batter that got us nuts about it but CC literally fell in love with this dish.

Beer Battered Haloumi with Pomegranate Salsa and Lemon Wedge ($13.50)

I really enjoyed trying the steamed leek and ginger dumplings. The nicely shredded filling gave it a fairly strong flavour but it didn't matter since I got quite addicted to this. Really liked the dumpling skin which had a bitey texture and matched well with the well-cooked filling. The plum sauce was lovely to have for a bit of tanginess. Also great with soy sauce too (like always :p).

Steamed Leek and Ginger Dumplings ($12.50)

In a continuation with the Asian-Vegetarian fusion, we also tried out the edamame and coconut money bags. These were crispy and moreish thanks to the thin pastry and the rich filling. The inside filling was very crumbly and sweet though I personally thought that the coconut flavour and texture was quite strong. The pineapple sweet chilli sauce actually gave it a more savoury taste which was nice.
  

Edamame and Coconut Money Bags with Pineapple Sweet Chilli Sauce ($12.50)

Initially we were planning to get our usual round of Gelato Messina since it's a few blocks away. When looking at the desserts, we remembered the heavenly sticky date pudding at Jones the Grocer and immediately had cravings. Unfortunately this wasn't the case. The pudding was richer and the coconut ice cream melted way too quickly. It didn't have that soft or moist texture that made us loved it so much at JTG. I think it's because it's catering for the vegetarian/vegan market so the cakes will most likely be flourless hence the different taste that we're familiar with. 

Sticky Date and Pecan Pudding ($11.50)

Apart from the ice cream, CC and I almost couldn't tell which dessert belong to us. Seriously it looked sooo similar! I was very surprised at how big the chocolate brownie turned out to be. It wasn't bad but it didn't impress us too much either. While it was soft, the texture was also quite heavy and the cake was stuck to my teeth very easily. It was complemented with the strawberry ice cream which tasted quite nice and not too rich though it also melted too quickly.

Double Chocolate Brownie with Strawberry Ice Cream ($11.50)

Despite the crazy, hipster vibe, the service remained polite, attentive and they're not afraid to let you know if you have over-ordered. While it may not be exclusively vegan, you can request the staff to make it vegan or order from a separate menu. The dishes took a while to get out of the kitchen. This is a good thing as it lets your stomach settle down rather than dealing with too many dishes on your table at the same time. A major bonus is that the prices are quite affordable with every menu item listed under $20 - the most expensive being $18.50 for the mains. Since everything is made to share, you can try as much as you want and still not do too much wallet damage. Even though we ordered 4 entrees, we were surprised at how full we were. Will definitely be going back to try more savoury dishes from the entree and main menu (very keen for the zucchini flowers, rice paper rolls and crispy quinoa cakes) as they were very satisfying for us meat eaters. 

Yulli's
417 Crown Street, Surry Hills NSW 2010
(02) 9319 6609
http://yullis.com.au/
Mon-Wed: 5pm - late
Thurs-Sun: 11:30am - late
Yulli's on Urbanspoon

Monday, January 20, 2014

Pho Viet, Cabramatta

One thing that I love about Cabramatta is the many gastronomical options whenever you are in need of a good and cheap feed that will surely fill you up. On the other hand, the one thing that I don't like about Cabramatta is how early they tend to close with most restaurants shutting its doors at 6pm or 7pm. Pho Viet is one of those few restaurants that actually close at 9pm in this part of town and very close to the station. It has been around for at least 30 years and the decor remains mostly the same as it was when it first opened. And that's the way the locals like it.



We all have our favourite pho restaurant whether it's Pho Tau Bay, Pho An, PHD or one of the Vietnamese restaurants in Flemington (been getting recommendations from mates to try the pho there). Pho Viet is actually Luke Nguyen's (Red Lantern, various SBS cooking and travel shows) favourite pho restaurant, which hasn't really been a secret. Surely if a well-known TV chef praised the pho at this restaurant higher than the usual faves then it must be really really good right?


Complimentary lemon, bean sprouts and Vietnamese basil

At $10 for a small bowl of hearty rare beef noodle soup, this will get you full as you dig into the meal. The thin slices of rare beef were plentiful while the silky noodles appeared to be thinner than many pho establishments I've experienced. Depending on your preference, a squeeze of lemon and a handful of leaves and bean sprouts adds a bit of flavour and texture. I've noticed that the broth had a stronger soy sauce flavour thus it tasted quite salty (and I usually do not add any soy sauce to my pho when dining out). Still I managed to polish up the bowl which is always a good sign.  


Pho Tai - small ($10.00)

Recently, I returned back after being intrigued about Pho Viet's signature dish according to Good Food Month's Cabramatta Signature Dish flyer and even on the signage at the front. Surprisingly enough, this isn't pho dac biet or any other pho dish. It's actually the Prawn, Crab Meat and Pork with Handmade Noodle Soup (Mi Quang). I fall weak over the sight of hand made noodles and crab meat on the menu so this is perfect for me. At $12.00, this was an amazing dish that I wouldn't mind coming back for. The handmade noodles were flat and thick with a bitey texture. The broth was spicy with a touch of peanut and a generous amount of pork and crab meat for a well-balanced and mouth-watering bowl to enjoy. 
 

Mi Quang ($12.00)

Like the pho, you also get a complimentary plate of various condiments including bean sprouts, lemon and lettuce. Ended up making good use of the crunchy lettuce for some much needed greens in my diet. There was even a complimentary prawn cracker to scoop from the bowl. It wasn't as crunchy but still satisfying.


Complimentary Prawn Cracker


Complimentary lettuce, bean sprouts and lemon

The service experience was fast and furious with no fuss or nonsense, which is what we expect for most restaurants in the area. There are plenty of other authentic Vietnamese dishes to enjoy including bun bo hue, hu tieu, various rice dishes and even bull's penis. Not joking there guys - it really does exist as a dish here. Wouldn't mind coming back here to make the most of their evening trading hours whenever I have a craving for the Mi Quang dish. With most (if not all) dishes priced at less than $15, your hunger will be satisfied with huge servings that will fill you up no matter what you order.



Pho Viet
11-15 John Street, Cabramatta NSW 2166
(02) 9728 6657
Mon-Sun: 8:00am - 9:00pm
Pho Viet Restaurant on Urbanspoon

Friday, January 3, 2014

The Argyle, The Rocks


I remember visiting The Argyle a few times over the last couple of years for birthdays, graduations and other gatherings. When it comes to food back then, there was the pub grub and then it went through a Spanish tapas phase. This has changed in November when The Argyle hired former Red Lantern's Michael Nguyen and Sake Restaurant's Shaun Presland to take over the reigns of the kitchen to create a Modern Asian-influenced menu full of hawker-style eats including dumplings, gyozas, salads and a few well-known classics including the salt and pepper squid and the peking duck pancake. They even got ex-Shady Pines Saloon's Daniel Mussen to look after the drinks menu. Sounds pretty awesome eh?


While most of the furniture inside the Argyle remained the same there was a spot close to the counter near the front that changed to an Asian-inspired decor with Chinese symbol signage, cutlery, lanterns and seating.


The reinvented Argyle menu actually creates a modern, contemporary twist on the dumplings and gyoza flavours. There are quite a few spicy steamed dumplings especially the firecracker prawn which packs a punch to your taste buds. You can be surprised and curious by some of the flavours in the Gyoza menu such as the cheeseburger gyoza and the Nutella rocky road gyoza for dessert. Perfect hangover food after a crazy night of drinking and dancing.  

The Argyle Menu

Complimentary Fortune Cookies

With its red, thin pastry, you would have expected a spicy hit in these seemingly innocent dumplings. At first taste, you don't feel the spiciness but it does hit your taste buds eventually and quite drastically too. 

Firecracker Prawn Dumplings ($8.00 for 4) - Hot stuff!

The cheeseburger gyoza screams dude food. Given the setting, I can imagine this to be a hit for those heading to the Argyle at night. With its fillings consisting of beef, onions, cheddar, ketchup and mustard; it does taste like an actual cheeseburger with an Asian-fusion touch. Quite sneaky actually since I had no idea about this dish when I grabbed a piece. 


Cheeseburger Gyoza ($9.00 for 5)

So sorry about the photo below. By the time I got a pic, everybody around me grabbed a piece. Could have been worse. When glancing at the menu you would think that a Peking Duck pancake or a BB Pork Belly pancake would actually be in a thin pancake. The Argyle's version decides to use a fluffy lotus bun instead of a pancake. While it can be confusing to call it a peking duck bun or a pork belly bun, it was addictive and delicious. Wouldn't mind getting a few more of them if I get the chance.


BBQ Pork Belly 'Pancake' ($15.00 for 3)

BBQ Pork Belly


If gyozas or dumplings do not tickle your fancy, The Argyle also offers a range of salads on the menu. The prices ranged between $10-$13 but the servings appeared to be a bit more decent. Great to have on a Summer day while chilling out at the Courtyard.


Crispy Pork and Papaya Salad ($12.00)

I loved eating vermicelli-wrapped spring rolls for yum cha. These versions are perfect for the strict non-seafood eating vegetarians and they are really tasty for the meat lover like myself. It was crunchy and messy to handle and loved the sweet chilli sauce on the side. 


Vegetable Spring Roll ($6.00 for 4)

For those who have a sweet tooth, the Nutella Rocky Road Gyoza sounds too good to resist. Very sweet and messy to eat but it was a treat in testing your tastebuds with something you don't usually see in other restaurants. 


Nutella Rocky Road Gyoza ($7.00)

There were plenty of drinks that kept everyone entertained throughout the night including more than a few glasses of champagne and a refreshingly sweet cocktail that seems to be a hit with all the patrons. While most cocktails were priced between $17-$18.50 max, it was interesting to note that the Bonsai juice was only $12.00! Plus it's really cool and sweet to drink.


Bonsai Juice - Belvedere Vodka, Apple, Mint, Coriander ($12.00)


Loved the Chinese Lion Dance entertaining us throughout the evening as part of the launch.





By this point of the night, I was still hungry yet the drinks keep showing up. Yes I was quite tipsy! Curious at how the xiao long bao dumplings compared, I knew I had to order these morsels. The dumpling pastry wasn't as thick as Din Tai Fung's though it still has that slippery texture. The pork inside was also pretty tender with a bit of soup inside. There was also (what I believed to be) vinegar and ginger on the side that you would expect with this dish. I gobbled these up instantly without much thought.


Xiao Long Bao ($8.00 for 4)

The prices aren't too bad considering it is a bar and restaurant in The Rocks area with the most expensive dish on the food menu listed at $15.00. If you want to try lots of dishes, I would recommend bringing a few friends to share the plates. Overall I was pretty satisfied with the menu changes, layout and the hawker-esque food that The Argyle now serves. Wouldn't mind coming back for a quick lunch, work drinks or a chill out session with the friends at this venue one day.



Disclaimer: The Random Foodie dined at The Argyle Launch Night as a guest of The Cru Media and The Argyle. The Random Foodie also ordered and paid for the XLB dumplings independently. Opinions remain personal. 

NB: Please also note that the prices listed on this blog were valid at the time of the launch. The prices have since changed as of mid-December according to the Argyle website.

The Argyle
18 Argyle Street, The Rocks NSW 2000
(02) 9247 5500
http://www.theargylerocks.com/
Mon-Sun: 11:00am - late
The Argyle on Urbanspoon