Eat it up: China Town

Last weekend was the first beautiful warm summer-like weekend of spring. It was exactly warm enough to go without a jacket, but not so hot that I became a sweaty pig beast. So Joel and I took a field trip to China Town for a project we’re working on. And I pretended I was a photographer behind Joel, who actually is a photographer. Ok, I was really just there for the food, because China Town has some of the best eats in Sydney. So let’s begin!

Friday night noodle markets! So much dim sum and booths selling everything you can think of.

Fun fact: the Ceremonial Gate was dedicated in 1980 to officially declare the China Town area.

This guy is here every night, spreading the good word of Jesus by hula hooping and decorating people with leis.

We happened upon the YouTube Fan Fest red carpet. The only name I recognized from the marquee was Jenna Marbles, and that was only because Cara mentioned to me earlier that day that Jenna was in town. I'm clueless when it comes to YouTube. — We happened upon the YouTube Fan Fest red carpet. The only name I recognized from the marquee was Jenna Marbles, and that was only because Cara mentioned to me earlier that day that Jenna was in town. I’m clueless when it comes to YouTube.

The entrance to Kimber Lane, with the "Between Two Worlds" installation peeking out. — The entrance to Kimber Lane, with the “Between Two Worlds” installation peeking out.

"Between Two Worlds" - representing the path between our world and the spirit world. I want some of these spirit creatures for our apartment. — “Between Two Worlds” – representing the path between our world and the spirit world. I want some of these spirit creatures for our apartment.

Char Kway Teow - noodles with eggs, prawns, cockles, Chinese sausage and fresh bean sprouts. And enough spices to clear your sinuses for days. So good. — For dinner, we decided on Malaysian street food at Hawker. First up: Char Kway Teow – noodles with eggs, prawns, cockles, Chinese sausage and fresh bean sprouts. And enough spices to clear your sinuses for days. So good.

ice milk tea and our platter of Lor Bak - five-spice pork rolls, prawn cakes and fried tofu. I never knew how good fried tofu could be. — ice milk tea and our platter of Lor Bak – five-spice pork rolls, prawn cakes and fried tofu. I never knew how good fried tofu could be. I thought tofu was for hip, early 90’s yuppies. But deep fry it and it’s good enough for chubby 30 something admins as well.

Siu Yuk - roasted pork belly with 5 spice rub and crispy crackling. This is what my roasted pork belly was supposed to look like. Whoops! Melt in your mouth pork, and crunchy crackling, with a perfect cucumber and rice complement. Textures forever. — Siu Yuk – roasted pork belly with 5 spice rub and crispy crackling. This is what my roasted pork belly was supposed to look like. Whoops! Melt in your mouth pork, and crunchy crackling, with a perfect cucumber and rice complement. Textures forever.

After dinner, we rolled ourselves home, catching a glimpse of a meth head shouting at cops as we walked to the bus (dinner and a show!). And on Saturday morning, we returned to see more. We walked to the Chinese Garden of Friendship, and almost went in, but it was the first warm, beautiful day of spring and that meant the Garden was a tourist trap. No thanks.

Fun fact: I took a photo here in 2012

Then we stood in line for about 20 minutes to get the infamous Emperors Cream Puffs – fresh, hot (like scalding hot), bite sized puff pastry filled with vanilla custard for $.35 each. They’re served from a tiny window, and you’d walk right past it if there wasn’t a giant line (but there’s always a line), they only take cash, and you’re not allowed to take photos of the Tim Burton like machine that fills the puff pastry tins and takes them through the fryer. I’d wait in line any day to get these babies. And I see why people by 20 at a time.

We walked around Market City and Paddy’s Markets, a huge flea market style set up in a large brick warehouse. They sell everything from $1 underwear to knock off Michael Kohrs bags to fresh produce and seafood.

Paddys_markets_sydney — This is from the internets – I didn’t take one of Market City. Plus there’s a lot of construction happening around it now, so it wasn’t very photogenic. /excuses

Actually, I didn't get any photos of Market City because I was in a food coma from Pepper Lunch and it's chicken curry delish. The food is served in a super hot skillet and continues to cook while you eat. So, so, good. — Then there was food coma from Pepper Lunch and it’s chicken curry delish. The food is served in a super hot skillet and continues to cook while you eat. So, so, good.

But after all that lunching and all that walking around, we got to the real reason why I love China Town: N2 Extreme Gelato. It’s not nearly as good as Gelato Messina, but it’s a lot more fun.

11061279_899002736857835_8904724121284589781_n — Simpsons on your menu board? TAKE MY MONEY

Saturday’s adventure was vanilla bean gelato with white chocolate fudge chunks, almonds, coconut shavings, and a syringe of white chocolate sauce.

I'd do it all over again. — I’d do it all over again.

And then I got home and passed out in a diabetic stupor for the next few hours. /champion

So there you have it, Audrey Eats Her Way Through China Town. I love it. Next time, we’ll have to do some actual shopping and maybe hit up a sketchy karaoke bar. It’s a fun area, and as I always forget, super close to our neighborhood. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go run about 600 miles I didn’t run last weekend to work off the 16,000 calories I consumed in that 24 hour period. Or maybe I’ll just think about running 600 miles. I might just order some pork belly instead. mmmm…

One thought on “Eat it up: China Town”

Kim says:

September 22, 2015 at 1:37 am

Yummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm! !!

Share this:

Like this:

Related

One thought on “Eat it up: China Town”

Leave a Reply Cancel reply