Eveleigh Farmers' Market, Sydney

Going here is a great way to spend your Saturday morning, for sure.

Cutest sales boy ever

And you'll going home with no empty stomach, I can assure you that.

Eveleigh Farmers' Market is there to brighten your Saturday morning. Only a few mins walk from Redfern Station, it's a place to have a great eye (and belly) feast. I was told that all of the veggies, fruits, and food are organic, i.e. don't involve synthetic pesticides and chemical fertilizers in their producing methods.

The place is big, accommodating number of interesting stands which I had to look one by one. The best part is that most of them have sampler food. Oh, don't we love sampler? That is why I am telling you that you won't leave the place with empty stomach. A lot of the food has also won Sydney Royal Fine Food medals, which makes them even more interesting. The medals must mean something, right?

It is also great that all of the people, especially the ones tending there food stands are very friendly and accommodating of a food blogger. One lady even gave me her business card to notice her if I have made a post about the market as soon as I mentioned that I am a food blogger. Too bad I lost it.

The fresh, organic products

Organic veggies and fruits

I won't say much, let's just let the photos talk. The veggies and fruits are organic, so yes there's an impact to the price tags.

BTW I had my first taste of figs there. Since then, at least a packet of figs is always available in the fridge. It's soft but slightly crunchy and incredibly sweet. Love it.

Figs (buah ara)

Strawberries

Prickly pears

Assorted mushrooms

I really really wanna try the pepe saya butter! Next time I'll ask for a sample, definitely.

Dairy products

The savouries

Olive oil on bread samplers

Black truffle oil has a really strong yet so lovely taste. Such a one-of-a-kind really. I tried it the first time there and was immediately sold. But why are you so expensive?

Black truffle oil

Regarding to cheese, I had an unpleasant tasting of goat cheese. It tasted like glue (UHU glue to be exact), and I don't think I'll have it in my mouth ever again.

However, this lady is very lovely and offered us various samples of Binnorie Dairy cheese. My fav one is the Swiss.

Binnorie dairy products: (clockwise from top left) the stand, assorted cheese samplers, cutting cheddar (?), Camembert, Swiss, and cheddar package

Emilia Pasta was very popular, I noticed. No wonder, with such exceptional pasta and truffle cream! The pesto sauce is great, as well.

Emilia Pasta stand and products

Tony Bilson steak stand

Ding the Recipe stand

Porters Products sauces

The sweets

Natural sugarcane juice: pineapple, mint, cane juice frappe (med) $6

The pineapple, mint, and cane juice frappe is a very welcomed thirst quencher. It has great and refreshing flavour, and I am always a fan of sugar cane juice.

Yalla yoghurt is said to be the best yoghurt in Sydney, and I may have to agree. I tried the mango yoghurt and it's so yummy! Sweet and sour, without overwhelming milky taste.

Yalla yoghurt

Assorted jams and marmalades

Gumnut treats

This, my friends, is arrays of the awesomest brownies from Fare Gourmet. I regret it very much that I only bought one, I will make sure that I'll purchased at least three next time. Simply amazing.

Amazing brownies from Fare Gourmet

SWEETNESS the Patisserie offers treats as sweet as the name. I believe that they have won Sydney Royal Fine Food medals for some of their products, but the mallows are the ones I got my attention on. It is said to be the best marshmallows in Sydney, and I agree on that. They have this distinct fruity flavours which are different from any mallows I've ever had. Great ones.

SWEETNESS the Patisserie stand and products

Rhubarb crumble cakes

I was so intrigued by Pat and Stick ice cream sandwich, but we were saving room for a great lunch after the visit to the market. Next time!

Pat and Stick's ice cream sandwich stand

Again, the brownie is amazing. Best one I've had. Gonna buy some more soon.

Purchased: whoppie pie & sweet mixed mallows from Sweetness the Patisserie and awesome brownie from Fare Gourmet

The 'whoppie pie' I purchased from SWEETNESS the Patisserie is different. A whoppie pie is supposed to involve two chocolate cake or soft biscuits and vanilla cream in between. This one has two fluffy white mallows sandwiching a thin layer of dark chocolate. While I love the dessicated coconut, this one's a bit too sweet for me.

The 'whoppie pie'

I may miss Sydney Royal Easter Show this year, but Eveleigh Market has successfully induce the same level of excitement for me. Big thanks again for Stephanie who introduced me to this awesome spot. Definitely going back for more sampler!

Address:


EVELEIGH FARMERS' MARKET

Every Saturday 8am-1pm

243 Wilson Street

Darlington, NSW 2008
(nearby the corner of Codrington Street)

Thanh Tam Restaurant, Cabramatta - Sydney

I don't usually eat something heavy for breakfast.

Bamboo steamers

But, if it is yum cha, God help me if I say no.

So thanks to the aunt, the three of us went to Cabramatta for yum cha breakfast. I have never been there before, but she said it's the best one in Cabramatta. That must mean something if the aunt says that, you know.

Thanh Tam restaurant is located on the first floor of a big building just across Hughes St. parking lot. Frankly, I didn't suspect any activity in that building before I saw a huge banner of the yum cha restaurant. The building itself looks dead.

Thanh Tam restaurant, Cabramatta

It is a modern-looking restaurant. The place is super spacious with heaps of tables and seatings. I think they'll easily cater for a wedding in this place. The chairs are cushioned, and everything looks neat and oriental, if you may say. It was early, so only 1/3 of the place is occupied. It is said that they always have long queues during peak hours, though.

Interior

The food price, unfortunately, cannot be provided for each item. I didn't pay much attention when the trolley ladies circled my table's order list so I don't know which one's which. I do have the bill though, and here's what I can understand from the minimal-in-words bill:

Small (S) : $3.50
Medium-small (MS) : $4.50
Medium (M) : $12
Large (L) : $13.20
Special (SP) : $14

Moving on to the food, shall we?

Cheung fan with prawns (steamed rice-flour sheets with prawns) is slippery, and the prawn are the plumpest type. The warm, dark sauce is very flavorsome, and I happily use the sauce to dip the other dim sims in.

Cheung fan with prawns (steamed rice-flour sheets with prawns)

Pai gwut (steamed pork ribs with preserved soya bean) is a bit on the greasy side, but the pork ribs pieces are succulent and have delicious layer of fat. This one's a highlight for me.

Pai gwut (steamed pork rib with preserved soya bean)

Seafood siu may is another highlight. The parcels of prawns and fish are admirably succulent and full of flavour. The yellow pearls on top are fish eggs, and they create popping sensation in your mouth. Oh why thee so yummy.

Seafood siu mays

Other delicious items are also ordered, but they do not really stand out although being very fresh and lovely. The decision of ordering congee had backfired for me, because although it's quite tasty, it easily fills you up and I didn't enjoy the century eggs bits. The prawn wontons are crunchy and the prawn filling is generous and juicy. Har gao is great, the prawns are, again, big and sweet. Fung zao (chicken feet) kinda lacks of sauce, yet still very enjoyable.

Clockwise from top left: congee, prawn wontons, har gao, fung zao (chicken feet)

I was actually hoping that the aunt will order durian or mango pancakes for dessert, but she found tofu fa (beancurd jelly with sugar syrup) to be more belly-warming for yesterday's super windy weather. It is the first for me trying tofu fa, actually. The idea to eat tofu-jelly with gingerly syrup sounded terrible for me at first, but I actually enjoyed the bowl. The plain beancurd pudding is silky smooth, and the syrup makes a perfect accompaniment. It's sweet, gingerly, and warm.

Tofu fa

Overall, that was a great breakfast. I only wish I had more room for more items. Really, everytime I saw this trolley passed through me, I couldn't help but drooling and wishing I can have one plate of each.

Fried things trolley

On the other hand, it may be quite a challenge to ask the trolley ladies to explain what kind of dumplings are on the plate/steamer she is holding. I notice that most of the ladies do not speak much English and are only able to say simple explaining words like 'pork', 'rice', 'sweet', and 'seafood'. So yeah, the service can be a bit confusing. I, however, can be easily sold by the word 'pork'.

So are you okay with having heavy breakfast such as yum cha? Do share!

Currency: $1 = IDR 9,500


Rating: 3.5/5 (Really worth the try)
Great yum cha selections, reasonable price, nice and clean ambiance, service can be confusing and inconsistent.








Address:


THANH TAM RESTAURANT


46-24-32 Hughes Street
Cabramatta, NSW 2166


Phone: (02) 9723 7662

Souvenir Snacks from Japan

I mean, who doesn't love being given food souvenirs?

Japanese snacks

They always get me excited, frankly. And these ones are from Japan. Double excitement.

So a dear cousin came back from Japan few weeks ago, and look at the stash he brought! So many packages, yet I do not understand anything except if there are English words on them. The only way is to taste them one by one, isn't it?

You see the curry block on the very left hand side? I've seen such thing in many anime episodes and manga. Looks really good, can't wait to use it to make a curry. I'll make a post about it I promise!

My favourite of all is the almond crush Pocky. It's kinda obvious though, given that I can eat so many packages of Pocky in one sitting. This one is even nicer than the original one. Loving the addition of the almond, this one's a gem!

Pocky almond crush

Now, I have seen people go gaga about this green tea KitKat. Well, I don't really enjoy eating something green tea flavoured, so this one isn't a favourite of mine. It's creamy, less sweet compared to the normal one, has great ratio of chocolate and wafer, but the green tea flavour is too strong for me. I'm sure anyone who's fond of green tea stuff will like this. And yes, I don't try the other green tea biscuits which is pictured on the background.

KitKat green tea, background: green tea biscuits

The cheese almond is nice with cheese icing and whole almond on top of crunchy biscuits, great to nibble on.

Cheese almond

Didn't try the one with blue packaging, so I can't tell what is that. It looks like some kind of cheese flavoured snack though. Anyone have tried this one before? Do tell.

The one in yellow packaging is like rice crackers with soya bean. It's salty, and I have always love crunchy soya beans.

Soya bean crackers and cheese pillows (?)

This one is hard to tell what it actually is, and the cousin said that he believed I will like it.

Red bean thingy

I do not know the actual name, but it's actually soft wafer enveloping red bean paste. It's really smooth but kinda lack of sweetness for me. The good thing is that you can really taste the red bean.

Red bean filling in soft wafer

By the time that I'm typing this post, most of the items are already gone. They're really good snack (except the green tea KitKat) I say.

Anyway I am sorry for the short post! I have been busy and there's so little time to do proper post. I hope this will do until I finally get the time to make a more interesting one. Cheers!

El Loco and Café Cre Asion, Sydney

I have never seen a restaurant so quirky.

Tacos from EL Loco

Since I first saw a review about the place, it has been on my to-go list. And thanks to Stephanie, the longing to give El Loco a try is accomplished.

EL Loco is a Mexican based restaurant, run by the infamous Dan Hong. Located in one of the hippest parts of the city, the colourful restaurant is hard to be missed.

El Loco, Surry Hills

They have both indoor and outdoor dining areas, along with small bar area. Although we dined outdoor that day, I couldn't help but to admire the uniqueness of the decor and setting inside. It does look like a cafeteria or 'cantina' for some extent, the walls are painted brightly with interesting decoration here and there. Colourful high stools accompany the high tables, and the kitchen is open so you can witness the food prep yourself.

The indoor dining setting and open kitchen

Do you notice that there are a lot of cactus on display? There's one on every table, the table number is also in cactus-shaped plank, the walls have cactus painting, and so on. The menu is simple and easy on the eye, but there's nothing simple about the flavour of the food here.

Clockwise from top left: menu, habanero sauces, mini cactus, table number

Corn chips with guacamole and salsa is ordered to be shared. That is obvious, as there are a lot of chips there. The guacamole is surprisingly very enjoyable for me, who isn't a fan of avocado, and the salsa provides lovely spicy kick. There are habanero and jalapeno sauces on the table for those who want extra heat.

Corn chips with guacamole and salsa - $5

The term 'colourful', which is applied on the restaurant's decoration, is also depicted on the food's flavour. Especially the tacos. With the price tag of $5 each, it is hard not to say one each, but we limited ourselves to have only 3 tacos that time.

Al Pastor taco (spit roasted pork and pineapple salsa) is my choice; it bursts with delicious flavour in the first bite and continues to the last. The pork is very tender, and I love all the fresh herbs (coriander, cabbage, and spring onions) in it.

Al Pastor taco - $5

Stephanie's Carne Asada taco (lemongrass beef, salsa verde) looks as tempting as it sounds, but I didn't get a bite. I am sure that it's as good as mine.

Carne Asada taco - $5

"I won't tell you, you have to order it to know what the secret taco is", said the cheeky waitress to us when we asked about the secret taco. The secret taco has various ingredients that changes everyday, and we will never know what we'll get until it actually arrives on the table.

That day's secret taco hit the table with glorious smell. It looked intriguing, and soon we found out that it's actually fried (?) black pudding with guacamole-like sauce and crackling on top. It was the first time for me trying fried black pudding a.k.a blood pudding, and was very surprised that it's deliciously creamy inside and crunchy on the outside. No unpleasant smell present, and the herbs inject freshness. Love the crunchy crackling too!

Secret taco - $5

The El Hot Dog looks discriminating with its size. However, just by looking at the long Frankfurt and the white blanket of cheese makes me moan. It is, indeed, the best hot dog that I have tried so far. The bun in wonderfully soft, the Frankfurt is great paired with all the hot dog fixing: mayo, picco the gallo (salsa fresca), pickled jalapeno, and of course the divine grated cheese.

El Hot Dog - $9

Gotta tell you this warning, don't expect to be able to eat politely at El Loco. You need to use your hands, and enjoy all the messiness devouring the tacos and hot dog. It is a fun and kinda loco restaurant, with no doubt.

We were very full, but that didn't stop us from walking few blocks away to Café Cre Asion, where dainty arrays of macarons are in offer. We only got two that day, strawberry milk and Dear Chris. Both are so great, ones of the best macs I have ever had. While the strawberry milk has lighter yet lovely flavour, the Dear Chris is more preferred. It has similar taste like the Gaytime, which has become my favourite ice cream.

Strawberry milk and Dear Chris macarons - $3 each

I will definitely come back to Cre Asion, and will do a full post about it. Anyway, thanks heaps for Stephanie for being a food tour guide for a day, I really had a great time!

Currency: $1 = IDR 9,500


Rating (for El Loco): 4/5 (Recommended)
Great Mexican food (must-try tacos!), service is nice and friendly, ambiance is great, price is affordable (unless you go overboard with the tacos).







Address:


EL LOCO


64 Foveaux St
Surry Hills
Sydney, NSW 2010


Phone: (02) 9211 4945


Website: www.elloco.com.au







CAFE CRE ASION


21 Alberta St
Sydney, NSW 2000


Phone: 04 0494 1528


Website: www.creasionmacaron.com