El Jannah Punchbowl

Punchbowl is a fun suburb to explore – tucked away but filled with delicious delights. One of these is my all-time favourite chicken shop El Jannah.  They do in fact have multiple stores, but this is my closest and weekly haunt. There is always a huge crowd here, but don't be deterred! Service is always extremely quick and its worth waiting for!

Garlic plate $3

The staple you must must have is the garlic dip. This hands down the best garlic dip in Sydney. And $3 gets you more dip than you can eat by yourself. It's amazing. And possibly even more amazing when you smother their chips in it.

Quarter chicken with garlic, pickles and bread, $6.90

Their chicken is also fantastic - one of the first things you will notice when ordering is just how many chickens they have cooking and how fast they vanish! Their chicken meals are fantastic value for money. When $6.90 gets you a full meal of bread, chicken, garlic dip and pickles, you just can't say no to that. 

Chicken roll $7.90

Lastly is my standard weekly order - the chicken roll (and request fresh breast meat with it.. makes it even better!). This is basically everything you see on the chicken meal above wrapped up with some lettuce into a roll. It's a little piece of garlicky heaven!


El Jannah
Punchbowl
701 Punchbowl Road
Punchbowl NSW 2196
Phone:(02) 9759 2999

http://eljannah.com.au/

Opening Hours

Mon - Sat 10am till Midnight

Sunday 10am till 11pm

Burger co. By Kingston

 

Hurstville Westfield has undergone some renovations, and apart from making the center look much nicer, they have also opened a new outdoor dining area that has some excellent eating options. Not everything is open yet, but it's looking good with restaurants like Din Tai Fung and Oliver Brown. There is even a pop up of N2 open at the moment. The first place to try for us was BurgerCo by Kingston. It is your typical American burger menu, but totally affordable and very delicious. 

Sriracha on each table? Heck yeah!

The American Classic - $10

We had the American Classic burger, which is what I think to be  kick-butt cheese burger filled with pickles, mustard and ketchup. So fat and juicy!

Poutine - $10

I have a serious addition to hot chips of any kind, so Poutine was a must. This was a really dark flavoured gravy with melted cheese over chunky cut chips. This was very rich, but oh so good in the messiest delicious kind of way. 

Onion Rings - $7

The onion rings were the winner of the few things we tried. For your money you get a giant box of them and they are so crispy and not at all oily (which I find onion rings can be on occasions).

Although the area is filled with restaurants, and new options are always good, particularly a good burger place! If you happen to be in Hurstville Westfield, be sure to take a trip to the roof to check out this new eating area.

BurgerCo by Kingston

Pavillion B, Level 4

Westfield

3 Cross st, Hurstville

Phone: 0488 055 081

Opening Hours
Same as Westfield, check at https://www.westfield.com.au/hurstville

https://www.facebook.com/burgercobykingston/

Organic Foodies Market Peakhurst

Every last Friday of the month there is a market held in the grounds of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church. I have to admit that I feel like a bit of an idiot that I never knew this market existed until recently! There are loads of stands that sell everything food related with lovely fresh produce and interesting cuisines to enjoy. On the day I went it was raining and cool, but that didn't stop anyone from having a good time. As I went by myself I didn't try as much as I would have liked to, but took plenty of pictures so you can get a feel for how diverse this market it (and I only had my old iPhone so sorry for the quality of images!)

 

So much fruit!

Paella? Don't mind if I do!

Indian or Greek? There are so many cuisines to choose from!

Great selection of fresh produce

Mmmm lamb!

Latin Street Food

Although I didn't buy much, what I did get needs a special shout out. Arepa Street Latin street food had these most amazing sliders (arepas). This is shredded beef, fried plantains and queso fresco on a cornmeal bread. So good and worth coming down just to chow down on these babies!

I will have to go back at the end of this month and try out some more options, but I totally recommend a visit. It is great to have a market like this in the local area!

Foodies Street Markets

825 Forest Rd.

Peakhurst NSW

Opening Hours

Last Friday of each month
3pm - 9pm

http://www.organicfoodies.com.au/

Din Tai Fung Miranda

I realise that Din Tai Fung is turning in a chain all over Sydney, so this will hardly set the world on fire, but at the end of the day they still make some mean dumplings. Their latest incarnation is in Miranda Westfield, but as the shopping center is newly renovated, it is part of a new fancy restaurant area that is centered around a pretty outdoor area and also has a Gelato Messina for all your dessert needs. I went here with my Sister’s family as she had never eaten at any Din Tai Fung before and that was something we needed to change!

The first thing you notice is that the interior is very different to their main store in World Square – it has more of a hipster family-friendly vibe to it. We went here early on a Friday night and had booked as a precaution, but it wouldn’t have been necessarily – there were plenty of empty tables. Also a nice change as I’ve spent literally hours waiting for a seat in the city!

Kung Pao Chicken with Cashew Nut - $16.80

First up- Kung Pao Chicken.  Crispy, a little sweet and delicious! Although this place may be known for its dumplings, they make a great main dish!

Black Pepper Beef - $22.80

Beef with Black Pepper is a dish my husband always orders wherever he goes, and this one is his favorite so far. It’s peppery but without that real strong holy-crap-I-need-water kick some places have. My only reservation is why it is so much more than their other mains?

Cha Jiang Noodle with Minced Pork - $13.80

Every time I go here I always get the Cha Jiang Noodles - I have a real soft spot for them. The noodles are just so soft and are covered in a spicy mince and spring onion. It's a good hearty filler to add to all the dumplings!

Spinach with Garlic - $13.80

Spinach and garlic is exactly that - spinach and garlic. Always need a side of veggies though! As much as I wish I could eat 100% dumplings everyday, I don't think my body would be too happy!

Dumpling Gems (7 pcs) - $15.80

This was by far the most entertaining dish of the whole meal. Very Willy Wonka. Each of these Dumpling gems are naturally colored and each one is a crazy flavour.  Emerald (Salad Green), Topaz (Golden Corn), Pink Diamond (Seafood), Ruby (Bolognaise), Sapphire (Garlic Pork), Onyx (BBQ Pork), Citrine (Cheese).  They tasted about as crazy as they sound - a total novelty, but fun!

Steamed Pork Dumpling (Xiao Long Bao) 8pce - $12.80

For me the Xiao Long Bao is the whole reason I love to go to Din Tai Fung over any other dumpling restaurant. They have such a thin skin and the broth inside is insanely delicious. You haven't has soup dumplings until you've tried these!

Pork Bun - $3 per pce

Lastly is the steamed Pork Buns. These were pillowy and soft but for me they were no better than the frozen ones I buy - tasty but to be honest you're better getting more soupy dumpling goodness for your money!

Overall, this branch is easily as good as their flagship in the CBD - so save yourself a trip and get yourself some excellent dumplings without the travel!

Din Tai Fung

WESTFIELD SHOPPING CENTRE
Level 2, KINGSWAY RESTAURANT PRECINCT
600 Kingsway
Miranda, NSW, 2228
PH: (02) 9524 1177

Opening Hours

Lunch
Mon-Fri: 11:00am - 2:30pm

Dinner
Mon-Wed: 5:00pm - 8:30pm
Thu-Fri: 5:00pm - 9:30pm
Saturday: 11:00am - 9:30pm
Sunday: 11:00am - 8:30pm

Canton Noodle House Hurstville

I have been going to this restaurant for years. And when I saw years I mean I was going there when I was in school, and I'm hardly a spring chicken! It is a bit rough, don't expect fine dining - you will get given chipped bowls and have to climb over bags of rice to get to the bathroom, but the food is just so addictive and is almost an institution in the area. It is always busy, I have never ever seen it empty, and at dinner time on a weekend, expect to be waiting outside for a table to be free. I’ve cycled through most on the menu, but this evening we stuck to our tried and tested favorites.

Steam Dim Sim - $6.5

The steamed Dim Sims are fat, soft and tasty. They come covered in a light soy sauce. You get 6pces per serving – which should be plenty for 2 people, but we always end up squabbling over them because they’re just so yum.

BBQ Pork in Honey Sauce - $14.80

The BBQ Pork in Honey Sauce is always a staple. You get a generous serving of Char Sui pork that is quite tender and not much gristle served that’s covered in a sticky sweet honey sauce on bed of fried noodles. It’s a classic that I just can’t say no to!

Braised Chicken with Cashew Nut and Celery - $13.8

My favorite isn’t actually a dish on the menu. When you go there you will notice that the walls are covered in special dishes – mostly written in Chinese. This is one of those dishes. Braised Chicken with Cashew Nut and Celery. This is the perfect balance of soft slightly sweet chicken and crunchy celery pieces, spring onions, carrots and mushrooms all covered with a tonne of cashew nuts. It has a very nice light flavor – although I do like to eat it with rice that has been smothered in soy sauce. On a side note – I LOVE that they give you pretty much bottomless rice with your meals. I have a pet peeve with places that you order rice with and you get the tiniest bowl of rice that just isn’t even going to be enough.

Overall, this may not be the fanciest of food, and it is a little more pricey than other restaurants in the area, but it’s always consistently good. There is a reason it’s one of the few restaurants that has been in the area for decades!

Canton Noodle House

206 Forest Road, 

Hurstville, Sydney, NSW

Phone: 02 95800588

Opening Hours

Monday – Sunday: 10:30am – 9:30pm

Eat GRK Beverly Hills

In the middle of Beverly Hills, on King Georges Rd. comes this new shining beacon of deliciousness. I and my husband have been regulars here ever since it opened – to the stage where all the staff knows our names and probably more about my life than some of my facebook friends do.  And it’s not just because of the reasonable price, the easy parking or how darn close it is to home – it’s good. Like really good. 

Even though it is on one of the most frustratingly busy roads that ever existed, when you enter this little restaurant it feels like you are in a little piece of Greece.  It has a large outdoor area (which thankfully is well heated this time of year) which is very prettily decorated.  It also has a nice glassed in area where you order – which can be good as there can sometimes be quite a queue to order, although they always get through the orders very quickly!

Rows of delicious Greek Salad - $6 or part of the plate meals

Dancing Zorba Wrap - $9.50

The menu features all the items you would expect – gyros, plates, haloumi, chips, loukoumades and Greek coffee.  We have eaten our way through most of the menu, but that standout favourite is the Dancing Zorba – it is filled with generous amounts of souvla lamb cooked on the spit, creamy feta sauce, olive spread and salad. It is just so very delicious.

Haloumi Cheese - $3

For a bargain you need to also get a serving of haloumi (or 3 in our case), fat slices cooked on the grill with lemon. For $3 for 2 you can’t go past it! 

H.O.T Sampler - $15

If you’re after a meal to pick at, the H.O.T sampler is also great. You get a good range of haloumi, olives, dips and pita. The pita is always so soft and fluffy it’s nice to enjoy as a main part of a meal, and the creamy feta dip is amazing. In fact whatever you order, do yourself a favour and get a side of the creamy feta. You can thank me later.

As they are open Tuesday to Sunday right through to 10pm, you really have no excuse not to try this gem.

Eat GRK.

437-441 King Georges Road,

Beverly Hills NSW

Phone: 02 8041 7047

Opening Hours
Tuesday – Sunday:  12pm - 10pm

http://www.eatgrk.com.au/

Rokko Japanese BBQ Hurstville

It feels like every day at the moment there is a new restaurant popping up on Forrest Road in Hurstville. The latest, Rokko Japanese BBQ, only opened it’s doors a couple of weeks ago and has been drawing some big crowds. Having recently come back from a trip to Japan, I’m always keen to fill the void for amazing Japanese food, so of course I had to try it.

I got to the restaurant 6:30pm, and it was already pretty packed, we ended getting seated on the same table as another group, but with our own hotplate. By the time we left there was quite a queue waiting in line – so I suggest get there early if you plan to go before the new hype dies down!

The cute obligatory Tanuki statue

The menu is quite broad consisting of a large range of meats and veggies for the BBQ (including Wagyu beef cuts, various parts of chicken, pork and duck), as well as your typical Japanese dishes (like Chicken Katsu $12.8, Teriyaki Salon $13.8, Agadashi Tofu $6.8) and even a couple of Japanese/Korean style dishes (Korean Style-Chawanmushi $8.8, Stone Pot Yukke Bibimbab w/ soup $15.8).

Chicken with Spring Onion

Of course we have to try the BBQ, so we opt for the Waygu Beef rib ($12.8), Chicken with Spring Onion and Mixed Vegetables($12.8). You get an alright about of meat for your money. You also get a little pot of dipping sauces each that consist of a Ponzu and Sesame oil. The chicken had a slightly sweet flavour to it was really quite delicious. The beef wasn’t a particularly lean cut, which we knew when we ordered it, so it didn’t quite have the melt-in-the-mouth that you get with really expensive Wagyu, but it was still very delicious.

Wagyu Beef Rib - $12.8

Mixed Vegetables - $12.8

The Mixed Vegetables were a nice mix of 3 different kinds of mushroom, pumpkin, corn, onion and eggplant. This was the perfect amount for 2 people.

We also got some Teriyaki Chicken ($11.8) to try as a side, it was very stick and sweet and totally amazingly delicious. We also got a bowl of rice ($2) each, which might not be totally traditional to have with BBQ, but good to fill up on.

Chicken Teriyaki - $11.8

Overall I really liked this place, and although it is slightly more expensive than some of restaurants on the strip, I know I will be coming back regularly. 

Rokko Japanese BBQ

342 Forest Rd, Hurstville NSW 2220

Ph: 02 8541 5542

Monday - Sunday: 5:30pm - 10pm