4 Venues Where Food is Good for the Soul!

We all crave a certain comfort food when we are feeling down, under the weather or just looking for a pick-me-up. It is soul food that provides a nostalgic or sentimental value and is quite often characterised by its high-caloric nature and association with childhood or home cooking.

Ultimate Aussie soul food choices include everyone’s fave butter chicken, pizza, chicken parmigiana, barbequed snags, lamingtons, a burger with the lot and the humble meat pie…here are four venues to get a soul food fix:

From Malaysia’s spice to China’s glow, you’ll find it on the plate at Hawkers Wok on Darlinghurst Road in Potts Point. Located in Kings Cross Centre and delivering the authentic vibrancy of East Asian cuisine playfully fused with a Western twist, expect a dining experience like no other as you are met at the door by mascot Hokkie.

 

From a menu celebrating the diversity of East Asian culinary offerings that tantalise taste buds from lip-smacking laksa to delicious dumplings, each dish is a testament to a commitment to flavour and innovation. Start with salt and pepper chicken wings or fried spicy pork dumplings, before sizzling plates of black pepper beef, or satay chicken with sides of steamed rice and stir-fried seasonal vegetables.

Authentic Thai fare and fresh produce are what you’ll find on the plate at Khon Thai on Dawn Fraser Avenue at Sydney Olympic Park. This modern, light-filled restaurant rocks a vibe of subway tiles, glowing Edison bulb lighting and dark wood table settings indoors, while the alfresco area is the place to be on balmy days, people-watching with a glass of wine.

Entrées such as deep-fried salt and pepper crab and sweet chilli sauce never disappoint, or satay chicken tenderloins with peanut sauce; move onto mains of honey lemon duck on a bed of steamed mixed vegetables with jasmine rice. Perhaps massaman beef curry with coconut milk, potato, cashews, tamarind and palm sugar hits the mark, or chicken pad Thai with rice noodles stir-fried with peanuts, bean sprouts, garlic chives, tofu and egg.

Pizzas made with love await hungry Newborough foodies at Monash Road Pizza. From traditional to gourmet and slab pizzas, along with parmas, wings, ribs, pasta and sides, there is something to tempt all tastes at this locally loved restaurant where there is always service with a smile.

 

Pick up slices such as chicken Royal with onion, cheese, sweet chilli sauce and capsicum, or prawns, garlic sauce, cheese and oregano; perhaps finger-lickin’ good pork ribs hit the mark, with sides of wedges and garlic bread, while pasta lovers twirl a fork around fettuccine carbonara with bacon, garlic, onion, cream, Parmesan and egg. For lasagne with a twist, try the Mexican made with taco mince and cheese, or devour an outback chicken schnitzel with ham, cheese, bacon, egg and gravy.

There’s more than just steaming bowls of Vietnamese pho on offer at Café Saba on The Parade in Norwood. Nestled in the Parade Pavilion, this family-run café is the ideal spot for a catchup with friends, quick lunch away from the office, or a relaxing dinner with a glass of wine in hand. A leafy alfresco courtyard beckons on balmy days, or dine indoors surrounded by high tables and black stools, matte grey walls adorned with traditional artwork and hanging red lanterns.

 

With more than 60 dishes on the menu, there’s a plate to tempt all tastes - perhaps start with prawn dumplings or a lemongrass chicken bahn mi; while pho lovers enjoy spicy noodle soup with pork, rare beef and brisket. Move on to mains of fillet steak wok tossed in BBQ sauce with seasonal vegetables and steamed rice.