I'm back! These two months have gone by very quickly and Christmas is just around the corner might I just add. Will be jetting off to China, specifically Shanghai and Beijing soon, so I hope to share some reviews in the coming months. I haven't been to either of those cities so I'm really looking forward to this trip.
Now that Daylight Savings has kicked in with the lovely Spring weather, hope you've all been getting out of the house and enjoying yourselves outdoors. I suddenly felt like eating chips, so here I am eating a bag of Calbee barbecue flavoured corn chips. Oh so tasty.
White Taro is a fusion Vietnamese cafe by day and restaurant by night serving South-East Asian inspired dishes. Located on the corner of Albion Street in the hip suburb of Surry Hills, it's a short walk from the train station and can be easily spotted. Having only been open for close to a year, it has generated quite an interest on social media. They've recently started dinner service, led by Angie Hong, the mother of top chef Dan Hong.
The interior is simple and cosy. There's is more seating at the back and in days of warmth and sunshine, it will be nice to sit at these tables basking in the sun.
Look at that crackling! 'Taro's Deconstructed Banh Mi ($19.00)' is not the usual banh mi you'll find at a Vietnamese bakery. They've added a modern spin to it and it is specially made with ingredients you wouldn't usually associate with a banh mi and DIY too. Crispy pork belly, pickles, kumquat butter, chicken orange pate and apple and date chutney, all beautifully presented on a wooden board with a freshly baked baguette. The combination of flavours worked well together.
'Chook in Broth ($15.00)' is deceptively big in size. The chicken is flamed grilled and placed on top of a bed of egg noodles with pickles, a gooey egg and mushrooms, in a light and hearty broth. The marinated chicken is wonderfully charred leaving it juicy and tender.
A side of 'Chips ($4.00)' is always a must. Unfortunately, I was down with the cold so my intake of hot chips was kept to a minimum. It could have been a bit crunchier but the side of aioli was a plus.
I ordered the 'Ice Coffee ($6.00)' for myself. I was asked whether I wanted it with ice-cream and I said just ice, much to my friend's disbelief. How could you have iced coffee without ice-cream? I succumbed to peer pressure and it tasted so good because of it, so lesson learnt, have it with ice-cream.
'Vietnamese Iced Coffee ($6.00)' is a much stronger version of the regular coffee. It packs a whole lot of punch and is traditionally made with condensed milk.
While prices are slightly higher than other cafes in the area, the food is worth a visit.
Where?
67 Albion Street
Surry Hills NSW 2010
Phone no: 02 9211 0108
Opening Hours
Monday - Closed
Tuesday - 7:00am to 4:00pm
Wednesday - Saturday: 7:00am to 10:00pm
Sunday: 7:00am to 4:00pm
Website
www.whitetaro.com.au