Two Sticks - Yunnan China - Haymarket - Sydney, Australia

Two Sticks - Yunnan China

Why has it been so cold these past few weeks? We've been fairly lucky with many days of clear skies and warm temperatures last month so I guess I shouldn't be complaining. I can't wait till Spring kicks in as the days will get warmer.

On an awfully cold night, having soup is the perfect dish to heat up the body.

Two Sticks Restaurant is located on busy George St, close to the World Square shopping centre. With its central location and affordable menu, it's destined to be popular. They specialise in Yunnan cuisine, an area far south-west of China.

On a Friday night there is a queue but that's predicted.  The turnover is fast as diners eat and then go.

From the outside, the restaurant looks quite spacious but upon entry, there are many tables and chairs which have been tightly packed together in a small narrow enclosure. We find ourselves cramped, with lack of leg room and space between us and the tables next to us. It's loud, noisy and chatty, and that's what I like about it. Though, you may find yourself having to raise your voice for your dining companions to hear.

Its modern looking wooden interior has hues of yellow and black, and is positively a stark contrast to the typical Chinese restaurants.

There is a variety of items on offer including appetisers, mains and desserts. Their mini-pot noodle soups are what most diners are here for. The appetisers are aplenty and we find ourselves having to limit our order as they all sound delicious.

'White Cut Chicken ($4.80)' is poached chicken served with ginger shallot oil and sesame. Surprisingly, it came out warm just like how we would have liked it to be. I loved the addition of the ginger on top and it tasted very much like the shallot oil sauce you would get at a Cantonese BBQ store. The chicken was wonderfully tender and velvety smooth.

The 'Fried Chicken Wings - Spicy ($3.80)' aren't your typical chicken wings. It's coated in a Danshan chilli powder and then fried to a crispy, golden colour giving it a nice crunch and juicy insides.

The 'Dried Fried Beef Jerky - Spicy ($4.80)' is unfortunately over fried leaving it extremely dry, tough and hard to bite. The chilli's were extremely spicy so eat with caution.

'Yunnan Signature Rice Noodle Soup ($11.80)' or as they call it 'Crossing the Bridge Noodles', is as the name suggests, their signature dish. On most tables, we witness at least one of those pots, so it's got to be good right? It's like a mini version of the hot pot where items are added separately.

The wait staff bring out a tray containing a number of items including the ceramic pot with soup, bowl of noodles with beansprouts and shredded bean curd, quail egg, meat plate consisting of paper thin raw chicken and pork, and a side of condiments. The meat and egg is quickly added by the staff into the steaming pot of soup to cook for two minutes.

Then the rest is left to your discretion on what and how much you want to add. There goes the springy noodles, pickles, chilli and coriander.

I love how the noodles are ultra smooth making it easy to slurp with the tasty soup broth that's light and not too heavy on the palate.

If you're after an authentic, satisfying and quick meal, then this is the place to go. Not only are the prices affordable but the portions are decent.

It's been a rather busy month for me and I'll be jetting off to Singapore again and Vietnam at the end of this month, so do wait for the travel posts once I get back. It's been over 12 years since I last went to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, and I hear it has changed drastically in terms of modernisation and growth. I can't wait to try the foods I've been craving for these many years such as the deliciously crispy banh mi's, broken rice with pork chops, Vietnamese coffee and the list goes on and on.

Where?
694 George St
Haymarket NSW 2000
Australia

Opening Hours
Open 7 Days a Week
11:30am - 11:00pm

Website
https://www.facebook.com/Twosticksaustralia

Hadongkwan (하동관) - Myeongdong - Seoul, South Korea.

Hadongkwan (하동관)

It's been 5 months since we went overseas to Seoul, Korea and I can't believe how fast time has gone by this year. I do miss the country but I definitely don't miss the cold weather. This is the final post of what we ate in Korea prior to hopping on the plane and departing for good old Sydney.

On our last day in Seoul we had the chance to have breakfast before heading off to the airport for an afternoon flight. One place that stood out was a traditional restaurant called Hadongkwan. It's been mentioned and recommended in a number of guide books and if you type it in Google there will be pages of results. It's that popular. Most eateries are closed in the early morning but this restaurant opens at 7:30am, catering for those wanting to have breakfast early.

Hadongkwan is located on one of the busy streets in Myeongdong, so it's relatively easy to find and navigate to. They have been in operation for over 70 years with a long history behind their success, making them well known among the locals. They are famous for their 'Beef Stew (Gomtang)', made with natural ingredients and no artificial flavours. You can choose to have the regular Gomtang or the special Gomtang which comes with tripe.

They've kept to their roots and it's simple looking inside.  It let's off that homey feel, though the room is dimly lit.

We have the 'Gomtang (10,000 KRW)' without the addition of tripe, served in a brass bowl. Very odd but hey it's different. The dish is actually dull looking without the addition of the condiments but it packs a whole lot of flavour. There are essentially three components which make up this dish including the soup, rice and beef slices. It's basically a beef soup with rice and reminds me of the Teochew congee.

The homemade broth is thin and watery, but indeed rich in flavour and clear of any unpleasant fattiness and odours. I found it to be quite bland but adding a bit of salt to season solved that problem. The beef slices were amazingly tender. I quite enjoyed the dish.

On each table there is big bowl of chopped spring onions and salt which is self-serve. You can add to your heart's content.

Then the mandatory kimchi is served.

Barely tea is also served to cleanse the palate.

Gomtang is great for those who want to have a light meal as it's not very filling.  I do recommend going early before the lunch time rush as it gets extremely busy but the turnover is very fast as diners usually eat and leave straight after. They usually sell out before their closing time of 4:30pm.

Annyong Hee Kye Seyo Korea! Till next time :)

Where?
10-4 Myeong-dong 1-ga, 
Jung-gu, 100-021
Seoul, 
Korea

Phone no: +82 2 776 5656

Opening Hours
7:00am - 4:30pm
Closed 1st and 3rd Sundays

Website
www.hadongkwan.com

Ah Yip Herbal Soup - Kuala Lumpur - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Ah Yip Herbal Soup

After staying in Europe for over a month, I was lacking the essential vitamins and minerals due to the minimal fruits and vegetables I was eating. I was craving for my mum's Chinese soups that she made at home weekly. I'm a big fan of Chinese soups and just love how tasty and nutritious they are. Chinese soup is known to be part of the Cantonese dining culture in which some families have these soups daily.

Herbal soups are made from a combination of several herbs and boiled with a meat. It is best known for preventing sickness, promoting good health and boost ones general well being.

After touching down in Malaysia, my first lunch was from 'Ah Yip Herbal Soup' located within the Food Republic Food Court in the Pavilion Shopping Centre. They are popular amongst the locals with 11 outlets in Malaysia and 1 in Singapore at present. If you read my previous post on Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, then you may have seen that I had this on my stopover to Europe.

Chinese herbal soups are not only wholesome and hearty but also nutritious, tasty and delicious. Best had in the winter month as it keeps you warm and is the ultimate comfort food. I like to have herbal soups in all seasons, in both hot and cold weather.

My all time favourite soup would have to be lotus root soup. I went with the 'Dried Squid with Lotus Root Soup Set (RM12.80)' which  includes a steaming bowl of home made soup served with steamed rice, vegetables and black fungus chicken. This is eaten with the fresh chili dipping sauce which is a must have accompaniment.

Comfort food at its best.

There are plenty of soups to choose from and the options are a plenty depending on what you like to eat and how adventurous you are.

Where?
Pavilion Shopping Centre
Food Republic Food Court
Lot K1.24.01,
Level 1 Pavilion,
Kuala Lumpur

Phone no: 018 638 2122

Opening Hours
7 Days a Week
10am - 10pm

Website
www.ahyipherbalsoup.com