I was in the Cabramatta area since I first moved to Sydney (in 2002). Cabramatta has always been my absolute favourite place, while many trash it, I'm that voice in the group that praises it. The afternoon bustle and Vietnamese chatter walking down John Street is most nostalgic. I love the familiarity, and being in the area for so long, it hasn't been until now that I've visited other 'Asian' areas, that I realised what was so special about the area.

1. Arcade Takeaway Meals

I love walking down this specific arcade, to the right of Viet Hoa (the bakery open most hours of the day) on John St. Absolute eye candy. Selections of savory glutinous rice based goods such as Banh uot in many combinations (from $6.50) and, of course, my favourite (as per me, dancing with on my banner) Banh bot loc. They also sell Vietnamese Sweets, boxes of plain ol' Banh uot, and containers of Nuoc mam (fish sauce) to go with it. 

When I'm super lazy, I usually grab just a box of Banh uot from here (priced, depending on the amount, usually $5~7), a cylinder of Cha lua ($5~), Cucumbers and Beansprouts from a grocer and make it all at home. It's the best! The combination of Banh uot, Cha lua, Beansprouts and Cucumber, topped off with a generous heap of cold Nuoc mam, the perfect summertime treat, I'd say. 

I only ever like Holy Basil during the daytime. During the evening, it's way too crowded and even distressing for me to even look at. I short post for Holy Basil - the food is always great here! It's always busy and is higher priced than other Thai & Laos restaurants in the Fairfield Area. 

Holy Basil and Green Peppercorn are brother restaurants - so the prices are about the same, and the food is similiar, except that I find Holy Basil to be a tad better for some dishes.

This was one of the saddest meals I've ever had.

Many have commented that Hai Au Lang Nuong is the closest you can get to around here for good ol' Vietnamese cuisine. I'm not sure if it was because of my emotions that my tastebuds were out of place at the time, or if the food was just plain ol' average.

You can just skim through this post for the pictures, I wasn't in my photo-ready mood this night, so I can't recall the exact names of the dishes, prices and what were in it.

For Valentines Day, myself and three girlfriends went for dinner. I've passed by this place countless times since it opened more than six months ago and only now have stepped through it's doors. I've only heard that it was pretty average and didn't have some of the most valued dishes that people go to KBBQ for.

TK Something, is purely an all-you-can-eat, so there's really no other options. Just $29.50/pp.

Ages 4-12 are charged $14/pp and below 3 eat free... Drinks not included.

A month before this visit, my friends and I just finished off having Korean BBQ down at Tosung Firewood BBQ and ventured off for somewhere to chill. We sat in the toasty Sweet Memory on the high chairs by the window, it was interesting - a part cafe and part stationary shop! I was sick with an itchy throat, my mates asked if I wanted anything, I ran up to the cakes display and looked through them carefully. I saw the most beautiful cake, layered with so many flavours and coated in almonds, I love almonds! But my friends wouldn't let me order it because it was coated in almonds, which they said would only make my throat worse! Nothing else from the menu appealed to me, so I skipped around the store, which was filled with cute Korean stationary, checking the prices and continually being shocked, hehe.

A month later, I went for an impromptu catch up with a few friends. I got so excited when someone mentioned My Sweet Memory! Yessss! The Espresso cake!

I've been to Bau Truong numerous times to order the exact same dish. I've only ever tried it at one other place, but that only made me appreciate Bau Truong even more! Fresh herbs, noodles sticking how it should and freshly fried and grilled meat (oh, and with seven rice papers). Perfect!

So, this is the same dish I've ordered on two different occasions ☺.

Hot water ready for dipping :D