February 2007 Archive

noodleoodle needs a local

February 28th, 2007

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I wish there was pho shop near where I lived. There is one Vietnamese joint on the main street. I went there about a while back, I asked for pho, and they gave me some concoction that’s basis was two minute noodles. I really don’t have a problem with two minute noodles, but I was disappointed. I’ll have to continue to go further afield for good soup. A Chinese shop has opened up around the corner. I will check it out. A bit of good suckling pork would not go astray!

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Char Siu Bao - Nam Loong

February 26th, 2007

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Yesterday I went to a little eatery on Russell street call Nam Loong. I’ve been going there as long as I remember for their Char Siu Bao - Chinese Steamed Pork Buns. These things really are just brilliant. $1.50 each to take away. I’ve never bought anything else. I usually buy three, which is to much. Remind me to only get two next time. It’s a really great stretch of street along there, and I enjoyed a stroll while eating.

When i was purchasing my buns, i noticed they had a few of those golden/plastic cats with waving hands on the counter. Our friend Caz, gave us one that is now sitting in the kitchen. It’s a bit crazy, scares me a bit … just keeps on waving … and waving …

Nam Loong - (03) 9663 4089 - 223 Russell Street Melbourne 3000

Posted in chinese | 5 responses »

Going down the Mekong

February 24th, 2007

 

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Mekong - (03) 9663 3288 - 241 Swanston St Melbourne 3000

For a while now I’ve been visiting Pho Bo Ga Mekong Vietnam on Swanston Street. It is always completely packed, which is a good sign I suppose. The pho is great. It comes in three sizes and many incarnations. The stock is extremely tasty and the ingredients are served generously.

I’ve been working my way through the different combinations. It’s like traversing the great river itself. A stand out was the Pho with beef and sausage. Which was completely unexpected. The sausage was more like a spiced rissole. I really enjoyed it and have never had anything like it before.

Soon I shall reach the end of the Mekong menu, which culminates in a soup called Ta Pin Lu, this consists of a combination of all the previous soups in one grand uber-soup. It includes bone marrow and tendon. I can’t wait.

Posted in Phở | One response »

I made Phat Kraphrao

February 22nd, 2007

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I gave Phat Kraphrao a shot. It’s a Thai dish of meat with basil. When I cooked it I used Calamari. You could use any meat. The recipe is from Austin Bush’s RealThai blog. He’s a great photographer/blogger and he’s recipes are really fantastic. All of the ingredients I bought from the Victoria Market. These ingredients aren’t difficult to get in Melbourne, but I have been disappointed in the past when Holy Basil was unavailable. I bought Calamari from Prosser’s, you pay a bit more there, but they do clean it for you.
Basically chuck everything in a wok and fry it quickly. The result is really tasty. I went for all the optional extras. I added some sugar and served the dish with a fried egg and some Prik naam plaa. My dinner companions were pleased. I’ll be adding this to my regular cooking list. Comfort food indeed!

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Pho Etiquette tip 1#

February 21st, 2007

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After placing salad into your bowl of Pho, make sure when your squeezing lemon, that you cover it with your free hand. I learned this lesson the hard way recently. On a packed lunch table, I squeezed lemon willy nilly. Not only did it cascade over the woman next to me, but burnt acid in my eyes. It caused a few very awkward moments of pain filled apology. I was never really forgiven for this faux pas. I spent the rest of the meal very self consciously trying to not slurp.

Posted in Phở | No responses »

First post

February 20th, 2007

illo001

Wow first post, lot of pressure. I hope I don’t make a spelling mistake. (guaranteed I will). I’ll keep it short …

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