Let’s be honest, Asian food can sometimes be a bit unusual and kooky to the uninitiated. From chicken feet to pork intestines to marinated eel to salmon eggs – it can be a bit intimidating to grab your chopsticks and just dig in. But we always say: Don’t knock it ‘til you’ve tried it! So if you’re an adventurous soul who wants to take a gastronomic plunge, then make sure you put these ten dishes on your foodie bucket list. Come on, you only live once!
If you haven’t tried an abalone, then make sure you put Sunnybank’s Golden Lane on your go-to list. The restaurant serves up the sea snail with a delicate and delicious oyster sauce. And why is abalone one of the most expensive foods in the world? It’s not only delicious but very rare. This isn’t a dish, it’s an experience.
Golden Lane
Yes, cheese. On tea. To many, the combination of tea and cheese sounds downright unappetising. But, as any cheese tea purveyor will tell you, cheese tea tastes better than it sounds. Think green or oolong tea topped with a layer of a sweet, salty and creamy cheesecake foam. If you haven’t tried this foodie craze yet, you’re missing out. The folk at the cute and colourful Song Tea cafe make a variety of cheese teas. You should absolutely order their Japanese green cheese tea – one sip and you’ll be in love.
We are a little surprised when someone tells us they have never ordered a whole fish (yes, head, tail and all). So if that’s you, get to Sunnybank stat! We suggest heading to Sunny Park’s Parkland and choosing their whole fish from the menu. Ordering a whole fish is considered in Chinese culture as receiving good luck and fortune. One of our faves at Parkland Restaurant is their steamed whole coral trout with ginger and shallots. We will let you in on a little secret – if you’re not eating the eyeballs, you’re missing the tastiest part of the fish. You can thank us later.
Parkland
They may make you squirm but chicken feet are considered delicious by millions around the world. So what’s stopping you from trying it?
Yum Cha mainstay Landmark serves Chicken Feet and Pork Ribs and we think they’re delicious. The chicken feet are braised, which creates fabulous texture and sweet and salty flavour.
Landmark
Ever had a sweet cake topped with salty pork? All we can say is that it’s a game changer! Head to Sunnybank’s Ying Cha NO.9 and order their taro mochi cake, which is a handmade sponge cake that’s injected with sweet taro cream and covered with a salty and fluffy pork floss and seaweed. Like all good Asian desserts, the balance of salty and sweet flavours is perfected.
Fish eggs (or fish roe) is a delicacy that’s a must for all foodies to at least try once in their lifetime. Sunny Park’s Japanese hotspot Hana Zushi puts these delicious little morsels in their ship sushi and the result is glorious. The naturally red-orange eggs have a mild smoky or salty taste, with a note of sweetness and an especially popping and crunchy texture.
Hana Zushi
Tripe is a very popular ingredient in a lot of different dishes across Asia – so if you’ve never tried it, now is the time! Visit Sunnybank’s Zen Corner and order their hot and spicy intestines noodle soup and delve into this delicacy. Chefs fill a huge bowl with a steaming pork broth and hot chilli oil and top with rice noodles, thinly sliced pork intestines, coriander, shallots and thinly sliced egg. The intestines are surprisingly tender and very tasty.
Zen Corner
These days you’ll find raw salmon in dishes across Brisbane, but have you ever tasted raw barramundi? Head to Sushi Edo at Sunnybank Plaza and get the sushi chefs to create their barramundi nigiri for you. Your plate will feature a thinly-sliced drapery of raw barramundi fish, laid over a cluster of sweet and salty vinegared rice. The roll is chilled, and the smooth taste of the fish combines with the sticky and tangy flavour of the rice to create superb texture.
Sushi Edo
Hailing from Japan, marinated eel is a super popular dish that’s a must for those wanting to explore new textures and flavours. Known as comfort food for the Japanese, eel (or Unagi) is typically grilled and eaten on a bowl of warm rice. Head to Sunnybank’s Japanese haunt Udonya Tokoton and order their una-gyu don, which is a bowl of steamed rice topped with traditional Japanese marinated eel and slices of beef. The pieces of tender eel are combined with a mildly sweet Japanese sauce that is specifically used with eel and is very authentic in taste.
Udonya Tokoton
Want to try the hot-numbing zing of Sichuan broth? Then get your chopsticks into a bowl of maocai. Tucked away in Sunnybank Plaza’s food court, Sichuan eatery 3 Kingdoms creates maocai – a punchy soup that is stewed with dozens of rare spices and a hearty stock. Order the beef, lamb, chicken or fish maocai, or go for the classic option which is 3 Kingdoms’s signature maocai. The signature dish is made with a combination of fresh beef, fish, coriander, meat balls, sausage, seafood stick as well as different types of veggies, plus steamed rice. A concentration of beef, chicken and pork bones, the maocai broth features 30 different spices and is simmered daily for 8 to 10 hours.
3 KingdomsPrepare to delight your tastebuds with all the flavours of Asia. With over 60 dining and entertainment options, Sunnybank Plaza and Sunny Park are an authentic Asian food experience like no other.
You’ll find an extensive choice of dining options including Chinese, Hong Kong style, Taiwanese, Vietnamese, Korean, and Japanese cuisines.
