World Food Markets - New Farm

Last weekend, the World Food Festival was held just outside the Brisbane Powerhouse, at New Farm. It had actually spanned for two weeks, but I didn't know that it was on, until a colleague asked me whether I went yet. So on Saturday, I called up a friend, and off we went.

It was a cool day for summer, and we travelled to New Farm via City Cat, the breezes were very refreshing.

 

The Brisbane Powerhouse is a decommissioned power station, which has been renovated and is now used as an entertainment hub of sorts.

While the crowds were substantial, they were definitely less than the usual level you would find at the Eat Street Markets.

Whilst Eat Street Markets are generally populated by food stalls run from shipping containers, the World Food Markets have gathered a number of rather popular food trucks from Brisbane and brought them together for the two weeks that it runs for.

Our first stop was Char Baby, and whilst I was set on getting some beef, my associate decided that we ought to try something unique, which is why we ended up getting the duck special.

I have very mixed feelings about this dish. The pastry was really light and flaky, which I enjoyed very much, however the duck tasted a bit course and overcooked. My associate also commented that there may have been too much herbs and spices mixed into the duck, to the extent that it was very overbearing and overpowered the flavours of the duck. Aside from this, we found the sauce tangy and refreshing, and the peaches were quite sweet.

The next thing we ordered was actually the poutine from Little Back, however since there was a 30 minute wait for the chips, we moved onto other trucks.

When asked what I most wanted to try from the World Food Market, it wouldn't surprise anyone that I said 'Sushi Neko'. I had heard about this food truck from a number of people, but working in the CBD, I have been unable to catch them during normal working hours. 

Between the two of us, we ordered the Takoyaki, and the Salmon Bento.

I found the Takoyaki to be hot and fresh, with ample amounts of filling. I would have liked it more if it was more crispy and had more bonito flakes though.

The Salmon Bento contained two temari balls, and two hand rolls. Temari are 'thread balls', so in this instance it means ball shaped sushi, which is a variation on the usual nigiri sushi. In both the Termari Sushi, and the Hand Rolls, I found the Salmon to be fresh and yummy. The rice however, could do with a bit more seasoning. Using soy wraps instead of seaweed for the handrolls was an interesting little change, but for the two of us, it felt more like we were eating Vietnamese rice paper rolls than sushi. Other than that, the avocados were very fresh, and I particularly enjoyed the tobiko on top.

After we were done with the Japanese food, we got back in time for a fresh batch of poutine to come out!

There is no denying, I adore shoestring fries. I love them much more than the average thick cut chips. So whilst my friend was saying that she would rather thick cut chips, I ate away merrily. The pulled pork on top was very soft and juicy. It was particularly nice with the extra mayonnaise on top. Needless to say, this was the highlight of my night.

Another vendor which I was very keen on trying was the Bun Mobile as I've heard so many good things about it.

Between the two of us, we shared one Pork Bun (by that time, we were really quite full). Now to be honest, I was quite skeptical about the buns, because it appeared to me to be a sandwich made with 'Man Tau' (Chinese Steamed Buns), which I am very not used to. Being a firm traditionalist, it isnt usually the type of thing that I'd usually try, but after all my friends descriptions, I had to try.

The bun itself was exceptionally well done, it was soft and moist with the delicate sweet flavour that Chinese Buns have. The pork chop was nice, and the whole thing went really well with the hoi sin sauce and shallots.

We finished off the night with a refreshing lime berry cordial from Heet's n Shaved Ice. It could have been more icy, but nevertheless we liked it.

Sushi Edo - Newmarket

In my obsession with Japanese Food, I would say that within the category of sushi trains, there is certainly a lack of 'constant price' sushi trains. By this, I mean places where all plates on the sushi train are of the same price, whilst maintaining a good quality. (There are one or two other places which offer sushi for a constant price, that I have been to in Brisbane, but their quality is exceptionally bad).

Needless to say, when a friend suggested that Sushi Edo was the place I had been waiting for, I jumped at the option to go.

Being all excited, I forgot to take pictures of the surroundings, merely taking a few snaps of the plates before eating it. Some of the dishes I ordered include the following:

Salmon Avocado Handroll

Tobiko Ship

Aburi Salmon Hand Roll

Unagi Nigiri

Soft Shell Crab Hand Roll

Salmon Avocado Nigiri

Raw Beef Nigiri

Scallop Nigiri

Lotus Chips

When we arrived, there was quite a healthy line up outside the shop, which reassured us of the freshness of the sushi (due to customer turnover). For $3.50 per plate, I found it to be quite good value, although the portions provided were significantly less than the Sushi Train stores, even when they have their $3 specials. However with the exception of Sushi Train Anniversary sales, Sushi Edo is very good value.

Despite forgetting to take a photo of it, Sushi Edo also operates on a computer system in addition to their sushi train. The system is exactly the same as Wagaya, where you order food and chefs immediately make it for you. This also adds to their customer turnaround to make sure you eat quickly and leave quickly so that the next round of customers can be served. I really appreciate efficiency, and was quite impressed with this.

Overall, I really enjoyed going to Sushi Edo. Normally I would hold out for the Sushi Train anniversaries, but when I cannot wait Sushi Edo is a very good option.

Price Range: $3.50 per plate

Taste: 7/10
Value: 7/10
Service: 8/10
Environment: 7/10

Queensland Art Gallery Cafe - Southbank

One afternoon, whilst recovering from a nasty bout of the flu, a friend asked me to accompany her to the Queensland Museum to look at an exhibit with her. Whilst wandering around afterwards, I had realised that I forgot to bring a bottle of water with me. The nearest canteen style place sold bottled water for $4.50, needless to say, both my friend and myself were quite shocked at the price, so we decided to try our luck elsewhere. On our search for water, we ambled into the Queensland Art Gallery Cafe (where we found table water and desserts, just in time for afternoon tea).

My friend got this cake, which we believe to be a vanilla passion fruit mousse. It was fruity and soft on the inside, whilst crisp on the outside.

My main attraction of course, was the Tiramisu. For a commercial standard Tiramisu, I found it to be one of the better ones I've had, being well above the standard in its mascarpone and savoiardi biscuits, although it could have a stronger coffee flavour.

The both of us were really surprised with how nice the Queensland Art Gallery was, particularly its calming and relaxing ambiance. We will definitely be back, after I recover, for a full meal there.

Average Price: $15 - $20 per person

Taste: 7/10

Value: 6/10

Service: 7/10

Environment: 8/10

Mappen Menya - Sunnybank

Occasionally, friends and acquaintances will ask me where to get a quick and cheap Japanese meal in Sunnybank. Without a second thought, my answer is always Mappen Menya, which is situated on the outside of Sunnybank Plaza. Where else can you get a bowl of Udon in soup for $3.90?

The most striking thing about Mappen Menya is that despite being an indoors restaurant, it is designed to look like the outdoor night markets of Japan.

Upon entering the store, the first thing is to order the base dish (being noodles or rice), then pick from an assortment of fried things and other side dishes, before paying and finding a seat. Self serve water is also offered on the side.

This is the Curry Bowl and Mini Udon. I was pleasantly surprised at the generous size of the mini udon. Indeed, my friend who ordered this found the meal filling enough without getting any of the other sides.

This is the beef bowl with a side of tempura sausage, tempura fish cake, and tempura prawn. It's a very solid comfort food, and very filling for the price.

What I usually order, is the Kake Udon, with a side of Karage Chicken, Tempura Prawn and Takoyaki. In this instance, I also ordered a side of seaweed salad. What I enjoy about Mappen is that they are really good with their consistency, every time I go there, I am assured that I'll get the same great meal. The noodles are served in a clear light soup, which is a good balance to the heaviness of the fried foods. The Udon is also of high quality (i.e. no sour aftertaste).

Whilst I wouldn't go to Mappen every day, simply because I'd get bored of constantly eating fried foods, I do go here often and enjoy it very much.

Average Price: $5 - 10

Taste: 8/10 - Would be higher, but needs more variety of sides
Value: 9.5/10
Service: 6/10 - Servers are very friendly, but most of the facilities are on a self serve basis.
Environment: 8/10

Oshin - Brisbane CBD

Having been eating a number of Non Japanese foods lately, I had been craving Japanese food for a very long time. So one day during a particularly hard day at work, I just got up and walked to the nearest Japanese Restaurant to compensate myself.

I've actually wanted to go to Oshin for quite a long time. Being established for 20 years gives it a certain credibility for surviving so long despite being situated upstairs in an inconspicuous little building on Adelaide Street.

Arriving at 11.30, the shop was empty other than myself and a bunch of high schoolers going on an excursion. The restaurant itself was very quiet and calming, particularly after my stressful day.

I was promptly seated, and given a glass of water with a wedge of lemon.

The first to arrive was my Salmon Avocado Hand Roll. While I didn't walk into Oshin with much expectation, I was truly blown away by the quality of the Hand Roll. The Salmon was fresh, and the avocado was just the right level of ripeness. The seaweed was super fresh and very crispy, whilst the rice was warm and welcoming. But the thing that truly impressed me was the fact that unlike other Japanese restaurants, the toppings on the hand roll were present throughout the whole thing, right down to the tip. (Like my friend said "just like a cornetto" haha). Needless to say, I loved it!

The next thing to arrive was the Soft Shell Crab Hand Roll. I was a bit hesitant about ordering this, as usually soft shell crab is usually served with a slice of cucumber or avocado rather than alone. As with the Salmon Hand Roll, I loved the Soft Shell Crab. The batter was light and crispy, whilst the insides were still juicy. What I particularly liked as well, was the extra tobiko (flying fish roe), which gave it an extra dimension that avocado or cucumber is unable to provide. 

For a main, I ordered the Nabeyaki Udon 鍋焼きうどん. What is Nabeyaki Udon? It is a traditional Japanese dish that translates to "Udon Cooked in a Pot". Its a homey style comfort food, which is usually cooked in a very mild broth, with chicken, egg, seafood and vegetables. As a side to the dish, some vinegar fish was served first, which worked as a real appetite stimulant. What did also strike me though, was the difference in crockery, whilst some bowls were in the traditional Japanese style, some plates were basic white. I guess it goes to the fact that they aren't too concerned with the outward formalities, but more conscious of the substance of the food, something which I find quite admirable actually.

I was then provided with the optional extras, shallots and chilli pepper. I added the shallots, but left the chilli powder.

When my Nabeyaki Udon arrived, it was boiling! It continued boiling for well over one minute after being set in front of me. It contained Tempura Shrimp, Tempura Eggplant, Egg, Shittake Mushrooms, Chicken and various vegetables. The broth was light, and I could taste the multitude of ingredients used to cook it. The Udon was just the right texture, and I thoroughly enjoyed the dish (despite being scalded a few times).

One particular thing I do need to mention about the Udon specifically, was how well they did the egg. I'm very partial to eggs in noodles where the yolk remains runny. Having the pot boil for so long, I was pleasantly surprised to find the egg still runny in the centre. It goes to show how much detail and attention the chef gives to his work to achieve just the right consistency in the egg. 

In my time, I have watched numerous food shows and documentaries where the food has touched the eater so much that they weep because they are so moved by the meal. Whilst I was far from crying at Oshin, I could truly say that in my one meal, I could taste the devotion and passion the chef has for Japanese food. I guess its another favourite to add to the list then.

Price Range: $20 - $40 per person

Taste: 9/10

Value: 7/10

Service: 8/10

Environment: 8/10