I Don't Eat, I Devour

I have been wanting to try one particular Korean dish for a long, long time: icy cold noodle which looks chewy and are wrapped in such a dense ball that they need to be cut with scissors before enjoying. Hansang is always top of the list when I search for a Korean restaurant in Sydney where I have enjoy cold noodles, so I decided it was time to pay it a visit.  One of the best things about going to Korean restaurants is the complimentary banchan (side dishes, or meal accompaniments). I am a particular fan of the fish cake (top row, third from the left), the refreshing pickled vegetables (greens, kimchi and radishes) and the creamy pasta salad (top RHS).  Those pan fried dumplings were hard to pass. Filled with pork and chives, their golden shells give them a more satisfying and chewy texture than their steamed counterparts. The flavours are well-balanced and moreish, especially when dipped in the soy-based accompanying sauce with a touch of chilli. Ah, kimchi pancake. Simple, vegetaria

I visited Mekong at the end of 2019 (which feels like an absolute lifetime ago) and rather enjoyed the vibrant South-East Asian cuisine on offer during that visit . This time round, I gathered a couple more friends and decided to make a feast of it, trying a few more dishes.  Mekong Share Plate, $42 For entree, I highly recommend the Mekong share plate, which serves 2 people and is a selection of the menu highlights. The scallops, which was also featured during my last visit, is a must try: fresh, tangy, balanced and sweet. The veggie samosas take me right back to my high school years where curry puffs were the height of a Thai takeaway experience (usually enjoyed right before a concert and shovelled down between rehearsals). The duck pancake comes pre-wrapped, and unlike the Chinese version with the crispy skin, the cut at Mekong has more of a pork belly like texture and equally enjoyable (though secretly, I still prefer the Chinese version if I must choose). The chicken wings are be

When Loulou opened a couple of months ago, there was a real buzz about this chic French bistro and boulangerie that makes what I consider to be the best baguette in Sydney, surpassing even my old favourite, Azuki Bakery. So when an opportunity came up to try the cuisine, I was curious to see if it lives up to the hype.  Chicken liver parfait, $18 This unassuming-looking liver parfait is my favourite dish of the evening. Beautifully creamy and smooth, the flavours wonderfully balanced, and paired with a soft, buttery brioche from Loulou's esteemed bakery, this is a fine way to start a meal.  Pommes Dauphines, $12 Fluffy, smooth, creamy mashed potatoes encased in a light batter and gently fried, this is the comfort food of one's dreams. Absolutely gorgeous - highly recommended with a drink or two. Speaking of which, the cocktails at Loulou are classic and well-balanced. I particularly recommend the Vieux Carre.  John Dory, $48 If I were to recommend one main dish only, this would