South East China Food Trail

Hi! My name is Tobi, the Business Gnome. I love working and have just arrived home from a business trip where I travelled around Southeast China. From Guangzhou to Sanya, the food is delicious, and some of my favourite dishes can be found right here in Chatswood. From power dining with seafood to delicious dumplings that burst with flavour to the daring Sichuan braised fish in chilli that adds some punch to your palate, Chatswood’s Chinese restaurants are a sound investment!

Here's some of the best South East Chinese cuisine in Chatswood:

1. Tofu Pudding at Sugar Cubed

After a tiring day of meetings, one of my favourite pastimes along the streets of Hong Kong would be stopping by a vendor and cooling off with a bowl of sweet tofu pudding (or dohua as it is named there). On the way back to the hotel, a neat little shop called Sugar Cubed was serving these famous bowls and I knew exactly where I would be ending off my day here in Chatswood. The velvety texture of the tofu pudding mixes brilliantly with the sweet syrup ensuring the dessert delivers something that is light, soft yet impactful in its entirety. It’s the perfect dessert to brighten up your afternoon or enjoy after a hearty meal. #CorporateCoolOff

Chatswood Central, Shop 2, 1-5 Railway St, Chatswood NSW 2067

2. Braised Fish in Chilli at China Chilli

As a Gnome who loves to bring the heat when closing on deals, there’s no better way to sign off than with a spicy lunch! Walking past China Chilli, the smell of the chilli and tangy spices reminded me of the streets of Sichuan where such dominant aromas fill the streets. I immediately go for the Braised Fish and Chilli where the dominant flavours are on show! The chilli oil and broth contain a wonderful mix of numbing chillies that brings a unique mix of heat and acidity. Layered over the braised fish, the flaky texture of the fish meat is a joy to have with every mouthful being more delicious than the last. If you are looking to bring the heat, look no further than China Chilli’s offering of braised fish. #ASpicyAffair

Chatswood Interchange, Shop T69 Podium Level, 436 Victoria Ave, Chatswood NSW 2067

3.  Extraordinary Xia Long Baos at Lilong by Taste of Shanghai

Flying in from Shanghai I decided to bring the party early with a basket of Xia Long Bao (soup dumplings). Each dumpling contains a soup-filled pork filling. This means each dumpling is an aromatic package containing hot soup and minced pork filling. Often accompanied by soy sauce and red vinegar, the salty and acidic sauce adds another great dimension to the savoury dumplings. The streets of Shanghai are filled with restaurants and street vendors serving up multitudes of these bamboo baskets. The steam trails follow kitchen to table bringing joy and excitement. At Lilong by Taste of Shanghai, I am certain we will have the same joyous faces when our delicious Xia Long Baos leave the kitchen and arrives at our tables.

Chatswood Interchange, Shop 68, Level 3, 436 Victoria Ave, Chatswood NSW 2067

4. Siu Mai Dumplings at Fortune Place

There is no better way to conduct business than over freshly brewed tea and a basket filled with aromatic steamed Siu Mai (pork in wonton pastry) dumplings. Yum Cha is a popular pastime I’ve enjoyed time and time again in Hong Kong either at breakfast or lunchtime making it one of the ultimate ‘brunch’ meals. With calming herbal teas, a magnificent variety of delicious dumplings, and a jovial atmosphere, there is no better experience. The Siu Mai dumplings are my absolute favourite and are a dish I’d recommend everyone to order. This particular type of dim sim is wrapped in wonton pastry and packed condensed with juicy pieces of pork mince where it is steamed to juicy perfection. The look on my client’s faces when they take a bite is enjoyable each time. Can’t put a price on that!

Mandarin Centre, Level 3, 61-65 Albert Ave, Chatswood NSW 2067

5. XO Pippis at Mama Mulan

Nothing makes for a finer power dinner than a dish that has been made with the coveted XO sauce. In Hong Kong, XO and any seafood reign supreme as one of the most famous celebratory dishes that bring a wow factor every time it comes to the table. My newest associates brought me to Mama Mulan where the XO Pipis is one of the primary attractions here. XO is a dried seafood-based sauce that explodes with umami flavours combining brilliantly well with the pipis. Each tender pipi is layered with sweet, salty, spicy and umami notes meaning each bite is an explosion of flavour. Combined with the crunchy fried vermicelli bed on which it sits, each bite provides a luxurious feel of both taste and texture. If you are looking to celebrate, Mamma Mulan’s XO Pipis is absolutely perfect!

Level 1, The Concourse, Chatswood NSW 2067

Written by Digest with Dan

Visit Digest with Dan's blog

Visit Digest with Dan's Instagram

 

YOUR CHANCE TO WIN BIG

There’s more than $20,000 worth of amazing prizes up for grabs! Take the most creative image you can with each of the 12 gnomes – without touching them, of course – and upload them to our Competition page to enter.

Chatswood Nights - Roaming Gnomes is funded by the NSW Government's CBDs Revitalisation Program, part of Willoughby City Council's Chatswood Culture Bites Program.

When

Location

Chatswood Interchange, 436 Victoria Ave, 2067, View Map