FoodieChat

Winter means beef noodle soup time. It’s so warming, healthy and delicious – compared to its fatty friend, laksa.  And the bonus is that it’s cheap – well most of the time, but definitely here at Pho  Noodle House. $8.50 will get you a steaming bowl of chicken or beef noodle soup, with the appropriate mountain of dunk your own condiments – bean sprouts, vietnamese basil, chillis and lemon juice.  The chicken one had more than enough meat – silky noodles, with onion and shallots touching the already deeply satisfyingi soup.   I couldn’t resist trying the summer rolls – $6 for 3 and regretted not sharing them, they were so filling, with prawns, vermicelli, lettuce and pork.  The dipping sauce one of the best – perfectly balancing sweet and savoury elements, and topped with toasted peanuts.

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I love popiah! Ever since Pauline and Eugene invited me over for a casual Saturday lunch of healthy yummy (uncooked) spring rolls Malaysian style. I must admit, I was seriously apprehensive to eat a raw spring roll wrapper. Thousands of rolls later – I am converted, and seeing professional popiah on the menu at the Malaya I was eager to go!  We had the set menu, at $40 head, which included 1 popiah each. Yum – the sauce was smeared on the inside and out, and each roll was tightly wrapped with prawns, vermicelli, chicken, beansprouts and nuts.  One is not enough! Alas no one declined theirs.  Second to come out – the ever popular Salt and Pepper King Prawns – quite good, a tad oily, but the right balance of salt and pepper and with a hint of fresh chilli.  I think they count them out exactly because one plate was smaller than the other due to our odd number. hmm.

I can’t comment on the Satay Lamb Skewers because I don’t eat lamb, but Simon assured me they were delicious and tender, smothered in peanut sauce.  I was indeed a fan of the peppered chicken – deep fried with fresh banana chillis, black beans and cashews.

We swapped the korma lamb with curried beef for me which was served with Roti Canai – flaky (oily) traditional wrappers/dippers for mopping up curry sauce. The beef was very tender and generous in size.  The Kwai Du (flat rice noodles with beansprouts, egg, prawns and chicken) was good.

And the stir fried bean sprouts with snow peas and chinese mushrooms were a refreshing break from all the meat.   More curry – prawns this time. I thought the sauce over powered the delicate meat slightly.. but by this time we were stuffed silly, and thinking about making the trek back to the office by foot to assist in balancing out the calorie intake.

 Its quite an up-market eatery – so it’s Malaysian fine dining , so expect prices to be higher than your local take away, but someone’s got to pay for the amazing views of cockle bay wharf! Good atmosphere too – the place was packed, and attentive staff.  Good for groups.

The Malaya, King Street Wharf. www.themalaya.com.au 

Sydney Morning Herald reported the finding of a giant squid in Tasmania

http://www.smh.com.au/news/environment/monster-from-the-deep/2007/07/11/1183833567895.html

I think that would make quite a bit of salt n’ pepper calamari!! Eww…