Bao Dao Taiwanese Kitchen

After a week of soup, porridge and Gastrolyte, we were craving for some proper, solid, flavoursome food. We decided to have dinner at Chatswood because XW needed to replace her phone there. Unsure of where to go, I recalled J bringing me to a small Taiwanese place called Bao Dao and so that was where I recommended.

Located just next to Westfield Chatswood along the same row of shops as Moochi, they had a few tables for outdoor seating and had colourful Chinese paper lanterns aglow indoors.

We were greeted by a very friendly woman, presumably the manager/owner of the place who quickly seated us and handed us the menu. They had an open kitchen concept and we had to place our orders and pay at the counter before food was served.

Ignoring the fact that we were all recovering from a bout of gastroentiritis, we shared a serve of Baodao sticky rice with pork sauce ($6.60). So obvious that this was XW's choice because she's a sucker for sticky rice. It was like our rice dumpling but a healthier version with vegetables.

XW, D and S had Baodao half and half spicy beef noodle soup ($11.00). S had one bowl to herself while XW and D shared a bowl, which they more or less licked clean. They thoroughly enjoyed the soup.

I had a serve of pork sauce on rice ($6.60), which although was small, was just right for dinner. The pork was tender and the pickled vegetables gave it a refreshing contrast in taste.

The one thing I said that we must all have was the gwa bao or pork belly burger ($4.50), which was very similar to those at Ippudo but had a lot more ingredients (minus the mayo that Ippudo uses). This is the must order dish, in my opinion.

When you get bored with all the other places in Chatswood, do consider this place that is tucked away in a corner. Clean, no fuss and friendly, they accept card payments, too.

Bao Dao Taiwanese Kitchen

Shop 8, 376 Victoria Avenue, Chatswood, NSW 2067, Australia

Tel: +61 2 9419 6290; E-mail: info@baodao.com.au

Sunday to Wednesday 11:00am to 9:00pm

Thursday to Saturday 11:00am to 9:30pm

Fong Lye Taiwan Restaurant The Gardens

For many years, I have walked past this restaurant. In fact, since it opened its doors how ever many years ago. For the first time, VK brought me here for a pitstop before our movie. He made a few recommendations and left me to make my own decisions.

I remember their drinks to be quite expensive and made a mental note not to order drinks should I visit again.

He had made up his mind on what to order even before stepping in. I think it was a ramen-looking dish with pork slices and a roasted chicken drumstick.

And then the glutton in me could not resist the temptation of pork leg. Argh, I know it is super unhealthy but it is pork leg!!! How can one not like pork leg?! The braised pork with noodle set was not too bad. Would have preferred the noodles to be cooked slightly longer for that chewy texture.

They now have a bigger, fusion version open just round the corner. Prices are steeper but they have teppanyaki and hotpot options.

Fong Lye Taiwan Restaurant
Lot T208, 3rd Floor, The Gardens, Mid Valley City, Lingkaran Syed Putra, 59200 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Tel: +60 3 2283 8699
Open daily 11:00am to 10:00pm
*Cash only

Mother Chu's Taiwanese Gourmet

Despite having lived in Sydney for the past eight years, I have not dined in many of the eateries in Chinatown. One place some of my friends have frequented for quick feeds is Mother Chu's Taiwanese Gourmet.

I finally had a chance to eat here with an invitation from a friend who wanted to catch up with me and was concerned for my health. He had 'healthy' intentions but everything we ordered for tea that arvo was far from healthy. Just have a look at what we had:

The egg tart made me miss the Portuguese egg tarts sold at King's Confectionery. This egg tart had soft pastry and a centre which melted in the mouth.

The Hungry Bon Vivant left a comment on Street Food saying that the 油条 (yóu tiáo) with hot soy drink is a traditional Taiwanese breakfast and this establishment is filled with Taiwanese in the mornings. Literally, it means oil strip.

For Malaysians like me, I suppose we are more used to crispy golden you tiao sold at a roadside stall with a big black wok with oil only God (and the stall keepers) know how old. I do not know about other people but I use more of the Cantonese pronunciation of 'yao char guai' than the proper Mandarin 'you tiao'.

The next time I return to KL, I have to be sure to take photos of the other varieties of yao char guai, as well. Perhaps some photos on how we Malaysians have it with bubur cha cha, bak kut teh and porridge?

Mother Chu's Taiwanese Gourmet
Shop 1-4, 86-88 Dixon St, Chinatown 2000
Tel: +61 2 9211 0288
Open 7 days 8:00am - 8:00pm
Unlicensed, BYO, Corkage $1 person
No Cards (Cash only)