Australia has a rich variety of foods and drinks, which has been adopted and adapted since colonization ad developed as part of a multi-cultural society. Whatever was once new or foreign has now been transformed with new styles and ingredients, giving them a separate identity as distinctly Australian food. And Sydney, a city of icons, is also a foodie’s paradise, as you can an endless supply of places to fill your tummy; from unique combinations to amazing café food. It can be hard to decide where to go when the city offers you so many options, so, I have listed below 7 things that you must try when you’re visiting Sydney.

1. Cheeseburger Spring Rolls

What’s not to love in this ultimate drinking food with cheeseburgers and spring rolls together? You’d probably get an extended list of cocktails to pair with them as well. If you’re trying them out at Ms. G’s, make sure you try it with the famous Yuzu Slushee which is the locals’ favorite.

2. Spicy Dry Biltong

Visit Stanley Street Butcher on St. Ives, an iconic butcher specializing in South African products. For a yummy snack, this is the place you’re looking for. There is so much to choose, but you should definitely try out the many types of biltong hanging up in the shop. Since they cut it on the spot, you can ask them to make it as spicy as you want.

3. Fried Chicken at Thirsty Bird

No ordinary chicken shop, Thirsty Bird is a simple fit out, with some stools against a wooden bench and an open kitchen from where you can hear satisfying sizzling noises. It’s more of a takeout then restaurant, but the food is worth a try. Try the meal deal when you visit – you’ll get two pieces of fried chicken with pickles on one side and sauce. A pure comfort fare is the side of mash and gravy, the smooth potato topped with gravy rich in chicken. The mac and cheese with fried chicken is the locals’ favorite, which is spiked with bacon and topped with crisp breadcrumbs.

4. Tonkotsu

If you’re going to the food court in Chinatown’s Dixton House, be sure to visit Ramen O San to get your hands on some of the good stuff. The tonkotsu here is creamy, rich, and pleasingly smoky, with green onions and essential cloud ear mushroom resting atop fatty ovals of the meat. The black garlic tonkotsu is a great option if you want to mix up some things.

Tonkotsu Ramen

By No machine-readable author provided. Schellack assumed (based on copyright claims). [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

5. Barbecue Chicken at Hawa

The smell hits you as soon as you enter the main street of Granville. The scent is of chicken skin charring to smoky crisp as fat drips and sizzles onto the glowing charcoal below. Charcoal chicken might rule the roost here, but you can also try the skewers of kefta spiced lamb mince, shish tawok marinated chicken, cooked over a flaming grill. There are plenty of options for vegetarians here as well, with the vege platter piled high with baba ghanouj, hummus, deep-fried eggplants and cauliflowers, and garlicky falafel balls.

6. Roast Sandwiches at Rozelle Market

The shop serves hotdogs as well as cheesy fries, but you should definitely try the roast rolls. You might struggles to finish the sandwiches due to the tender, hunky pieces of meat and shards of golden crackling on the chewy white roll, pickled with carrot, cucumber and as much chili as you can handle.

7. Udon Noodles

Visit Menya Mappen for amazing noodles; soba, udon or ramen. You can top them with chopped green onions and tempura crumbs. Menya has such a large following, nothing stays stationary here for long, so you won’t have to worry about soggy prawns or sweet potato chips here.

Heading to Sydney?

About the Author:Emmeline Brown is a passionate travel blogger. She shares an uncanny love for food and travel and has been dreaming of exploring the world ever since she took a trip to the Grand Canyon with her parents when she was 13. You can read more of her work in her blogs written for a Dubai travel agency Travelex Travels & Tours.

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