Aaboll Cafe- Ethiopian Eatery, Merrylands

It's not often you get to try authentic Ethiopian food in Sydney.
I'm slowly starting to discover this cuisine thanks to a fellow food blogger for sharing this restaurant. 
We ventured out to Merrylands one Sunday afternoon and I suddenly find myself missing the diversity of this place, mostly certainly the food and the aroma of the spices as you walk past some Middle Eastern shops.
There has been a huge change in Merrylands in the past few years. More assortment of restaurants have been added and among them is Aaboll Ethiopian Eatery which only opened last year.  

This was my first time trying Ethiopian food and I was excited to be eating them with my hands.
 The food is spicy but not hot, as the owner explained to us. Dishes are very well seasoned and the flavours are enhanced through the use of herbs and spices.  
   

Colourful wicker baskets used for storing food or display. 

Drink your Ethiopian coffee from a sini.

Jebeta and Incense burner 

Their Spicy Tea tasted very much like Chai Tea.

A combination of meat dishes, alicha, 2 vegetable side dishes and served alongside injera.
"Doro Wot" is chicken simmered in herb infused butter, 
chilli, onion and a tasty combination of seasoning and  paprika. It is traditionally served with egg.  

"Lamb Tibs" is pan fried lamb strips with onion, 
tomatoes and herbs topped with chopped fresh green pepper and served with salad.

"Kye Sega Wot" is tender beef cubes simmered in herb infused butter, 
chilli and seasoned with spices and paprika.

Injera is the staple food of Ethiopia. Traditionally made out of teff flour, 

it is a sourdough-risen flatbread with a unique soft, spongy texture.

Ethiopian food is eaten with the hands. You tear off a piece of injera and use it to grab some food 

and put it directly in your mouth. Easy peasy and so delicious.

Beautiful work by Ethiopian artist Adis Gebru.

Aaboll Cafe- Ethiopian Eatery

webpage 

140 Merrylands Rd, Merrylands NSW 2160, Australia

+61 2 8840 9076

La Galette Patisserie, Merrylands

When my family and I moved to Sydney, Merrylands was the first place we lived in.
It brings back so much wonderful memories. Merrylands was a quiet suburb, central to many things
and one of the most culturally and linguistically diverse areas in Sydney but a lot has changed in the past few years. 

I miss going back to this place for its food, the festivals, the library and I really miss my friends. 

Merrylands is filled with Middle Eastern pastry shops selling delicious syrup soaked sweets.

I tell you they are very hard to resist and will leave you begging for more.

Pistachio Bourma

Basma Pistachio

Taj Al Malak- How can you resist temptation?

Nammoura

Beklewa (Pistachio & Cashew)

Karabeesh

My family and I are huge fans of Lebanese breads. I used to buy them from this little shop called Milad Supermarket in Merrylands Road on my way to the library.
 I would also be filling my shopping trolley with delicious and authentic Middle Eastern spices, Afghan bread, pashmak (Persian fairy floss), pickled vegetables and whatever else I see that will satisfy my Middle Eastern food cravings. Typing this is seriously making me want to go back soon!

White Lebanese Bread

Afghan Bread

Pashmak or Persian fairy floss

La-galette Patisserie
webpage 
169 Merrylands Road, Merrylands New South Wales 2160
02 9637 4441
 

Peranakan Place, Auburn

Peranakans are descendants of early Chinese migrants who settled in Penang, 
Malacca and Singapore inter-marrying with local Malays.
They address themselves as Baba-Nyonya. 
Baba refers to men and Nyonya refers to women. 

Peranakan or Nyonya cuisine is a unique flavour combination of 
Chinese and Malay cuisines like this Nyonya Paper-wrapped Chicken recipe here.

It is tough to find Peranakan food in Sydney but today,
 I will share with you this exciting and often overlooked cuisine 

at Peranakan Place which only opened in Auburn a few months ago!

A bit far from where I live but the delicious authentic dishes make it well worth the drive. 

Also see more of Peranakan cuisine at Chilli Padi Nonya Cafe in Singapore.

 Nyonya ware or Straits Chinese porcelain

 Nyonya ware are exclusively used by the Straits Chinese community in the Malay Peninsula and Singapore. 

They are used during festive and special occasions like wedding, birthdays and anniversaries.

Achar + Sambal Belachan

Singapore Hot Coffee

Shrimp Paste Fried Chicken Wings

Crispy deep fried belachan marinated wings served with chilli sauce.

Ngoh Hiang
Minced prok and prawns, water chestnuts wrapped with beancurd skin and deep fried 

served with chilli jam.

Top Hats (Pie Tie)
Thin crispy petit tart shell filled with turnip, garnished with prawn and coriander.

Coconut Rice

Pineapple Curry Prawns

Orluak (Fried Oyster Omelette)

Babi Pongteh

Pulau Hitim

Sago Delight (Sago with Coconut Cream and Palm Sugar)

Nyonya Tiffin Carriers

Long before plastic bags and disposable containers, 

tiffin carriers were used to store and carry food.

Peranakan Place
139 Parramatta Road, Auburn NSW 2144
02. 9737. 8989
 

Haveli Indian Restaurant, Harris Park

Many would agree with me that Indian food is awesome.

Each bite is like a symphony of flavours bursting in my mouth.
I love the spicy aromas and the complex and unique flavours of its dishes.

If you want to experience Indian food in Sydney, the best place to go 
is Wigram Street in Harris Park.
The street is lined  with Indian restaurants, spice stores and saree shops
 one after another. 

Namkeen Lassi

Keema Naan and Garlic Naan

I love Indian bread (naan). It's puffy, a bit charred, chewy 

and delicious especially when it's warm.

Tandoori Chicken

Paneer Sizzler

Basmati Rice

Chicken 65

Goat Mugalai
Goan Fish Curry
Butter Chicken 

After dinner mints and outdoor seating at Haveli Restaurant in the evening.

Indian Sweets, Burfi (right)

Indian food cart at the Parramasala event.

Haveli Indian Restaurant
67 Wigram Street, Harris Park, NSW
02 9635 0110
info@havelirestaurant.com.au