South-East Asia, which comprises eleven countries like Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia etc., is home to beautiful cultures, traditions and lifestyles. Besides their vibrant culture, South-East Asia is also known for their delicious food. From tasty street food to sweet desserts, South-East Asian cuisine is famous all over the world. For people in Australia who wish to sample the foods from this part of the world, worry not! Australia, which is a melting pot of cultures, is also a place that boasts of a wide variety of cuisines that is enjoyed by all people.
Many places in Australia, such as the suburbs of Sydney, make food authentic to their place of origins, like the places that serve Thai in Rouse Hill locality. Though Rouse Hill is a small place with around 8000 population, the suburb is the best place for anyone looking for East Asian street food. Here is a list of four delicious dishes from the cuisine that everyone must try at least once in their lifetime.
- Pho
Pho is a rice noodle soup dish from Vietnam. It is famous all over the world and served in many restaurants. Pho consists of rice noodles, herbs and meat in a flavourful broth. Usually, the dish has cuts of beef or chicken, made according to the customer’s preference. The broth or soup for pho uses many spices like star anise, cloves, black cardamom, coriander seed, fennel etc. Many garnishes like onions, basil, cilantro, and lime are also in the dish. This warm dish fills not only the stomach but also the spirit. It is a favourite among many people and must be tried by everyone at least once!
- Pad Thai
Pad thai is a Thai dish loved by people all over the world. Though it is considered street food, it is one of the most popular foods in Thai cuisine. It consists of rice, stir-fried with eggs, fish sauce, garlic, shallots, tamarind juice, palm sugar and more tossed in a wok. Vegetables and meat like crab, shrimp, chicken are also present. For Australians who want to try Pad thai, there are many places to choose from. Such as the restaurants that serve Thai in Rouse Hill locality. This sweet-spicy, hearty dish is the perfect introduction to Thai cuisine and flavours and is a must-have. A vegan and vegetarian version of this food is also available in many places.
- Nasi Goreng
This Indonesian dish translates to “fried rice”. Though fried rice is a commonly found food made worldwide in many ways, Nasi Goreng is undoubtedly the most famous version. It is one of the national dishes of Indonesia and is popular breakfast food in homes. Unlike other fried rice, Nasi Goreng has a smoky caramelised flavour that makes it unique. The traditional recipe makes use of leftover rice from the previous night because of its texture. It also contains various seasonings and condiments like turmeric, krupuk, fish sauce, and shrimp paste. This well-loved dish is served in many places in Australia. Countries like Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Singapore make different versions of the same dish with locally available produce.
- Laksa
This noodle soup has its origins in several South-East Asian countries and is a staple dish in many countries like Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia. This dish uses thick rice noodles in its preparation, and the term “laksa” supposedly comes from the Persian word for noodles. This dish has two main variations-Asam Laksa and Curry Laksa. The former refers to a sour soup that uses tamarind as the base, while the latter, “curry laksa”, has rich, creamy coconut milk as the base. Aside from spices, this dish has other ingredients like cucumbers, pineapples, mint leaves, egg, sambal paste, beansprout, fish, chicken, and prawns. This complex noodle soup with its deep flavours is a dish that everyone must try once in their life.
Australians who are looking to sample East Asian food and street foods don’t need to look far since many places like Rouse Hill in the Sydney suburbs serve quality food authentic to its origins.
