I wrote this four years ago and have had it sitting in my draft pile ever since. I never released it immediately because it seemed like an episode from a past life once I was back in Australia, off the road and back on the corporate ladder. I’ve returned and left Cambodia again since writing… Continue reading Leaving Cambodia
Category: Location
Licensed to Eel
Also, eel is a vegetable.
Teddy’s Bigger Burger, Hawaii
My favourite trait in Americans is the lack of fear. It spawns an infectious entrepreneurialism. It tempts them to cook a patty of ground chuck to medium-rare over fire rather than safely char it to a risk-free tasteless puck. The above was hands down my favourite hamburger of 2010, from Teddy’s Bigger Burger in Waikiki,… Continue reading Teddy’s Bigger Burger, Hawaii
Takoyaki
I don’t understand the attraction of takoyaki. They’re balls of octopus and gluten served fresh on the streets of Japan, coated in a three types of umami: mayonnaise, bonito flakes, and their own special barbecue sauce. They turn out of their aebleskiver-like pans with a gluey consistency, a barely formed crust holding the octopus within,… Continue reading Takoyaki
Brandy Wine Pink Tomato
Apropos of nothing, here is my favourite tomato from this year’s crop. I’d love to give you an exact variety but it came from a pack of seeds that mixed ten heirloom varieties, which sprouted at random. At a guess, it’s a Brandy Wine Pink, a variety from the US first grown at some point… Continue reading Brandy Wine Pink Tomato
Indentured Labour: Camy Shanghai Dumpling House’s secret, part 2
Last time that I mentioned Camy Shanghai Dumpling House, I conjectured that the popularity was due to its open secret status and cheapness. At least now we know where the cheapness comes from: not paying their staff. From the Herald-Sun: Mr Chang worked 13-hour days from 9.30am-10.30pm with only five-minute breaks, which had to be… Continue reading Indentured Labour: Camy Shanghai Dumpling House’s secret, part 2
Your Kitchen Sucks
“I’ve seen enough people not cook well. I don’t want to watch people very pleased with what they’re doing but doing everything wrong…What I found on MasterChef when I was on it, some of the basic things the contestants were trying to do – they didn’t know the basic things, such as pastry making,” she… Continue reading Your Kitchen Sucks
Melbourne Restaurant Name Generator
Not sure what to name that new cafe or restaurant that you’ve lovingly crafted from rotting couches in a Melbourne laneway? Can’t find an fitting piece of pornocracy or Italian horror film to print on your disposable coffee cups? All you need to do is combine an honorific of some kind with the name of… Continue reading Melbourne Restaurant Name Generator