South-East Asian Stories

t’s always hard for me, as a traveller obsessed with all things Asia - particularly the food - to return home to Sydney after a trip.

But it's not all bad news when I get back from a trip. Whilst Sydney doesn’t exactly have the buzzing night markets or street food of Asia it does have plenty of foodie options that help to bring back the memories of being there.

Several suburbs of Sydney resemble mini versions of Thailand, Singapore or Vietnam. In fact it is Sydney’s “ghettoization” (in a good way) of nationalities and cultures that largely contributed to my falling in love with my adopted city after leaving the U.K almost 20 years ago. The celebration of multiculturalism through food helps define Sydney’s charm.

It may surprise first time visitors to Sydney and maybe even some Sydneysiders that Sydney is home to at least 3 mini Saigons, 4 mini Chinatowns, 2 mini Seouls and an area adjacent to the CBD’s Chinatown that actually goes by the name of “Thaitown.” If you’d rather cook then eat out, all the authentic ingredients for typical dishes from each country can easily be purchased in the local supermarkets located within these areas.

I do enjoy cooking when I’m in the mood but it’s no secret that I’d prefer to eat out. Luckily there is an embarrassment of riches from which to choose from when I’m hungry and missing Asia, which is most of the time!

If you are visiting Vietnam you will probably arrive at either Hanoi in the North or Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) in the South; both very different cities but both brimming with street food on every corner and seemingly millions of scooters all driving in the same direction at the same time - where are they all going?

Fashion Designers have popped up in these major cities and lacquerware for the home can be found at the major markets and boutiques. However it is the delightful town of Hoi An in the region of Central Vietnam that is a mecca for those who, like us, love to walk from shop to shop meeting local artisans who are hand crafting their unique creations.

In tourist promotional materials Cambodia is known as the "Kingdom of Wonder" and once you've visited its easy to see why. 

Travellers were coming to Siem Reap before the end of last century to see the temples of Angkor, in what was then a quiet town without nightlife, in a country that had known horrific turmoil in its not so distant past.