The great thing about living in Sydney is one need not go overseas to have a fill of different authentic cuisines.  I’ve shown you different areas of Sydney Metro that has Koreatowns and I’ve also written about Chinatown. This time, let me bring you to a gastronomic tour of Cabramatta, Sydney Metro’s Vietnamtown.

Located in the Metro South West, Cabramatta is Sydney’s Little Vietnam. Although there are restaurants that offer different cuisines, majority of the establishments here are Vietnamese. A short walk from Cabramatta Train Station to John Street and you’ll find a long avenue of restaurants and shops. This is where you can have a glass of Iced Vietnamese Coffee at Cafe 86 or have some Pho at Pho Viet and Tan Viet.
Gastro-Travel: Cabramatta, Sydney Metro's Vietnamtown
P1Gastro-Travel: Cabramatta, Sydney Metro's Vietnamtown210036
In a bakery called Viet Hoa Hot Bread, we chanced upon the Banh Kep or Pandan Waffles. Sweet, fluffy and soft. Perfect when eaten hot and fresh. 
Gastro-Travel: Cabramatta, Sydney Metro's Vietnamtown

You will see a few establishments with Sugar Cane Makers.  Fresh Sugar Cane Juice made only when one orders. They’re refreshing and healthy.

Gastro-Travel: Cabramatta, Sydney Metro's Vietnamtown
We went to Eastland Supermarket for some fresh produce and rice cakes. It’s a bigh store full of Asian products. Outside the store are fruits that liven up the place.
Gastro-Travel: Cabramatta, Sydney Metro's Vietnamtown
Gastro-Travel: Cabramatta, Sydney Metro's Vietnamtown
You can also find sliced and packed fruits should you want the convenience just eating it right away.
Gastro-Travel: Cabramatta, Sydney Metro's Vietnamtown
Vietnamese delights such as desserts, rice cakes, nuts and jelly cakes on take away containers. 
Gastro-Travel: Cabramatta, Sydney Metro's Vietnamtown
Gastro-Travel: Cabramatta, Sydney Metro's Vietnamtown
Gastro-Travel: Cabramatta, Sydney Metro's Vietnamtown
We went inside one of the laneways of John Street and found more stores. One store offered cooked dishes for take-away. They looked delicious but I didn’t buy them when we where there. I swear though that next time I had the chance I will definitely buy us some of these.
Gastro-Travel: Cabramatta, Sydney Metro's Vietnamtown
Tim Tim Cake Shop (Shop 16, 105-107 John Street) sells simple but delicious cakes of different flavours such as Sesame Roll, Green Tea Roll, Pandan Roll, etc.
Gastro-Travel: Cabramatta, Sydney Metro's Vietnamtown
Other than food, we went thru some of the shops but spent more time at a video store that sells DVDs of Asian dramas. Of course we gravitated towards the Korean dramas haha.
Gastro-Travel: Cabramatta, Sydney Metro's Vietnamtown
Gastro-Travel: Cabramatta, Sydney Metro's Vietnamtown

We were so full from all coffee and lunch we had at Cabramatta so we just bought a few desserts to share with our relatives. We got rice cakes, bean cakes and a Taro Roll. I also bought a pack of sliced Green Mangoes.

Gastro-Travel: Cabramatta, Sydney Metro's Vietnamtown
Gastro-Travel: Cabramatta, Sydney Metro's Vietnamtown

We enjoyed the Taro Roll and Rice Cakes when we had tea. The next time we visit Cabramatta, we’ll try some other desserts and goodies we can find there.

In the coming days, I will share with you the Vietnamese restaurants we’ve eaten at Cabramatta. 

Related Posts:
The Husband’s Birthday Weekend
Cabramatta Part 2

Instagram is such a big part of my life in social media. When the Husband and I started our Instagram accounts in 2010, we used it as an outlet of our love for photography. But as time goes by, Instagram became more of an extension of my social media life. I now use Instagram to share what goes on in my day, moments that make me happy, foodie adventures and shopping finds. I use it as a way to reach out and send out information to social media friends too. 

I currently have tons of photos now in Instagram and have mentioned to the Husband that I hope to find a way to compile it and make an album out of it.  The Husband made a few searches online and found out about Printstagram, a company that prints Instragram photos and turn it into different cute products such as mini books, stickers, memory box, calendar and posters. 

Getting your instagram photos printed is so easy. Just go to their website http://printstagr.am/ and just choose a product that you’d like to avail and click “more info”. It will then lead you to the details of your chosen product. Click “buy now” and it will ask you to log in your Instragram details. Once logged on, you will need to choose your chosen product again and your Instagram photos will show up. Then you can choose the photos you’d like printed. Once finished, check-out and pay via credit card. They deliver worldwide via UPS and DHL. For more information, click here.

We ordered our first minibook last Tuesday night (16 October) and we received the package today (22 October). Less than a week!  I chose the minibook because I like the binding. An order of the minibook product comes with two minibooks containing 50 photos for only US$12.00.
Mini Book by Printstagram
The Husband and I are so happy to receive it. Our first Instagram mini book has a theme. We chose photos that showcases what we love about our life here in Sydney. 
Mini Book by Printstagram
What liked about the minibook most was its vivid printing, good quality paper and glossy-photo finish. 
Mini Book by Printstagram
It’s sooooo cute too! It’s only this small….
Mini Book by Printstagram
I can’t wait to get our Instragram photos printed again and try their other products.

Got instagram? Check out my photos via @ibyang. See you there!
We had a fun start to our weekend as we had a Friday Night-In with our group of friends, Kolokoys (that’s what we call our group). It’s been awhile since we’ve spent time together. We do meet up for meals or parties every once in a while but hanging out for no reason is something we missed. Having a night-in on a Friday is such a welcoming thing. The Husband and I like staying home on Fridays that’s why we love Friday Night-In with friends. The relaxing experience of being at home, talking with friends, playing with kids and sharing good food are some of the best ways to welcome the weekend. It’s one of the most laidback things as we just all arrive at a friend’s place after work with food to share with everyone. No dress code, no reservations needed, no time limit. Our presence and food, those two were the only things we needed.

Speaking of food, we had lots of it: Cheese and Ham platter, Pork Sisig, Relyenong Bangus, Pork Roast, Baked Spaghetti, Buttered Mushrooms, Green Salad, Apple Pie and Apple Danish (hindi naman kami masyadong mahilig sa apple nyan hahaha). And us ladies enjoyed a refreshing Pimm’s and Lemonade Cocktail and some bubblies before going home (no drinking for the Husbands who drive).

The start of our weekend did set the tone to a relaxing but productive Saturday and Sunday. The positive cheer and love from friends on Friday night was something we brought with us back to our home.

Hope you had a lovely weekend too.

I already own a pair of rain boots but that didn’t stop me from looking for another pair. The first one I bought goes up to my knee and I found it bulky. I wanted something lighter and shorter. 

At one of my visits to Morning Glory last month, I found that they’re selling rain boots. It was fortunate that they’ve got a dotted black pair and had it in my size.
Style Musings: Dotted Rain Boots
I fell in love with it instantly as it’s the right length for me and it has heels!!! At first look, it doesn’t seem like rain boots. It can pass as normal boots. 
Style Musings: Dotted Rain Boots
Style Musings: Dotted Rain Boots Style Musings: Dotted Rain Boots
Style Musings: Dotted Rain Boots
Photos taken during our Koreatown Fri-date
Black Shirt and Dotted Scarf: yesstyle.com.au  Denim Skirt: Topshop  Puff Jacket: SES
Black Tights: Voodoo Hosiery  Rain Boots: Morning Glory
Satchel: LeSportsac  Umbrella: Daiso
Discovered a place that serves the best looking and best tasting Bibimbap. We had lunch at Asadal in celebration of the Husband’s birthday last month and we got to have the most abundant and gorgeous Bibimbap and more.
Asadal Japanese Korean Restaurant (Parramatta, NSW)

Asadal is a restaurant that successfully married Japanese and Korean cuisine and served them in beautifully made dishes. Not every Japanese-Korean restaurant can do this, but with Asadal, they’ve perfected both cuisines that’s why they’re recognized as one of the best restaurants in Sydney Metro.

Once we entered the restaurant, we saw the sushi train on the left and the dining area on the right. We asked to be seated in one of the tables and just grabbed a few plates from the sushi train.

Asadal Japanese Korean Restaurant (Parramatta, NSW)

The prettiest water jug we’ve seen so far. How very Korean, aye?

Asadal Japanese Korean Restaurant (Parramatta, NSW)
The best thing about a Japanese-Korean restaurant is having the best of both worlds. Only in restaurants like these do we see our table laden with Sushi and Banchan dishes. Such a wonderful and mouthwatering sight to behold.
Asadal Japanese Korean Restaurant (Parramatta, NSW)
We ordered a plate of Takoyaki Balls to start with. Deep-fried Octopus enveloped in creamy mayonnaise and dipped in Tonkatsu sauce. 
Asadal Japanese Korean Restaurant (Parramatta, NSW)
Our choice for the Sushi: Chicken with Avocado and Scallops. The Chicken was crunchy while the Scallop was so soft and fresh. Their sushi are one of the best I’ve tasted in Sydney Metro. 
Asadal Japanese Korean Restaurant (Parramatta, NSW)
Asadal Japanese Korean Restaurant (Parramatta, NSW)

The Husband ordered the Sizzling Teriyaki Chicken. It had the right balance of salty and sweet which is a winner in my books.

Asadal Japanese Korean Restaurant (Parramatta, NSW)
While I had a big bowl of Bibimbap. It’s the prettiest, freshest and well-made Bibimbap I’ve had so far. The beef was half-cooked when it arrived to our table but the bowl is so hot that it will cook all the ingredients in it. In a few minutes, the beef turned brown but it was juicy and tender.
Asadal Japanese Korean Restaurant (Parramatta, NSW)

We took our time and savoured the Husband’s birthday lunch. This restaurant was perfect for us because we love Korean and Japanese cuisines and we’re so glad that Asadal makes them both so well.

Asadal Restaurant (Korean Japanese Cuisine)
Shop 1, 76 Phillip Street, Parramatta NSW
Phone: (02) 9633 4765