Supermarkets of mystery - Koji ~ Japanese rice mold

Fermentation. Umami. Mold. Now that we've got all the buzzwords out of the way, we can freely talk about the moldy Japanese rice grains called koji that create all the flavour in the soy sauce, miso and sake products we love.

Xinruyi Chinese Streetfood ~ Broadway Food Court, Ultimo

Broadway Food Court comes up with the noodle goods yet again with Xinruyi Chinese Streetfood.

Simply Fusion ~ Malaysian - Surry Hills

We have a #mee-too moment at Simply Fusion in Centennial Plaza, sister store of Island Dreams Cafe in Lakemba.

Afghan Sufra ~ Afghani - Lakemba

We usually head out to Merrylands whenever we feel like an Afghani feed, which is often. We love Merrylands but its quite a trek from our pretentious innerwest bubble. So we are thrilled to find Sufra Afghani in Haldon Street Lakemba, one of the Sydney's best and most underappreciated food strips.

Island Dreams Cafe ~ Christmas & Cocos Islands - Lakemba

Christmas Island is closer to Indonesia than Australia, but Lakemba is conveniently closer to us. The food at Island Dreams Cafe has a transporting sambal hit, the Malaysian influence in the dishes will get you there faster than a scuttling red crab.

The Burman Kitchen ~ Burmese, Surry (Gasp) Hills

 Surry Hills is not our usual source of B-Kyu eateries. Often the places are just too dang hip for a couple of dags like us. But when an all time favourite like The Burman Kitchen moves from west to east we rise out of our bubble to try it.

Valentine's Day Romance - Over the Moon Koon in Petersham

Fancy a beer and Chinese feed, love? Valentines Day done Petersham style.

Student Biryani ~ Pakistani, Surry Hills

Off all the joints we've loitered around, few have quite the cult following that Student Biryani enjoys. Since 1969 they've been dishing out plates of fluffy rice and nan across Pakistan and more recently in Auburn. Surry Hills, it's your turn.

Little Canteen ~ Chinese, Waterloo

We used to spend our weekends out west seeking the finest hole-in-the-wall restaurants. But now, fortunately for us, there's been a population explosion around Waterloo/Mascot/Zetland that has brought golden b-kyu goodness within walking distance of our inner west bubble.

Zaab Ver ~ Thai - Broadway Food Court, Ultimo

$5.99 for a bowl of Thai noodle soup? A hot lunch doesn't get much better for a few bucks at Zaab Ver.

Lazza ~ Filipino, Marrickville

We are back in love with Marrickville when we stumble upon the Pinoy joy of Lazza.

BBQ Prince ~ Chinese, Marrickville

In Sydney's revolving door food culture we are more interested in the places that have managed to survive a few years, rather than what's flashy and new. The stayers not the players. Such as BBQ Prince in Marrickville.

Beirut Falafel Cafe and Bakery ~ Lebanese - Darlington

Can't decide between a falafel roll or a manoosh? Have both! Have it on a roll, have it in a bowl. At Beirut Falafel, oh the places you'll go!

Chaao Thai Siam ~ Thai - Haymarket / Chinatown

If it's one thing that gets our stomachs excited it is the thought of a restaurant hiding up a flight of stairs and serving up Thai food unlike most places in Sydney. Chaao Thai Siam ticks all those shiny, happy boxes.

2018 Gone but not forgotten - our end of year round up of lost eateries

They've collected the plates and wiped down the tables one last time. Here's our annual round up of those places closed for good in 2018.

Descanso Cafe ~ Filipino - Glebe

Descanso Cafe mixes up standard cafe fare with a selection of classic Filipino meals, all the silogs, sisig and adobos you could want.

Cutie Puff ~ Chinese - Town Hall / Sydney CBD

It's the small stalls we often love the most, the grab and go beauties that offer quick snacks for a low price. Cutie Puff underneath Town Hall fits the bill, one steam bun in hand and a congee in a cup in the other.

Toko H20 ~ Indonesian Grocery Store - Sydney CBD

If there's an award for the one supermarket we've frequented the most this year, the gong has to go to Toko H2O. This Indonesian shop has sustained us with snacks, emergency groceries and quick dinners and lunches all year.

The Momos Hub ~ Nepalese - Chippendale

Nepalese momos as you like - fried, steamed, soupy, chilli - at The Momos Hub in Chippendale.

Like Noodle ~ Chinese - Wolli Creek

We are fortunate to live within waddling distance of Wolli Creek, there most be close to a dozen good Chinese joints there now, it's like a second Chinatown to us. Like Noodle is our latest Wolli Creek love.

Supermarkets of Mystery - Indo Mie Salted Egg Curly Fried Noodle

Indo Mie gets into the Salted Egg flavour craze, turning a cheap packet of instant noodles into an expensive packet of instant noodles. Marketing wins again!

Taste of Home ~ Chinese - Eating World Food Court, Chinatown

Ten dishes at Taste of Home, our latest favourite stir fry joint in Eating World.

Hanh Phuc Vegetarian Restaurant ~ Vietnamese - Surry Hills

Hanh Phuc used to be naughty. Once it was The Naughty Chef, an all singing and dancing meat happy pho and stir fry joint. Those folks have shifted operations over to a stall in a Martin Place food court and branched out into banh mi, keeping this place to operate as vegetarian. May the cows sing and dance in celebration!

Dunhuang Lou Restaurant ~ Chinese - George Street City\Chinatown

Just when we thought Lanzhou beef noodle soup was gone and forgotten in Sydney, we get 1919 in Ashfield, and now Dunhuang Lou in Chinatown. Oh my giddy auntie.

1919 Lanzhou Beef Noodle ~ Chinese, Ashfield

Lanzhou beef noodle is one of most treasured of all Chinese noodle soups. It's a magic mix of gentle, subtle, soothing broth, and chumpy noodles handmade just minutes ago.

The Secret Alley ~ Taiwanese - Chinatown

A pick'n'mix of small plates at The Secret Alley in Chinatown draws across all our favourite dishes from Taiwan in a neat table top filling way. We stopped at about 10 dishes between the two of us, with plenty more to return for.

Dapoer Shalom ~ Indonesian, Mascot

Botany Rd in Mascot has a small Indo food scene happening with a number of new stores opening recently. We go for the ayam bakar and we end up falling for the short ribs.

Mithu's Restaurant ~ Sri Lankan, Homebush West

We were digging on Mithu's Restaurant in Flemington/Homebush West a few years back, before and after our Sri Lanka trip, we finally make it back for a return feast.

Croatian Club at Club Punchbowl

We love visiting community clubs, they are always different, always welcoming, and the food is always worth a crack. This week we try the Croatian Club in Punchbowl.

Kenny's Pork Rolls ~ Vietnamese - Darlinghurst

Wedged between the bars and late night snack shops, Kenny's Pork Rolls in Darlo serves up classic pork rolls, salad bowls and Vietnamese street food.