Took Be Gi Korean Food ― Perth, WA

Took Be Gi's neon sign is sheer awesomeness. I hope you've all taken the time to appreciate how kool it is. 

If I'm ever in Perth again, Took Be Gi will definitely be on my list of 2DOs. They have this hole-in-the-wall feel about them. You walk in, and since the size of the place could be the size of one's living room, you instantly feel at home. More than 50% of the customers in this place looked Korean, so I'd like to think the food at this place is the closest you'd get to authentic Korean food in WA.

left: Soondubuchigae (Spicy/Soft Tofu Soup) right: Bibimbap

Now let's talk big business: food. Okokokok it was a mistake to order the regular Bibimbap instead of the Dolsot Bibimbap. Dolsot Bibimbap is just so much betttter with the hot stone bowl and the crispy layer of rice that forms along the bottom of the hot stone bowl and of course, the raw egg placed on top. For me, Took Be Gi's regular Bibimbap wasn't anythin' special. Took Be Gi's Tofu Soup, however, totally blew me away! So worth $11! It was spicy as hell and arrived at our table piping hot, they weren't stingy on the chunks of soft tofu floating inside of it, and I might even recall finding some seafood in there? TIP: Their sweet soya beans side dish is BOMB! Ask nicely and you might even get seconds.

Cheap Eats Perth CBD

clockwise from left: Chilliz's Nasi Lemak, Mela's samosas, Star Sushi's rolls, Taka's Katsu Don

Ahh, home sweet Perth, WA's underrated capital city. Hey backpackers in Oz, if you're considering going to Perth, do it! It's mos def up & coming, the weather's beautiful, the vibe is chill... just go! And when you do get there, try some of the good-quality, yummy cheap eats I've recommended below. Nothing's over $6, so even if you order 'em once in a while, you won't break the bank.



Chilliz ― $4 Nasi Lemak

Just look at how perfectly boiled that egg is! Every Perthite knows that Chilliz serves up one of the cheapest take-away lunches in town (the most expensive dish can't be more than $6). I've tried a couple of their menu items, but this Nasi Lemak remains my fave. Why? Variety. Curry chicken + fish fillet + egg + sambal onion served with rice. It's not fussy, it's tasty and by Australian standards, it's a cheapass meal! Squirt some hot sauce on top of that baby and life'll be grand.


Mela ― $3 lamb samosa

If you're in Northbridge and you need a quick food fix to stave off hunger, Mela's lamb samosa will do your body good! Back home, one could buy decent samosas priced at 3 or 4/$1. But in the land of Oz, $3/samosa isn't too shabby. Warning: the ground lamb in this samosa packs a little bit of heat. Even more surprising was the samosa's outer crust! Though deep-fried, this samosa didn't feel too terribly greasy, and the crust wasn't too thick. Note: Mela isn't located in the CBD, but it is 10 minutes walking distance from the CBD.

Star Sushi ― $2 sushi rolls

Hard to resist because it's conveniently located on William St, whether you like it or not, you'll pass by Star Sushi multiple times a day if you live/work in Perth CBD. Shhh. Can you hear that hunky chunk of avocado ensconced within that roll calling your name? Tip: Star Sushi's rolls are discounted at $2 a pop only after 5pm. Foolishly arrive at 6pm and all the spicy salmon rolls will be gonzo. PS. The ladies who work at Star Sushi are so cute and super-nice :)

Taka ― $5.30 Katsu Don (size small)

Taka is alwayyys busy, no matter what time of day. Tourists and locals alike know that it's Perth's go-to place for cheap yet filling bowls of love. My fave bowl is Taka's Katsu Don (panko-crumbed chicken strips served with egg omlette over a bed of rice). It's all about the texture, man! If you're a texture fiend like me, you'll likely enjoy the Katsu Don too, where crispy chicken strips meld harmoniously with silky egg omlette. C'est magnifique!

[DAY 216] SHELLEY IN OZ

2 June 2011 // day-long bikeride // Mt Lawley―Perth CBD―South Perth―King's Park―Mt Lawley

FitChips ― NOT all that & a bag of chips

Back home, they're referred to as fries. Here in Oz, fries are called chips. Whatever they're called, we all have our own definition of a mind-blowingly mm-mm-good chip. Shelley's ideal chip is 1. fresh-cut 2. crispy on the outside and 3. moist/soft on the inside. Simple as 1, 2, 3. FitChips are air-fried and therefore less greasy and considered healthy and blah blah blah, but they're just not worth writing home about. The worst thing about them is their mushy texture; 0% crispiness, ya'll! Blegh. My suggestion? Treat yourself every once in a while and shallow pan-fry your own chips at home --> click for pic!

Farmers Market in Perth CBD?

Subi Farmers Market | http://subifarmersmarket.com.au | 28 May 2011

Dear Perth,

Why don't you have a farmer's market in the CBD??! Subi Farmers Market is kool and all, but it's all the way in Subi and the next closest farmer's market is in East Perth! It just doesn't make sense to me. Most major cities in the world have centrally-located markets chock-full of fruits and veg and all that other good stuff, WHY THE HELL DON'T YOU?

―Sick of shopping for groceries at Woolies & Coles in Perth CBD

Butter Goods Clothing Co.

http://www.quite-buttery.com

What are our thoughts on the design of this logo, folks? Hmmmmmmmmmmm hella kerned or what??!

Brooke Waldrogel ― Stuff and Shit, 2010

Brooke Waldrogel, Stuff and Shit (a series of 28 paintings), 2010

These 2 paintings amused me the most out of the 28. See the rest of the series at PICA in Perth, Western Australia. Correct me if I'm wrong, but, isn't "mousaka" supposed to be spelled "moussaka?"

Salt & Vinegar Almonds ― Kakulas Brothers

I should probably inquire over at Kakulas Brothers as to whom they source their Salt & Vinegar Almonds from, but frankly, I could care less. The fact of the matter is, these are the best damn almonds you will ever try. In your life. Period. Better watch out!!! 'Cuz they're hiiiiiiighly addictive. Here's what makes them off the hizz-ay: A delicate balance exists between the almonds' toothsome sourness and their dry saltiness. Would love to see these almonds duel it out with Lay's Salt & Vinegar Chips one day, word.

Baker's Delight ― Best Hot Cross Buns in Oz?!!

[L―R] Fruitless, Choc Chip, Mocha, Traditional

Easter 2011 has passed and aren't we all fattened up from ODing on hot cross buns, hmmmm? I work at a café in this lil shopping centre here in Perth (Western Australia), ya'see, and all throughout my shifts the entire week before Easter, I'd watch the madness unfold. In the shopping centre, there's this bakery chain called Baker's Delight... and all I gotta say is... never before have I seen people go straight bananas over the Easter-y baked good! Naturally, I had to cop me a variety pack!!! The bakery offers 4 distinct flavours: Fruitless, Choc Chip, Mocha and Traditional. I've layered the images of the hot cross buns (see below) for visual interest. Creepy, you reckon?

FRUITLESS
―

Plain Janeskis :) I wouldn't ever, ever purchase this bun individually (priced at $1.90 AUD). Heck, I wouldn't purchase this bun ever again, period. It just wasn't anything special. And if you aren't able to toast it, expect it to remain dry/far from moist. Begs to be buttered!!!!!!!!!!!!

CHOC CHIP
―

Yummy and moist, yup! But a tad decadent for me. Needs not be buttered. OH! If you're feelin' lavish then go 'head and slather some peanut butter on 'er. Excellent either toasted or untoasted.

MOCHA *Shelley's fave!
―

Holla @ this hot cross bun!!!!!!!!!! My fave of the four simply because of its uniqueness. It's 1/2 coffee-ish & 1/2 choc-chippy. I mean, have you ever tried a coffee flavoured hot cross bun studded with chocolate chips?!! I didn't think so. So go try one if you can! Oh wait, if you don't live in Australia or New Zealand then I guess you're sh.t outta luck. Sucker!

TRADITIONAL
―

Everything you expect a hot cross bun to taste like. And I love Baker's Delight for gettin' with the program and making their version without nasty dried fruits, yuck! Raisins only, ya heard?! Enjoyable toasted or untoasted, buttered or unbuttered and if you really wanna be kool, then stick slices of badass Extra Old Tasty (cheddar) cheese in 'er. Happy hot cross bun-ing! Bye bye :)

[DAY 167] SHELLEY IN OZ

My sincerest apologies, ya'll. There are several reasons why I haven't posted up anything as of recently. 1. After travelling Eastern Oz & New Zealand for 2 months in total, my main priority now is to work work work! Gotta eat, true? As such, looooong day shifts at the cafe = no time to blog:( Furthermore, I have no Internet access at home (though I can't complain about the flat I live in, a 2-year-old condo 10 minutes away from Perth CBD overlooking the river complete with pool, sauna, jacuzzi & gym what whaaaaaaat). Secondly, I have a backlog of SO many kool creative-y ideas that I'm simply befuddled. Where to start?! And thirdly (insert sigh), I'm just not inspired by the food-y scene here in Perth, goshdarnit! Meantime betweentime, I'll continue to search for inspiration. Feel me?

"For you!"

One day, six months ago, while walking down a street somewhere in Brisbane, something perched between the wires of a low fence caught André's eye. When André proceeded to touch the unidentifiable object, it became clear to him that it was a small, square-shaped envelope. In quick handwriting, "For you!" was scratched onto the front of the envelope. And inside, there was a small, square-shaped card. Without hesitation, André opened up the card and read aloud, "I am a Canadian tourist and, I Love Australia!!" He flipped the card over and on the back of it, one is warned to "Never take Australia for granted!!" before being wished a goodday. True story! And now the card is in my possession. Ironic, no? Somehow, I don't feel like a tourist in Australia anymore, at least not all the time... sigh. Perth, here I coooooommmmmmmeeeeee!