Saturday, February 19, 2011

Red Lantern

Luke Nguyen

Of late, I dined at Red Lantern - 2nd experience after (4) years? I want to believe that my taste has changed over the years, however I actually think Luke Nguyen is not as good as he used to be and that his tv shows and books are just a publicity maneuver to rack in more $$$$

Check out one of his video shown on SBS and lifestyle channel:


Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying it's terribly bad, however his claim to authenticate his food and to accentuate the Vietnamese flavours is rather ambitious. Although his menu offers some beloved popular Vietnamese "home-cook" dish; as a Vietnamese growing up in a masterchef dome, I'd rather save the money and eat at home.

And my favourite chef in the whole wide world, my sister, claims to be better than Luke Nguyen- after that night, I confirm her claim :)

Nonetheless, I do recommend Red Lantern as a restaurant of choice for something different, it's affordable and the tasting menu has enough food to feed 10+ people, perfect venue for your next birthday dinner! The duck shredded cabbage salad is a MUST try!


Organic Gundooee Wagyu beef brisket braised in tomato with cinnamon, cassia bark and star anise


Line caught Blue Eye Trevalla poached in an aromatic prawn, tomato and coconut broth


Lightly battered chilli salted squid


Master stock chicken and jelly fish salad with fresh shredded cabbage and Vietnamese mint > THIS was delish! Best dish oft he night!


Soft rice paper rolled with roast duck, enoki mushrooms and fresh Vietnamese herbs


Large Black Berkshire Cross pork shoulder caramelized with lemongrass, chilli and shrimp paste. Served in a clay pot with Asian vegetables

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Lunar New Year

Also known as Chinese New Year

Okay I know I know, I'm starting to run out of lament excuses for not blogging. Sincere apologies, I've probably just been too busy eating and not bothering blogging about it afterward...

Kidding! We've been attacked by a heat wave (yes, it's so dramatic, I'd rather be attack by aliens), the heat was extremely unbearable that I just cannot sit in front of my computer and type away...

ALSO, as most of you Asians, or have Asians affiliations or living in a multicultural country such as Australia amongst thousands of Asians, you are probably aware that this weekend was Lunar New Year, or more popularly known as "Chinese" New Year as China is the mother country of most Asian countries and some Asian countries are prehistorically of Chinese ancestral background!
Whatever, point is, not only Chinese celebrates this special new year, any country going by the Lunar calendar celebrates this tradition, such as Vietnamese culture.

When I (and probably 99% of young kids) used to look forward to LNY, it was all about the red pockets we'd receive from our parents, uncles and aunties, family friends etc
Of course, it wouldn't be an Asian fiesta without FOOD!!!

In Vietnamese culture, we'd eat a massive feast from NYE and this would continue until sometimes about the 10th day into the new year. Typically, NYE would be dinner with family on one side, say, your Mother's side. Then on the 1st (NY day) we would go to the other side of the family, say your father's side etc
There are special dishes that we'd only get on NY, so it's very special and worth the wait!

I had so much food this weekend that I can't even begin to share all the food on this blog, so enjoy a few snapshots taken below because as they say, a picture is worth a thousand words, no need spam this page with the 1000000+ dishes I had during this wonderful festive season!







Happy New year :)

x -C