Xiamen Perspectives

Shantou's Rice Noodle Strip Soup

You may have seen this popular street dish even in Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand - what seems to be soup with white rice noodle strips, garnished with thin slices of meat, seafood and vegetable.   It is truly appetising, does not encourage over eating and yet wholesome to the palate.    


They are always prepared fresh and their outcomes in taste and flavour rely heavily on the subtleness and balance in the stock soup.   A variety of texture is enhanced by the ingredients chosen to accompany the noodles and soup.   The quality and freshness of the rice noodle strips - Koay Teow - is then the other X Factor.

In Shantou, my group of six fellow travellers and mates came across a really crowded eat shop, with mainly locals concentrating on their individual bowls of piping hot Manna.    Even more lively was the scene around the preparation  - a few really focused staff going about cooking the dish in earnest and amazing silence.   The garnish, cut meats, herbs and seafood were all ready to be used and waiting in bowls.     There was a variety of noodles to be chosen according to the preference of customers - egg versions, rice types and vermicelli.   It was late breakfast time.

The  venue had a wide front, easily two shop fronts.    Winter was not too far away and so the lure of hot soups was obvious.       


A spattering of Teochew and Mandarin languages could be heard.   People came and went, as this was a pit stop on a busy day.    Just like in south-east Asia, there were accompaniments of  cut chilli strips,  Shasha sauce or pounded chilli in oil.     The large containers of boiling water had cooking smoke rising above, adding to the pace of the place.  

I relished in the pieces of seafood, deep fried fish cake, bean sprouts, Capsicums, meat balls, quail eggs, fish balls, blanched cabbage  and more.

The piping hot soups are garnished with garlic oil, coriander, fresh shallots and scallions.

The proof of the pudding, so to speak, is in the stock soup, which is usually made by having an interplay of flavours with pork bones, dried squid and chicken.

Scratch Coffee Co, Port Kembla NSW

On the main thoroughfare of what locals call  "the Port", or Port Kembla, south of Wollongong, a contemporary cafe has been operating near the iconic Tonito's patisserie and opposite the Foundery.   Further down and not far away is the coast and Port Beach.   


Scratch Coffee Co. opens early every day and Duanne is there at the counter with a lively female colleague who is engaging with the customers.  On a first visit, we encountered Peter, often accompanied by a lively child with bright eyes and an enthused personality  - I first got to know them  at a northern suburb cafe.   It is always a pleasure to chat with Peter and his enthusiastic family member.

Peter pointed out the spanking new grinder at the front of the cafe.   It shows the quality of a cafe set up and delivery when you have in-house ground blends and flavours.  Filters, blends, single origins and espressos are available in roasts.   The food offerings that day were limited to cakes and pastries, but they were presented lovingly in a low rise shelf and glassed display.    


The regulars were already there, a lady with a lap top and earnest look in focusing on the internet,  twenty somethings dropping by and a whole potential of the nearby residents.   Bluescope staff work in the nearby adjacent surrounds and in summer, the beach especially attracts weekend visitors.

Your Cuppa provided on ceramic.

I loved the coffee blend that morning - strong, flavourful and with an unusual overlay on the palate.  We could not resist another of Duanne's unique options - espresso served in a waffle.The espresso we requested was bold and infused into the rather strongly textured waffle fold.   


There is a bonus in this kind of serving - the waffle gave me a second chance to saviour the aroma of the espresso.  At the end of it, there is a quality chocolate at the waffle base, from which hints of it came through to the senses the further I finished the coffee.  

Scratch Coffee Co. is located at 9/173-174 Wentworth Street, Port Kembla NSW.
Opening hours are from 630am to 400pm on weekdays and from 800am to 400pm on weekends.
Contact   + 61 410 887 088