Light and Easy

Ever since I was introduced to tea-infused cuisine in Kuala Lumpur earlier this year (refer to my posting "Catching Up, Three and More"), I have been eagerly looking forward to lighter, less oily and still tasty meals served with a kick to the palate. I recall the long beans and chicken servings, with the light aromatic infusion of oolong tea, with the refreshing feeling leaving the Purple Cane Restaurant in the heart of Kualla Lumpur's Chinatown.

It has not been easy to do so in Australia, with the summery barbeque stuff on the grill, the southern Chinese courses that can leave a certain thirst in the middle of the night and the bacon and egg blends of breakfasts at cafes here.

Then I remembered the unique Chinese and Korean dishes prepared at Towon along a quiet side of Victoria Avenue in Chatswood, north of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.   I had a recent opportunity to partake some dishes there, which offered a change from the stereotypes of udon, sizzling beef plates and kimchi.   Instead my group of seven persons, from Carlingford, Auckland and Wollongong, dived into peppered chicken and pork fillets, seafood-laced tofu and Sichuan flavoured king prawns that stood apart from the normal perception - and taste of Chinese cooking.  Even the northern Chinese roast duck with wraps was a world apart from Beijing duck - it was afforded a different lean and mean twist.

There were two menus available, labelled simply as Chinese or Korean. Towon is no tea-infused place. However, the good taste was not accompanied by a dose of unhealthy ingredients and flavourings. What was rich admittedly is the dessert range, from deep fried ice cream to toffee bananas.

Festival Fridge

Festive Baubles

When in Wollongong

Tramps, the store for men on Crown Street Mall, offers unique branded underwear and footwear. It is not surprising to be able to pick up Bjorn Borg and Diesel wear priced in the AUD50 range on the ground floor.
The sales staff have an Italian background and flair about them, and my experience is that they are very attentive to detail when you speak to them about purchasing a suit.

Wollongong Waves - Ceiling of Crown Street Mall Centre

The Body Shop outlet at the same mall exudes the enthusiasm and consistency for customer experience from its UK headquarters. There is always a constant effort to provide new variety, not just in products, but also in packaging, combinations and display.  This time around, they offer Japanese themed cherry blossom flavours in not just bath room toiletries but also in an expanding range of aromatics.  You can consider buying in various combinations that can cost from ten to a hundred dollars - hence the greater fun in choice and shopping.

Surprising Wollongong

The David Jones store for clothing is just too packed out and seriously requires a move to bigger quarters. Sometimes an enterprising busker or two position themselves outside the dark wallls of this store - the last I saw was an engaging guy singing his rendtions on a guitar. The Cino Cafe, just across the lane. but also facing the mall, offers a respite from the outside elements, make available a range of delicious cakes and offers a cosy retreat from the everyday.  Its mostly young staff are lean and busy.  Try the flourless gluten-free orange cake in this cafe  if you are next on Crown Street Mall.

(The writer writes afar from his adopted town of Wollongong, and declares he has no shares or monetary benefit in any of the businesses mentioned in this article)

Gatherings

Penang style pohpiah (fresh veg cuts with chilli paste, bean flavoured garnish and hoi sin sauce all inside a thin

wrap)

From top, clockwise: Aussie Helliers choc lollies, news eason red nectarines, honey murcott mandarins,

Straits Chinbese angkoo (yellow bean filling in a red dough) and apricots.

Garden lights to celebrate the Mooncake Festival and 20 years in Australia