Sydney Eat Street: Inner-west suburb of Burwood a top spot for Lunar New Year treats

If you are looking to celebrate Lunar New Year over a snack or a feast with friends then this inner-west Sydney suburb has to be on the list.

With 50 hawker-style food stalls set amongst vibrant neon signs and vibrant murals,

Burwood Chinatown precinct is always worth a visit, but never more so than during Lunar New Year.

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UNCLE BIRD

Every culture has a handful of go-to takeaway foods, but Taiwan’s gua bao, a soft bun with pork belly, is on the podium. But it just might be Uncle Bird’s version of Grandma’s slow-braised pork belly with pickles, garlic, ground peanuts and coriander taking the win.

The generously-filled bun symbolises an overflowing money purse, promising prosperity going forward.

Pork belly bao bun at Uncle Bird. Picture: Jenifer Jagielski

These buns also go by another name – “tiger bites pig” – as the loaded bun looks like a tiger’s mouth chomping down on pork.

In addition to Uncle Bird’s signature pork belly bao, there are plenty more bun fillings, including original fried chicken and soft-shell crab. You can also opt for the slightly softer charcoal bun.

GROUND FLOOR, SHOP 15B, 127-133 BURWOOD RD, CLARENDON PLACE, BURWOOD; UNCLEBIRD.COM.AU

MOYASHI

Besides the fireworks, parades and red packets, one of the most important aspects of the Lunar New Year celebrations is dinner with family and friends.

Formal meals may work for some, but for something more engaging, get the gang together for shabu shabu (Japanese hot pot).

Hotpot at Moyashi with Wagyu beef. Picture: Jenifer Jagielski

You’ll come off with extra prosperity points when you head to Moyashi, where you can have unlimited servings of wagyu and all the fixings to add to your boiling vegetable broth.

The wagyu sirloin (100g) buffet with all sides, sodas, dessert, a king prawn, and a scallop is $68pp.

LEVEL 1, SHOP 112 & 113, 127/133 BURWOOD RD, BURWOOD, MOYASHI.COM.AU

KWAFOOD FRIED SKEWER

When you’re not in the mood for a full feast but still feeling peckish, then Kwafood Fried Skewer should be your next stop. Sitting on the refrigerated shelves are single skewers from calamari to corn and everything in between.

The objective? Grab a plastic basket, big or little, pick whatever strikes your fancy – such as the crunchy chicken fillet or chicken tenders (five skewers for $4.85) or go (really) small with single pieces of green capsicum, eggplant, and cauliflower.

Don’t miss these treats at Kwafood Fried Skewer. Picture: Jenifer Jagielski

Once you’re happy with your plate, take it to the counter, where it’s deep-fried and slathered in a spicy or savoury sauce. Come for a snack and then see where the skewers take you.

K11 MURRAY PLACE ARCADE, 127/133 BURWOOD RD

LELESU

Flaky pastries with a shiny glaze and sweet or savoury fillings are always a treat, so just imagine the delight when you show up for dinner with a box full of lotus egg yolk, black sesame, and red bean ones.

The best pastries are at Lelesu. Picture: Jenifer Jagielski

To secure your spot as BFF, be sure to include a King Pastry. Loaded with red bean, salted yolk, and pork floss, it practically tastes like prosperity.

GROUND FLOOR, SHOP 11, 127-133 BURWOOD RD, CLARENDON PLACE, BURWOOD; BURWOODCHINATOWN.COM.AU

CHA DIM HOUSE

Owner Tsz Wan Lui has stepped away from loud rooms and roaming trolleys at Cha Dim House. Tsz has all your favourite dim sim items ready to take home, such as egg tart, siu mai, cha siu bao (barbecue pork-filled bun), and cheong fun (rice noodle roll).

Great sweet treats can be found at Cha Dim House. Picture: Jenifer Jagielski

A must-add, though, at this time of year is the auspicious sweet rice cake, nian gao. It’s a simple sweet cake made with glutinous rice, water and sugar that gets pan-fried, but it’s the words that matter on this dish as nian gao roughly means “getting higher each year”, thus prosperity.

Tsz Wan Lui adds that it’s also customary to bring this cake (and other sweets) when visiting family and friends. So you’re on a winner whichever way you go.

GROUND FLOOR, SHOP 7A 127-133 BURWOOD RD, CLARENDON PLACE, BURWOOD