Yes. We did just have a roast dinner.
Yes. My stomach does have a very short memory.
Which is why, after some aimless and protracted meandering of the streets after dinner, Chocolatesuze and I inexplicably find ourselves heading towards Chinatown.
In search of roti.
"Rotiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii" trills Suze, with a crazed look in her eye.
Except we arrive at Mamak to find the floor being swept and the counter being wiped clean.
Our shoulders slump in defeat until I utter "congee" and "Superbowl". And then "deep-fried bread!". That really gets Suze's attention.
Plain congee $5.90
Because is congee not the cure for all evils? The Chinese version of chicken soup for when you're sick or under the weather? Or perhaps sad because you've missed out on late night roti?
There are plenty of families gathered at Superbowl at 10pm on a weeknight. What's common to all tables is a huge bowl of congee and golden sticks of deep-fried bread.
We shared a large bowl of the plain congee, not as bland as you'd think, the soft-cooked rice porridge boosted by pork stock. And the kind waiter might even bring you a small dish of chopped shallots if you ask very nicely.
And Suze, who is determined to christen our congee with a smiley face, gets to work with the bottle of soya sauce. I doubted her, but I stand corrected. It is possible to make soy eyes and a soy smile.
Yu tiaou fried bread $2.80 per serve
(2 serves pictured)
The best part is the fried yu tiaou or yau ja gwai.
Often described as a savoury doughnut, it is all this and more. The crunchy batons with their crossiant-like fluffiness are perfect tools for dipping into the thick salty porridge.
There isn't one smiley face at this table, but three.
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Super Bowl Chinese Restaurant
41 Dixon Street, Chinatown Haymarket, Sydney
Tel: +61 (02) 9281 2462
Open 7 days 8am-2am
Unlicensed BYO, Corkage $2 Person
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Super Bowl Dixon Street-May09, Jul06, Nov04 and Oct04
Congee, one of the ultimate comfort foods. Have you tried it with vegemite ? Works quite well :), though save it for when you are REALLY sick and can't be bothered chewing heh.
ReplyDeleteahh cheap cheap! altho i do owe you lol ill buy you white apple next time! (next time there will be roti oh yes)
ReplyDeleteShort and sweet. Nice :)
ReplyDeleteThis seems like a popular late night hangout due to their late closing time, decent food at a reasonably cheap price. It seems almost anyone I know goes there just for the congree.
Nice work from chocolatesuze with the smiley face too :)
Here's my dilemma: Superbowl has great congee, but it's not the most hygienic place and the service is shite. But it's always packed, so it should be okay, shouldn't it?
ReplyDeletei had congee for lunch after hearing about your late night exploits. it was good, but nothing on the good ol' plain congee at superbowl.
ReplyDelete(and hear hear! re the vegemite option. ultimate sickness remedy)
Even though it's a little dodgy, it's great how there's always the option to go to Superbowl when you're out & about late in the evening!
ReplyDeleteoh I LOVE congee. I have never been, but must rectify that asap, because fried dough sticks and congee are my favourite.
ReplyDeleteSuper Bowl is one of my foodie sacred places in Sydney, I think the seediness adds to its attraction and harkens back to the old days when Chinatown was a really dodgey place to be, my favourite congee is the salty pork and century egg combo but yes, the white pepper and the fried dough really makes it!
ReplyDeleteHi Howard - Ha, congee with Vegemite is one of my sister's favourites :) I actually had congee tonight - a simple homemade version using up the last of the roast chicken and a handful of shallots. No yu tiaou alas :(
ReplyDeleteHi chocolatesuze - lol. I am sure there will be roti! We must induct you into the world of Mamak!
Hi Simon - I did doubt Suze. A soy smiley face? Impossible. But Suze proved me wrong. It was a mad flurry of photos before the smiley face sank though!
Hi Belle - Ahh who knows what goes on behind any closed door! And lack of service is part of the appeal in Chinatown. Any friendlier and I'd start to worry! lol
Hi Shez - lol. I was thinking about the sanpan congee actually but considering it was our 2nd meal for the night, we settled on plain. More room for deep fried bread sticks, I say!
Hi Betty - Oh yes, who wants a kebab when you can have a great big bowl of congee. So comforting and nourishing. Yum :)
Hi Lili - Oh you must go. And soon! They're open til late :)
Hi YaYa - I agree, I'm a bit worried about all the development currently happening in Chinatown at the moment. I hope it doesn't lose its sense of history and its wonderful soul.
I do love century egg too, although it's always better at home because then you can be extremely generous with the portioning of egg :)
Heartily agree Helen, for me, it's one egg for me in my bowl and everyone else can look after themselves!
ReplyDeleteWait, has this happened after the roast dinner??? LOL
ReplyDeleteHi YaYa - I've been sick so I've been eating congee all weekend. Might have to get some century eggs tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteHi Yas - lol. Coming from Mr-3-dishes-for-lunch-at-Ichi-Ban-Boshi? lol. I think we have much to learn from you :)
Superbowl congee - life saver and cure for all evils present at 1am on a Friday or Saturday night ;) I love their meaty chilli oil with the congee too. Could totally do with some now!
ReplyDeleteHi Forager - Ahh yes, congee is indeed the cure for all evils. It's been great weather for it too. Cold, sick, hungover, hungry - it cures it all!
ReplyDelete