David’s Kitchen: Asian Cuisine, CBD Sydney (7 Aug, 10 Sept 2012)

320-324 Pitt Street, Sydney NSW 2000

or via 233 Castlereagh Street, Sydney NSW 2000

One stop Asian lunch spot

Thanks to a reader recommendation by R.S. on my Laksa post I've now discovered the original David's Kitchen in the Telstra building. I used to be a regular at David's Kitchen under the Colonial Centre building at Martin Place but since the beginning of the year haven't enjoyed their dishes as much. I found out David sold this place about 9 months ago to new owners so hence the difference in cooking style. Apparently the one located in the Telstra building was the original shop which I've never known about until now and has been running for over a decade. The Hai Nan Chicken Rice ($8.50) comes with a generous amount of chicken which is moist, tender and silky as hoped with minimal bones. Unfortunately only steamed rice was available at the time and the ginger shallot mix is overly salty and there's no chilli or side soup supplied but the chicken itself is a winner and one of the better ones around town. The Hai Nan Chicken Laksa ($9) is good value and the laksa broth has a decent amount of depth. I think I still prefer the Malay-Chinese version which also has better spongy tofu for soaking up the soup. For a cheap lunch grab an extra bowl and share with someone. On a return visit (10 Sept 2012) I try the generous Har Mee ($10) with decent flavour and comes with four large deveined prawns, char siu and a fried egg. I'd happily order again for a Har Mee fix although for intensity of prawn flavour nothing has come close to Singapore Shiok which reminds me I must revisit again. To get to David's Kitchen you can enter via Pitt Street or Castlereagh street.

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Reasonably priced, Tender and silky chicken, The original owner of David's Kitchen is here, Fair amount of seating available

CONS: Ginger and shallot condiment is overly salty, Hai Nan chicken didn't come with a side soup

MUST TRY: Hai Nan Chicken Laksa combo simply for the value, Har Mee

VERDICT: A great find for an Asian lunch time fix

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Hai Nan Chicken Rice ($8.50)
WORTH TRYING :-)

Bone factor not too bad

Hai Nan Chicken Laksa ($9)
WORTH TRYING :-)

Tofu not as spongy and soft as Malay-Chinese

Har Mee ($10)
WORTH TRYING :-)

Fried egg instead of the usual boiled egg I usually see

Peak hour lunch crowd

Late lunch time

The man himself keeping the lunch crowd happy

Hai Nan special order menu

Soup menu

Fried rice and noodle menu

Thai menu

Menu

Food court seating

Previous David's Kitchen located under Colonial Centre 52 Martin Place which was sold but they've retained the name

Entry option 1: 320-324 Pitt Street

Entry option 2: 233 Castlereagh Street

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