I believe that food is an important part of a country’s expression of its cultural identity. I’ve once heard someone ask “What is considered Australian food?”. Unlike other societies with an easily distinguishable cuisine, Australia’s food culture is as diverse as its people. This series will feature food that in our opinion, are nothing short of being Aussie. For today’s blog, it will be all about Australian ‘street food’.
Street Food is defined as “food that is cooked and sold in public places, usually outdoors, to be eaten immediately” (Cambridge Dictionary). If you’re like me who has come from a country in Southeast Asia, you might find the Australian Street Food scene to be quite different. In my opinion, Australian street food are simple but at the same time, creative and of course delicious yet unpretentious.
Food Trucks/Vans
You will see them in parks, community events/festivals, and even at the side of the road. Eating at these food trucks/vans is a must if you would truly like to experience Australia’s street food culture.
Pie Trucks
There’s probably nothing more Australian than a meat pie. Aussies eat an average of 270 million pies in a year (Food Standards Australia & New Zealand). In fact, even a former premier of New South Wales (Bob Carr) described it as ‘Australia’s National Dish’ back in 2003. You can get these iconic savoury pastry treats anywhere in the country. Another meat filled pastry that are well loved here are sausage rolls.
Image source: https://www.goodfood.com.au/harrys-cafe-de-wheels-potts-point/harrys-cafe-de-wheels-20181119-h181v5
What is an Aussie Meat Pie?
An Aussie meat pie is a hand-sized snack with a flaky pastry crust and a rich meaty filling. It’s really just pastry with minced beef and gravy inside. They are always topped with a dead horse (i.e. tomato sauce), but there are a variety of other ‘styles’ that you could try like the famous Tiger Pie (shown above, right) of Cafe de Wheels. It is an Aussie meat pie topped with mashed potato, mushy peas and gravy. The first time I tried a meat pie was so memorable because I burned my mouth! They are very very hot, always hotter than you think so be careful.
What is a Sausage roll?
It’s a popular quick and easy meal option that can be found anywhere that you can buy a meat pie from. It’s another savoury puff pastry treat that has a tube of minced meat inside. This is also usually served with some tomato sauce.
Fish and Chips Trucks
Australia has one of the best seafood in the world so it’s no surprise that among their most beloved food are fish and chips. You would find these trucks/stalls near the beaches. They’d usually have a couple of fish for you to choose from like my favourites, Barramundi, a fish native to Australia and cod. You also have a choice of whether you’d like them battered or crumbed. I believe most prefer their fish with a light crispy batter, I know I do. These are served with a wedge of lemon on the side and both the fish and chips are generously sprinkled with chicken salt. Prior to moving here in Australia, I have never tried chicken salt but I can say that it makes all the difference in anything deep fried.
Dagwood Dog Vans
A Dagwood dog is basically just what Australians call their corn dogs. They are hot dog sausages on stick that are dipped in batter, deep fried, and are then dipped in tomato sauce. These Dagwood Dog vans are always present at any family carnivals or fairgrounds.
Image source: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-10-13/dagwood-dogs-v8-supercars-bathurst/5808684?nw=0
Hot Jam Donuts Van
Also known as the ‘Melbourner’, these hot sweet treats are more commonly found in Victoria, hence the name. I have actually never seen them where I live (somewhere in Central Queensland, at the time of writing) but I have heard of them. I mean, I have seen those jam donuts that they sell in the baked goods section in Woollies but I wouldn’t think that those would compare. Just as the name suggests these doughnuts that are filled with red jam and are eaten hot. They are coated in sugar and are bundled in white paper bags.
Image source: https://www.broadsheet.com.au/melbourne/food-and-drink/secret-history-hot-jam-doughnut
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Ice Cream Trucks
You may see them in parks or if you’re lucky they’d be driving around your neighbourhood. Wherever it may be, I’m sure that you’ll feel excited and crave for an ice cream when you hear their distinct jingle. A very popular one that triggers nostalgic memories for a lot of Australians is Mr. Whippy’s. Listen to it in the video above.
Sausage Sizzle
A sausage sizzle may look simple but it is an iconic Aussie food that seems to be quite an institution. They are a weekend tradition at Bunnings (a popular hardware store here) and are sold for a good cause by different organisations. They are also staples at fundraisers and during elections. Hardware stores aren’t really my type of place but I wouldn’t mind accompanying my husband there on the weekends as long as I get to have a sausage sizzle. You should be careful not to burn your mouth when eating these as they serve it fresh from the barbie.
A classic sausage sizzle has two main ingredients, these are white bread and a cheap beef sausage. Although, grilled onions are usually added alongside with a sauce of your choice. Usually tomato sauce but there are other popular options such as mustard and barbecue sauce. The sausages are barbecued with some onions (they smell heavenly). Once cooked, it is then put in the middle of a folded single slice of white bread.
Servo Food
When on the road, at some point, you would have stop at a service station to fuel your car and if you’re hungry you can also get some servo food to fill yourself up. Servo is the Australian term for service station or petrol station. Their food are usually ‘nutrient-poor’, mostly greasy and are sprinkled with chicken salt but they are some of Australia’s classic ‘street food’.
Chiko Roll
I will be honest here, most people don’t really know what’s inside of these deep fried rolls. And no, unlike what the name suggests, there’s no actual chicken in them. I think it has a similar concept as vegetable egg rolls but the wrapper is a lot thicker than a spring roll pastry. I don’t know how else to describe them but you must try it because it’s almost as Aussie as a pie.
Image source: https://www.just-food.com/news/simplot-eyes-international-markets-for-aussie-brand-chiko_id137920.aspx
Dim Sim
Yes, dim sims not dim sums. Also called ‘dimmies’, these are Australia’s take on Chinese dumplings, siu mai. Just like Chiko rolls, they’re so far from their Chinese counterparts. They’re also filled with minced pork but are a lot bigger in size and the pastry is similar in thickness as that of the Chiko roll’s. I’ve only ever seen them fried but some say that they can be served steamed.
Battered Sav
Let me start by saying that they’re different from Dagwood dogs. They’re deep-fried saveloys that are dipped in batter which is quite a bit thinner and crisper than a Dagwood dog’s. I actually prefer this one more.
Image source: https://keithsfoods.com.au/product/battered-savs/
Chicken Chippies
These are just crumbed processed chicken in a shape of chips, hence the name. These chicken fingers are deep fried and are also sprinkled with chicken salt.
Image source: https://freshnfrozen.com.au/product/chicken-chippies-1-kg-pack/
Works Burger
A classic works burger has everything that you can possibly think of put on it. It has a beef patty, cheese, barbecue sauce, pineapple, lettuce, tomato, beetroot, onion, bacon, and even an egg if you want. This would be the biggest burger that you’ll ever see so get ready for a bit of a messy meal.
Image source: https://www.taste.com.au/recipes/aussie-burgers-lot/12839f5f-138a-4687-a6ba-30988fce0bbd
Aside from these, servos would also have things like meat pies, sausage rolls, fried chicken, battered crab sticks, chips, sandwiches, corn jacks (like a Chiko roll but creamed corn inside) and more.
Street Food Markets
The way I see it, these markets are the modern take on street food in Australia. It’s characterized by loud music and a real mix of vendors with food specialisations from every continent all over the world. If you’re looking for a place that showcases an array of different cuisines, from burgers to something Thai (or a mix of both), then to a street food market is where you’ll go. I have compiled a list of street food markets from some Australian cities that you might like to try.
Image source: https://www.visitperth.com/events/twilight-hawkers-market-perth
Sydney Addison Road Markets Bondi Farmers Markets Paddy's Night Food Markets Melbourne Welcome to Thornbury Hank Marvin Markets Queen Victoria Market Brisbane Boundary Street Markets Eat Street Hobart Street Eats @ Franko Perth Twilight Hawkers' Market Darwin Mindil Beach Sunset Market Adelaide Plant 4
There’s probably more Aussie Street Food that I have not seen yet as it seems to differ a little bit throughout Australia. I think we have covered the main ones pretty well though but if we missed your favourite, please let us know.
Disclaimer All content and information in this post is for purposes of sharing my experiences only, does not constitute professional advice and does not establish any kind of professional-client relationship.
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2 Comments
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