Bizarre Foods Sydney: Your Stop-by-Stop Unusual Asian Delicacies Hop

Sydneysiders won’t hesitate to defend their favourite dumpling house or that hole-in-the-wall pho joint; Asian food remains one of Australia's go-to cuisines across the board. While joints like Chat Thai and Misschu make most go-to lists, these mainstream superstars often overshadow Sydney's tinier yet authentic spots.

This weekend, instead of playing it safe, try some of the more unusual Asian delicacies that hide in so many storefronts. Not sure where to look? We've planned a full night of the best bizarre yet delectable dishes for the more adventurous among you. These plates won't only shock your Facebook friends, they’ll also give your tastebuds the excitement they've been missing.

First Stop: Chinatown Night Markets

What to eat: Lamb & Cumin stall — lamb kidney sticks ($9.75 for 5 sticks)

This weekly market isn’t just a great way to eat roti but avoid the massive queues at Mamak. The white tents that pop up along Dixon Street every Friday offer a festive way to kick off the weekend and a perfect start to your bizarre foods trail. While the crowd at the Lamb & Cumin stall may gather for their namesake skewers, the more adventurous stomach should try the juicy and spicy lamb kidney. Chilli dry-rubbed and charcoal-grilled to order, these tiny organs are an easy starter since they really just taste like — you guessed it — lamb.

Stalls change slightly each week, so be sure to take a good look around for anything unfamiliar, as the uncommon is often hidden among more mainstream dishes.

Dixon and Little Hay Streets, Haymarket; Fridays 5pm-10pm; www.chinatownmarkets.com.au

Second Stop: Market City

What to eat: Taste of Cho — spicy beef shin and pigs ear salads ($2 small; $5 large)

It is no surprise that this Asian megacentre houses some of the most unique delicacies in Sydney. For a cheap and easily digestible option, the Taste of Cho stand piles its counter with spicy salads containing meats like beef shin and pig's ear. While ear may not normally be on your to-eat list, the line of eager and hungry patrons should give you a sense of its deliciousness. The bright red chillies and crunchy chives make each bite an explosion of flavour and complement the uniformly tender and thinly sliced meat. These salads should be taken to go and eaten on the way to your next food hop stop.

9-13 Hay Street, Haymarket; Mon – Sun from 10am; www.marketcity.com.au

Third Stop: Eating World Food Court

What to eat: Red Charcoal — Ox heart ($1.5) and beef tendon ($2); Soya Kitchen – pig's feet ($9.30)

Chinatown gourmet served in a food hall; Haymarket's food courts offer some of the most authentic and unusual dishes Sydney has to offer. With options including crocodile, soft chicken bones, pork chittering and Indonesian offal (an organ mash-up), it is impossible to exhaust your bizarre choices here. The most delicious among the peculiar is easily Red Charcoal’s beef tendon, which taste like handmade noodles on a stick.  Feeling a little Temple of Doom? Try the spicy ox heart, the tastiest way to sound cool and virile.

For a meatier option, the pig's feet at Soya Kitchen is succulent and slow cooked. The fatty feet are mixed in a thick sauce of juicy mushrooms or fermented red bean, both of which add a distinctive richness. It is served with seaweed in clear broth, a perfect palate cleanser before continuing on this food trail.

25-59 Dixon Street, Haymarket; Mon – Sun 10am-10pm

Fourth Stop: Restaurants Galore

By now, your stomach has been properly coated and is ready for a crazy main course. While you probably can't hit all of these restaurants in a night, a choice of any one will be enough to satisfy both your appetite and your curiosity.

Taiwan Ganbei

What to eat: salt and pepper crispy pork intestines ($12.80)

Dixon Street is lined with restaurants, but Taiwan Ganbei is a clear standout. It's often packed with locals and the menu offers a variety of exceptional organ dishes, among them the shredded pigs ear with chilli ($5.50).  A side of warm steamed rice nicely balances the snappy, cold ear. For a truly sensational dish, try the salt and pepper crispy pork intestine; crusted and stuffed with green onions and herbs, the heavily spiced dish cuts through the richness of the organ. Of course, there is no better complement to a plate of intestines than an ice cold can of Taiwanese beer ($4.50).

52 Dixon St, Haymarket; Mon – Thurs 11.30am – 10pm; Fri – Sat 11.30am – 12am; Sun 11.30am – 10pm; (02) 9212 2220

Two Sticks

What to eat: pork blood jelly with chives ($4.80)

Move away from the Dixon Street bustle at this new George Street favourite.  The bright yellow, Yunnan style restaurant has mirrored walls that give the tiny treasure an expansive illusion.  The chef’s speciality, rice noodle soup ($13.80 regular; $9.80 mini pot) is the crowd pleaser here, but the entrée menu is what you’re after.  For a truly peculiar taste test, the pork blood jelly is one of the most unusual dishes you’re likely to eat in Sydney.  The extremely rich jelly melts in your mouth while the spicy, oil based sauce awakens your nasal passages. This starter is appetizing in its oddity and is a must try on this food tour.

694 George Street, Haymarket; Mon – Sun 11.30am – late

Chinatown Noodle King

What to eat: stir fried pork tripe ($13.80)

Don’t let the touristy name fool you, this classic noodle house is cooking up some very authentic Chinese food. The exposed kitchen is known for their huge dumpling portions ($10.80) and handmade noodles ($4 — $14.80), but the menu is home to some bizarre classics like boiled duck giblets ($7.80) and ox tripe with sesame and peanut butter sauce ($10.80). The best among these is the stir-fried pork tripe; shoe string sliced tripe and veggies are doused in soy sauce and served piping hot. A second helping of stomach for your stomach? You’ll be surprised how easily you say "yes please!"

357 Sussex Street, Sydney City; Mon – Sun 11am-10.30pm

Last Stop: Dessert Finale

What to eat: Old Town — deep fried egg white with durian ($16 for 6 pieces)

The only way to end an evening of food curiosity is with some rare dessert. Look no further than this Hong Kong restaurant where their durian desserts will leave an unusual taste in your mouth. Though generally unpleasant to the nostrils, this funky fruit is a staple throughout most Asian cuisines. Old Town's desserts are well conceived with combinations that mask the smell while bringing out that interesting durian flavour — this ranges from durian milkshakes ($6.50) to durian pudding ($8.50) and pancakes ($8). The most bizarre-tasting is the deep fried egg white with durian; a pink peep-like concoction, the slightly off-taste of the durian is balanced by the soft, fluffy egg white. You may not want to go in for the kiss after eating this dessert, but it is the perfect way to conclude your night out with the strange.

10A Dixon Street, Haymarket, Mon – Sun lunch 11am-4pm; dinner 4pm-2am; www.oldtownhongkongcuisine.com.au