Niko Niko was a tip off from a friend of mine who reckons it's a good place for cheap eats. The Bureaucrat and I checked it out one Friday night. The place was busy with young families and local Tafe students.
Despite the name Niko Niko sounding more Japanese, the menu is Chinese. The menu was split between stand alone rice and noodle dishes as well as dishes which one shares around the table. The Bureaucrat and I decided on stand alone individual dishes and forego the sharing.
I ordered the Yang Chow fried rice ($9). I wasn't sure what I was expecting but what was served was a heaping place of fried rice with a few prawns and spring onions throughout. It does not sound enticing and truth be told, it didn't look very appetising either. But surprisingly, it was very tasty. It had a lovely "wok hai" throughout. It was the perfect comfort food on a wintery cold night.
I had major food envy as I watched the girl on the next table tuck into her stir fried beef noodles with soy sauce. I made a commitment to come back for it. And I did. Here is the evidence. The beef was tender which was a relief. I was a bit worried it would be chewy. Not bad for lunch under a tenner.
The proprietress recommended the Cantonese beef with rice. This was under a tenner and apparently one of their signature dishes. The beef was tender with a lovely black pepperyness. I can understand the appeal.
This was the miss of the bunch. It was twice cooked rice with chicken and Chinese sausage. It was a bit bland despite tub of soy sauce to pour on top. I couldn't discern any real difference with the rice being twice cooked. Maybe I'm a philistine. Also the chicken was hacked into knobbly bits which I find disconcerting. I like to recognise what part of the chook I am partaking in.
But my absolute favourite was the slow cooked pork belly with preserved vegetables. Doesn't sound appealing but it but melts in your mouth. It was simultaneously sweet and salty. Love.
Verdict: We loved it.
Overall: I anticipate I will be a repeat offender at Niko Niko. Cheap eats, good quality of food and quick service.
2 comments:
Oooh yeah that does look good! The seafood dish especially. I'll have to stop and try it next time :D
The Cantonese beef is 👌🏼 as well!
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