Inside Adelaide’s food courts: The best kept secrets
ADELAIDE’S culinary landscape is ever-expanding, meaning we have no shortage of top spots to explore when hunger strikes.
But sometimes, you just want something cheap and simple.
And where do you get that? The food court.
Yes, they can be slightly depressing and can have a lot of average food stands, many of which still take cash only.
But they are also full of hidden gems, after-2pm discounts and interesting people.
Sophie Perri went wandering to compile this ultimate guide to the city’s nine major food courts
Chinatown: International Food Plaza, 85 Moonta St and Market Plaza food court, Adelaide Central Market, Grote St
AFFECTIONATELY referred to as the “old” and “new” food courts of Chinatown.
The International Food Plaza (the old one) is a no-frills zone, with simple seating and a few quirks such as the fish tank and massage chairs located inside the entrance.
Of course, it’s about the food, and if you’re looking for cheap Asian fare this is the place to get it.
Wong Kee Daily Yum Cha gets hit reviews for their dumplings, while Kim’s BBQserves up quality Korean cuisine.
Across the path at the new food court, which is almost overwhelming with its abundance of large picture menus, be sure to check out Seng Kee Yum Cha, Pure Vegetarian and Laksa House.
Renaissance Arcade, 21 Pulteney St
IT feels like this hidden Asian food hub belongs to the city’s uni students.
It has TVs, separate dining spaces and even an atrium. Packed out at lunchtime, the arcade has that traditional cafeteria vibe (it actually used to have a self-serve area in the ‘90s) though quite a few of the spots are separate, dine-in eateries.
This includes the popular Malaysian spot NanYang (the owners’ son Eddy now runs Singapore-style eatery Kopi & Kitchen at City Cross), Zen Kitchen (known for its cracking banh mi), Steam & Stew and Chefs of Tandoori Express (an Indian restaurant from Malvern). Pass the mini-restaurants and you’ll venture into stall territory, where you’ll find everything from sushi to Korean cuisine and Thai fusion flavours.
Popular vegan spot Vegetarian Garden — best known for its laksa — has been there for 16 years but get in quick, because it’s closing in December.
City Cross, 33-39 Rundle Mall
THIS is arguably the city’s most eclectic food court and a firm favourite for city workers.
Light and airy, the place has an open feel to it and is always packed during the lunch rush. It’s full of old favourites such as Five Star Yiros (food courts can have a reputation for average yiros places but this one really lives up to its name) and franchises such as Sumo Salad, Subway, Hungry Jack’s, Oporto and the new Mexican eatery Mad Mex.
Chinatown food court favourite Joy of India has recently moved in, as has poutine specialist Quebec Fries.
The most eye-catching eatery is the new Singaporean street food cafe Kopi & Kitchen, which has window seating and a look inspired by British colonial architecture, just like the coffee shops in Singapore.
Owner Eddy has been at the helm for four months. His chicken curry is the most requested dish, making up half his sales.
Southern Cross Arcade, 52-62 King William St
THIS can be an easy food court to bypass but plenty of little gems are scattered here. Seriously underrated.
Most of the flavours here are Asian, except for Price’s Bakery, Eurolls (which sells house-made soups, baked potatoes and sandwiches with gluten-free bread) andRomano’s, where all the pasta sauces and pizzas are made fresh by owner Clelia Romano. BB Steak House (fronted by Alex, who was a chef at a five star restaurant in Korea) and Ricky’s Kitchen (famous for its chicken rice) do made-to-order dishes so the usual heat lamps we’ve come to know from food courts are a no-show here.
Ricky’s, the only stall with an electronic ticket system, originally opened in the Chinatown food court. It’s still there, but has been under different ownership for the past five years.
Further around the bend, Ramprakash, owner of Walkerville restaurant Chennai Palace, has taken over Indian eatery Naan Tandoori. Koi Kitchen is also a gem for its $2 to $2.50 sushi and seriously delicious chicken and rice bowls for $5. About 100 are sold each day.
Owner Meihua Zhang and her daughter Hui Hu are Chinese but have stuck to Japanese cuisine as set by the previous owner. Have a look at the menu though, and you’ll see an old honey chicken listing has been replaced with Meihua’s homemade specialty, a fried egg, tomato and rice dish. She couldn’t help herself.
Dine Central, Adelaide Central Plaza, 100 Rundle Mall
THE David Jones basement has had a makeover and now boasts slick new seating and phone charging stations.
Its location, however, means food can get on the pricier side of the scale. Here, you’ll find Asian flavours from places including Roshan’s (which has been serving up Malaysian, Chinese and Thai street food for 16 years) and sushi spot Genki Roll, best known for its chicken and avocado sushi and gluten-free options.
There’s also a Sumo Salad, Sandwich Chefs (also at Myer food court) and separate cafes Signore’s and Bar 9.
Food Underground, The Myer Centre, 22 Rundle Mall
THIS is another food basement that has undergone an overhaul, though more in an aesthetic sense — most of the businesses here haven’t changed in years.
One of the best, and oldest, spots is Roco Pasta, which does a delicious spinach and ricotta ravioli (the price goes from $8 to $5 after 3pm, making it worthy of saving for dinner) and freshly made pizzas.
Even Lord Mayor Martin Haese counts himself as a fan — owner Matt Sabeti says he often comes by for the tortellini.
Sabeti used to work at Rundle St Turkish restaurant Ottoman’s in the ‘90s, but has been at Roco for more than a decade.
Mexican food stand Michael’s Cantina has also been around for more than 10 years, serving up tacos, burritos, enchiladas, nachos and fajitas. For a good Thai green curry or crispy chicken dish, visit adjoining stalls Asian Delights and Thai Cuisine.
For dumplings and house-made custard tarts, hit up Yum Cha Hut. Sandwich Chefsis known for its roast meals.
77 food hall, Rundle Place, 77-91 Rundle Mall
SLICK and shiny, the city’s newest food court is full of more big names than independents. There’s Bing Boy (which is in quite a few of the other food courts),Salsa’s, Fasta Pasta, Soonta and Subway, as well as Rheinland Bakery and T Bar.
For burgers and poutine, hit up Burger Addiction, or for yiros and baked potatoes, visit Yiros Plus.
Taki Sushi sells summer rolls — similar to cold rolls but with meats and mixed salads instead of noodles and coriander — omu (Japanese omelet) rice bowls and tempura sushi, a deep fried battered sushi served warm.
Citi Centre Arcade, cnr Rundle Mall and Pulteney St
THIS is one of the smaller, quieter food courts in town that is probably due for a makeover. Most people are likely to have made their way through it for theMcDonald’s and Wendy’s but the tiny hole-in-the-wall businesses winding around to the Hindmarsh Square entrance also draw a crowd during peak hours.
Arena Coffee and Juice Lab has coffee as cheap as $3, salads and rolls filled to the brim with fresh ingredients.
No sorry-looking sandwiches in cling wrap here. Some may recognise owner Pep Arena from his former juice and gelati bar, Fresh on Rundle, which was located outside of Foot Locker in the mall.
Other highlights of the court include Master Chef Indian Tandoori (which sells $7 butter chicken and $6 samosa chaat), Soya Kitchen for its rice bowls, and The King of Sandwich.
“HERE, $5 special,” calls out Chaoying, the small but feisty woman behind the counter of Chinese food stall Shanghai Cuisine.
Some walk by, others succumb to the offer and grab a blue and white flower-patterned plate to pile with all the noodles, rice, spring rolls and chicken the dish can hold.
It’s a hard sell, working at a food court. As the city’s culinary scene grows and customers’ appetites change, competition is as strong as ever.
Chaoying is feeling it. Though her self-serve stall at the Chinatown’s International Food Plaza is one of the more popular ones (customers love the wonton soup and Shanghai-style pork), times are still tough.
“I’ve been here 16 years,” she says.
“There was a time where you couldn’t get a table in here. Now there is more competition and rent is high, so business isn’t good. I’m looking at selling by the end of the year. If no one wants to buy it, I will close it.
“I have two grandchildren — I need to look after them.”
A uni student who has been quietly filling up his plate stops to turn back and talk to Chaoying.
“You said business isn’t good?” he says, looking concerned.
He shakes his head and Chaoying pats his back with a smile.
The student, Stanje Mgenge, is one of Chaoying’s most devout customers.
“She’s a good woman,” he says.
Mgenge, who hails from Kenya, came to Adelaide last year to study mechanical engineering. Since meeting Chaoying, he’s become a regular customer and makes sure to visit whenever he’s in the city.
“She’s been like my mum away from home because the first time I came here in Australia I was living with my brother and he was not too financially stable. He was looking after me and had to pay the rent and didn’t have money to feed me as well.
“So when I came to this lady she just asked me, ‘why do you look sad?’ and I told her, ‘I want to eat but I don’t have money’ … and she’s always offered me food.
“It was one of the best acts I saw in Australia, so every time I have a dollar, I’d rather come and spend it on someone who helps me.
“She’s awesome.”
For students like 25-year-old Mgenge, the food court is a place to fill up on the go for a thrifty price.
“This is where I can afford my food,” he says.
“And see,” he smiles, gesturing to the dish in front of him. “I have a full plate.”
– By Sophie Perri
Source: Adelaide Now - The City, Sophie Perri, 2nd September 2015
Originally published as: Inside Adelaide’s food courts: The best kept secrets
