Many people know Eastwood as the place where the Granny Smith Apple was first produced, but it’s also famous as a melting pot of culture in North-West Sydney - and it’s perfect for your next day trip. What makes Eastwood unique is the formation of a bustling Chinatown side to the west of the train line, and vibrant Koreatown to the east. On the traditional land of the Wallumedegal people, a trip to Eastwood today is filled with aromas of East Asian cooking, unique Asian desserts, public art pieces, and some fascinating history.
Travelling to Eastwood is easy via the train line, and with Eastwood Station positioned at the heart of the town centre. Begin your day on the west side with a coffee and breakfast at Chafee House. This cafe overlooks Rowe Street’s Eastwood Plaza which includes an impressive ivy-covered walkway where people can gather in the shade.
This western part of Eastwood has long been known as Eastwood Chinatown. It is filled with many local fresh fruit stores, Chinese groceries, and odd shops, busy at any time of the day. But it’s also home to some favourite Chinese and Taiwanese delicacies.
Milk tea, bubble tea, or boba has long been popular around Sydney, and is a sweet drink originating from Taiwan. In Eastwood, it’s so popular you’re never more than a stone’s throw away from a great boba store. One popular stop is iMUZ, this store is a famous Taiwanese brand and does a range of different teas with many toppings including pearls, jellies and tapioca. It’s also conveniently located in the same places as BreadTop, which is the perfect accompaniment to a milk tea.
Along Rowe Street, you’ll stumble upon many different Chinese restaurants from all different regions of the country. Taste of Shanghai is a famous and very tasty restaurant serving a menu of shareable dishes from northern China - including dumplings, savoury pancake, and their signature whole barramundi. There’s also popular restaurants like Mr Stonebowl, Master BBQ, Savoy Cake, Yiming Steamed Stonepot Fish, and so many others. With so much choice, it can be hard to know where to begin, we recommend choosing one, and planning your next trip to try the rest.
After you’ve enjoyed a meal, you may need something sweet to cleanse the palate. Head across to BlackBall, a Taiwanese dessert shop, specialising in grass jelly desserts which are refreshingly cold, sweet and tasty. Perfect on a hot day as an alternative to ice cream.
Eastwood Library also has a great local destination, towards the station on West Parade. We love the beautiful murals depicting the happy faces of multicultural families. It serves as a great reminder of the privileges of multicultural Sydney, that so many different people call this place home.
Further up from the library you’ll find the heritage listed Eastwood Croquet Club. This club, established in 1935, has beautifully well-maintained lawns and a stunning sandstone pavilion. It’s well worth visiting to have a look, and you may even catch a game of croquet – old-world charm reinvented.
Next, it’s time to head to Koreatown on the east side of the station. Easily cross the trail line via the pedestrian underpass which is painted wall to wall in a beautiful fish mural. Once you emerge from the station, you might notice a shift in decorations. Signs now read “Koreatown” and there are many Korean-style decorations and colours. You’ll also see a wide range of Korean restaurants and grocers.
For an afternoon pick-me-up, don’t miss a coffee and sweet treat at TEN THOUSAND. This minimalist cafe and bakery serves signature cream lattes and freshly made Korean-style pastries including loaded croissants and sweet tarts.
Of course, while you’re here in Koreatown, you’ll need to enjoy a full meal which is not only delicious but also an experience. Many people are familiar with, and thoroughly love Korean BBQ which is where you order a plate of meats, and you cook it yourself on a special in-built barbecue on the table. It’s an excellent shared experience, and you’ll find that many Korean restaurants here offer it. There’s 888 Gogi which is a huge venue that uses charcoal barbecues which make the meat taste deliciously smoky.
There are also a range of other Korean restaurants that specialise in traditional hot pots and other dishes. Park Bong Sook has a great menu of stews, stone pots, and rice bowls - we love the Kimchi stew, a popular dish perfect for anyone who loves a little bit of spice. Korean restaurants are also known for their banchan which are side dishes. Complimentary to any order, you’ll enjoy a taste of several other dishes made by the kitchen - these dishes vary from restaurant to restaurant, but your one guarantee is a serving of kimchi.
For dessert, visit La Vigne Bakery which not only does fresh Korean pastries, but they are also famous for their Bingsu, which is a popular Korean shaved ice dessert with fruity flavours. A terrific sharing dessert that will have you completely obsessed.
A day out in Eastwood will have you filled to the brim with tasty food and drink, there’s no other way about it. We love that within a few blocks, you can travel throughout East Asia through the sights and aromas. And though it’s busy during the day, you may also want to experience even more atmosphere and more choices of street food and delights. If that’s you, visit the weekly Eastwood Night Markets held from 4-10pm every Saturday on Rowe Street West. Be part of the hustle and bustle and get out and explore Eastwood. It’s a little holiday right in your very own backyard.