By George! Food-tripping in Sydney!

Join the Paranoid Traveler as she discovers some of the best budget bites to be found in Sydney, Australia. Warning: You may get hungry by the time you reach the end of this article...

Let’s face it. Sydney is an expensive city including the food and though we may live without buying another koala bear key holder, we can’t do without eating. And we can’t eat at McDonald’s and KFC the whole time just to save money either. Don’t even bother with the cold bland sandwiches at the convenience stores. (That’s money straight down the drain.) Fortunately, there is an alternative to eating on a budget.

But first off, let’s clarify what we mean by budget. The meals featured here costs AUS$21 and below per person ($1=PhP41 roughly). Convert that to peso and you might wonder if I need to buy a new dictionary. But you know the golden rule in traveling: never convert! This is cheap, by Sydney’s and more so, by Central Business District standards. Besides, they’re worth it with their generous servings and size so let’s head down George Street!

Copyright Photo: The Paranoid Traveler/PFN

Noodles Your Way

World Square Mall, 644 George Street

A friend once told me, “When traveling, you can always count on Chinese food as it's filling (i.e. they serve rice) and cheap.” This advice has served me well in all my travels. Noodles Your Way offers a satisfying Taiwanese rice meal with two dishes of your choice for $11.50. It’s even cheaper when you come after 9 p.m.

Nando’s

World Square Mall, 644 George Street

Beside Noodles Your Way is the international franchise that I am still waiting to open in Manila. Nando’s offers Portuguese flame-grilled peri-peri chicken. I am such a fan that before traveling each time, I try to find out if the country I’m going to has a branch. A quarter chicken with spicy rice is $10.40 but if you opt for the Portuguese roll, it’s only $7.40.

Copyright Photo: The Paranoid Traveler/PFN

Sydney Pork Rolls

627 George Street

I have never been a fan of Vietnamese food but all that changed when I tried the pork rolls at Sydney Pork Rolls. I even still dream about it. From the photo, you can see all the fresh ingredients included as well as its unbeatable price of $4.50! The sourdough bread is big and filling that I always have a portion left for snack afterwards.

Copyright Photo: The Paranoid Traveler/PFN

Shinara

338 Pitt Street

Parallel to George Street is Pitt Street where I chanced upon Shinara, a Korean buffet grill restaurant. For lunch, it’s only $10 but double the price at dinner because there’s the all-you-can-eat meat for grilling. Unlimited rice and kimchi (naturally) are served.

Copyright Photo: The Paranoid Traveler/PFN

Phillip's Foote

101 George Street, The Rocks

Now that we have probably saved enough from our budget eating, let’s splurge a little. Let’s head back to George Street and reward ourselves with some sumptuous steaks at Phillip’s Foote where you season and grill the steak yourself! Be ready to spend; just make it up with a generous helping of bread, rice, corn, veggies and fruits from the fresh salad and fruit bar.

With all this affordable eating in Sydney, I am now afraid to step on my weighing scale but then again, who cares? Life is short! Pass the salt, please! 

Traveler's Notes:

Currently, there are only two airlines operating service out of Sydney to the Philippines.

• Philippine Airlines operates four weekly flights to/from Manila
• Qantas operates four weekly flights to/from Manila

Often what can be frustrating and limiting for Filipinos travelling abroad is the steep cost of accommodation in some foreign countries. However, Sydney does have a selection of affordable hotel options including:

• Capitol Square Hotel
• Rendezvous Studio Hotel
• Travelodge Sydney Hotel