We recently discovered an amazing Korean restaurant in Campsie called Chungdam, and honestly, we’ve already been back so many times since our first visit.
From the moment you walk in, it has such a warm and lively atmosphere — it feels casual but still authentic, like a true Korean dining experience right here in Sydney.
Our absolute favourite dish has to be the grilled pork belly. It’s perfectly cooked, juicy, and full of flavour, especially when wrapped with fresh sides and sauces. It’s the kind of dish you keep ordering again and again because it’s just that good.
The kids are also completely obsessed with their variety of fried chicken. It’s crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and comes in different flavours that make it fun for everyone at the table.
But one of the biggest highlights for us is actually the side dishes. As soon as you sit down, you’re served around 10 different banchan (Korean side dishes), and every single time they feel fresh and different. It includes a mix of kimchi, pickled vegetables, seasoned potatoes, salads, and more — and honestly, this is what makes the whole experience feel so special. We love trying everything together before the main dishes even arrive.
The portions are generous, the service is friendly, and the food always comes out fresh and full of flavour. It’s become one of those places we find ourselves recommending to friends all the time.
If you’re in Campsie or nearby and love Korean food, Chungdam is definitely worth checking out. Whether it’s a family dinner, casual catch-up, or weekend meal, it never disappoints.
One of the highlights of our anniversary staycation was our dinner at Altitude at Shangri-La Sydney — and it ended up becoming one of those evenings that reminded me that sometimes the most memorable experiences aren’t about perfection, they’re about the moments you create together.
Since we were celebrating our 15th wedding anniversary, we wanted the evening to feel special. One of the nicest parts of staying at the hotel was not having to go anywhere. We got dressed up, took our time and simply caught the lift straight up to the 36th floor for dinner. It already felt romantic before we even arrived.
When we booked, we had hoped for a window seat because who wouldn’t want those iconic Sydney views for an anniversary dinner? Unfortunately, it wasn’t available on the night. I’ll admit I was slightly disappointed at first because I had imagined us sitting right by the glass overlooking the harbour. But once we settled in, it honestly didn’t matter. The atmosphere was still beautiful and the evening quickly became about something much more important — celebrating us.
We decided to enjoy the three-course menu and paired it with some beautiful mocktails, which made the evening feel extra special. They were refreshing, beautifully presented and felt like the perfect way to celebrate — something fun and elegant to toast to 15 years together 🥂
For our entrée, we decided to share two dishes so we could experience more of the menu.
The first was the Shangri-La Honey Glazed Pepe’s Duck Breast, served with confit duck leg pithivier, muntries, Davidson plum and anise myrtle jus. The duck was beautifully cooked — tender, rich and full of flavour, with just the right touch of sweetness from the glaze. It felt elegant but comforting at the same time.
Our second entrée was the Yamba Prawn, served tempura style with curry apple syrup, lime mayonnaise, sesame and pickled apple. This was such a nice contrast to the duck — crispy, light and packed with flavour. The combination of sweetness, crunch and freshness worked so well together.
For mains, we continued sharing because we wanted to experience more of the menu.
We chose the Hampshire Downs Lamb Saddle, served with sheep yoghurt, black garlic, parsnip, mustard and caper leaves. The lamb was beautifully cooked and full of flavour — rich but balanced and perfect for a special occasion.
Alongside that, we had the Aquna Murray Cod, served with roasted miso, fermented daikon, burnt eggplant and kombu butter sauce. This ended up being one of our favourites of the night. The fish was delicate and buttery while the sauce added warmth and depth without overpowering it.
And because no celebration is complete without dessert, we shared both desserts too.
The Winter Citrus Mousse with yuzu mandarin mousse, chamomile meringue and blood orange sorbet was light, fresh and such a refreshing finish after the mains.
Then we had the Poached Bosc Pear served with dark chocolate genoise, candied hazelnut gelato and pear tuile — and this one felt indulgent and comforting, the perfect balance to finish the evening.
One detail that made the night feel even more special was a really thoughtful surprise from the team. At the end of dinner, they brought out a beautiful plate with macarons and “Happy Anniversary” written on it. It was such a simple gesture but honestly meant so much. After 15 years together, having that moment acknowledged felt really special and thoughtful. Those little touches are often the things you remember most ❤️
A special mention to Amy, our server for the evening, who shared that she is currently studying hospitality while working at Altitude. She was warm, attentive and genuinely lovely throughout the night. She looked after us so well and made the whole experience feel relaxed and personal. Thank you Amy for helping make our anniversary dinner even more memorable ❤️
And then came the unexpected highlight of the evening…
We were lucky enough to witness the drone show from above. Watching the lights move across the Sydney skyline while sitting together during dinner felt magical. It became one of those moments we never planned but will probably remember forever.
Looking back, not getting the window seat really didn’t matter. We still had incredible food, beautiful mocktails, wonderful service and uninterrupted time together.
After years of busy family life and putting everyone else first, it felt so special to celebrate us again.
Fifteen years later and I still feel incredibly lucky that I get to do life with my favourite person ❤️🥂
Here’s to 15 years together and many more beautiful memories ahead.
If you’re looking for a beautiful high tea experience, I really enjoyed visiting Brookfield House in Camden.
The moment you walk in, you’re welcomed by such a charming and elegant ambiance: calm, cosy, and just a little bit magical. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to slow down, relax, and enjoy the moment.
We went for their high tea and loved every part of it. The homemade scones were fresh and delicious, and the selection of sweet and savoury treats was beautifully presented with something for everyone to enjoy.
We visited on a weekday, so it wasn’t too busy, which made the whole experience feel even more peaceful and relaxing. It was such a lovely way to spend the afternoon.
I also think this would be such a beautiful place to catch up with friends, celebrate a special occasion, or even plan something nice with family.
Such a lovely little spot and definitely somewhere I’d love to visit again soon 🤍
We had such a great experience dining at Ms Korea in Hobart that we ended up going back again! From the moment we walked in, we were impressed by how clean and welcoming the space was. The staff were friendly, and the service was quick—perfect when you’re dining out with kids.
The Korean fried chicken was absolutely delicious—crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and full of flavour. The kids couldn’t get enough of it! I ordered the chicken bowl, which was packed with flavour and really satisfying.
What made us go back? The combination of great food, fast service, and a relaxed, family-friendly vibe. If you’re in Hobart and looking for tasty Korean food, we definitely recommend giving Ms Korea a try!
On our road trip, we stumbled upon Soul of Seoul Korean BBQ in Thrumster, and wow, it was a delightful surprise! From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with a warm and inviting ambiance. The place was so clean and beautifully decorated, making it the perfect spot to take a break and enjoy a hearty meal.
The spicy pork was a definite highlight! The flavour was absolutely spot-on—spicy, savory, and full of depth. The spicy chicken was another favourite, with just the right amount of heat that made our taste buds dance. The fried chicken was crispy and juicy, perfect for the kids, who couldn’t get enough of it. They were especially thrilled by how crunchy the coating was while keeping the meat tender and delicious inside.
One of the best parts of a Korean BBQ experience is the side dishes, and Soul of Seoul did not disappoint. The kimchi was perfectly tangy, the pickled radish added a nice crunch, and the steamed rice paired perfectly with every bite. The banchan (small side dishes) were varied and flavorful, adding so much excitement to the meal. Every bite was a little different, which kept everyone happily sampling everything on the table.
Korean food has always been one of our favourites, and this spot really hit the mark. The kids were excited to try everything, and we all agreed it was the perfect meal to fuel us for the rest of the trip. Soul of Seoul Korean BBQ truly captured the essence of Korean cuisine, and we couldn’t have asked for a better pit stop.
If you love Korean food or are just looking for a great place to stop on your next road trip, I highly recommend giving Soul of Seoul a try. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed!
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