Sydney - To Eat (24May2014 NaruOne Korean Rest, Sydney Madang)

Sydney - To Stay
Sydney - To Do
Sydney - To Eat

Sydney - To Eat
24May2014
Like ABBATRAVEL on Facebook to get the latest updates 
Follow us on Instagram #ABBATRAVEL @ABBA_TRAVEL  
NaruOne Korean Restaurant
(650m from Hilton Sydney)

Located at the fringe of Asian Town, this restaurant sits  amongst and enclave of Korean
eateries is a 650m walk from Hilton Hotel.
Click here for ABBA Location of NaruOne Korean restaurant 375 Pitt Street

 

It's been a long 2years since coming back here, so much so that they've shifted their operations to the upper floor and it looks better and larger.
Great orders so far are their spicy beef and seafood tofu soup.

Ordered on:01Feb2017
Half and Half Chicken GangJeon AUD36

*Pretty decent fried chicken and a large serving that definitely can be shared among 3. Good but not over the top great. Perhaps the bone in variety would have fared much better.*
Beef Soup AUD14

 

 *A total let down. The soup is really blend and comes with clear noodles*
Spicy Pork Back AUD14

*I should have checked out my previous review. Although the soup is good, there's hardly any meat to the pork back. Stick to the spicy beef which is a hit!*

Fed3 at about 27AUD each

Ordered on:
14June2016:
Korean small dishes

*Complimentary small dishes free for top-ups.Having since been to Korea and developed a liking for kimchi, I must say their kimchi is to Korean standard. *
Beef Cabbage Soup with Beef Short Ribs with rice AUD18

*Really good. Beef is nice and tender, with meat falling of the bone. They do give
sufficient ingredients and the meal is hugely satisfying, especially during the winter
months. Good serving size, and a single chili symbol ain't all that hot, leaving only an
empty bowl at the end of the meal.*
Seafood Spicy Tofu Soup with rice AUD17

*Really good too. A strong dish, with a hefty supply of ingredients to match it's asking
price. Well worth and a satisfying meal.*
Total: 35AUD fed 2

Overall, we both felt and agreed that thou its pricier than what one would get in Korea, it's definitely authentic and better by way of its quality ingredients as well as portion size. Am not too sure how dish for dish, this place would match up against Sydney Madang, but it's definitely a return to option for myself.

I've been meaning to try their fried chicken and ginseng chicken dishes as well but they're so huge in serving that a larger group is needed.

Ordered On:
24May2014
Complimentary side dishes.
*Nothing to scream about, and I don't recall finishing everything.*
x2 Spicy Pork Rib AUD14 each

*Broth wasn't overtly spicy and was relatively thick and rich. But it went well with the
steaming rice. At first glance, it looked impressive, but really is more bone than meat,
with lots of excavating and picking to get to the tendons and the best tender bits.*

Seafood and Leek Pan Cake AUD14
*A few chunks of squid and prawn but mostly, starchy pancake with a generous sprinkling of leeks. I had wished the ratio be the other way round. The dish did gets very filling fast, but it did however go well with their sweet/sour dipping sauce.*
Soju AUD12
Fed 2: AUD 55 Total

Sum says, "Not bad Korean Food."

Pleasant atmosphere, with a near 75% capacity even at 2130hrs.

Bumping into another set, they shared NaruOne was their second choice location due to preferred, Korean joint, Sydney Madang (reviewed below), being full. With some research, it was found NaurOne to be ranked 1275/5130 of places to eat on trip advisor, as compared to Sydney Madang which stands at a highly sought after location of 163/5130.

Click here for ABBA Location of NaruOne Korean restaurant 375 Pitt Street

 Sydney Madang 
(650m from Hilton Sydney)
Open 1130am-2am!
Lunch Specials from 1130am-3pm. Dishes go for around 2-3AUD cheaper.

 

Sydney Madang is located in the side alley right beside Naruone, reviewed above. With
similar price points on most dishes and perhaps a little costlier by comparing Soju prices. The place was packed even at 10pm, after a dinner at NaruOne. Sydney Madang
had the additional option of table top BBQ which am sure is a hit for Korean BBQ lover. This place was re-visited for lunch on the second day, and already at opening hour, tables started to filling up. 
Click here for ABBA Location of Sydney Madang, 371 A Pitt Street, Sydney NSW2000

Ordered On:
17Jan2018

 A student staple joint that's open till late. Another student joint that is frequented is at
Oiden Bowl. 
Fed 3. Beers go for 6Aud Each.

Ordered On:
18Dec2015
After a year long hiatus and seeing the delicious BBQ section, I did have a longing for
this place.
Marinated Beef AUD17
*Pretty good. To Boubougi Standards I suppose. Nothing a classic Korean marinade
can't replicate.*
Ox Tongue AUD18
*If you haven't tried tongue before, it's really quite good. It's got a little more texture to it
and of course all the flavor of the beef.*


Whole Squid AUD21

*More so a cuttlefish. All that red hot, spicy, color, but doesn't deliver on the heat.
Seriously over priced*
Crab Meat Tofu Soup AUD17

*Chili oil flavored water. Sure there's some crab but nothing really more than that.*
Cass Beer AUD5
Total AUD95 Fed2

Long flight + hungry stomach. Not a good combination for the wallet. Well Madang does offer cheap eats and it's popular with the students and late night party goers. It's probably from the a-la-carte menu and especially with the free sides top ups (like most Korean joints) makes it more worth while.

It was good, but not mind blowing and especially not so for the price. Thou there was
charcoal in the grill, it did not contribute to a distinct char flavor, which would definitely
have elevate the BBQ!
Verdict: Go for lunch single order, or the combine BBQ platter for two at about 60bucks
may have been more worth it.

Ordered On:
24thMay2015 
Complimentary side dishes of:
Marinated Potto, Kimchi, Caesar Salad and Gluten.
*Special mention goes to their version of a 'caesar salad' was really light and refreshing. Not the usually heavy
dressing from typical diner level salad. Roman lettuce were cold, crisp, fresh and sweet
with a light dressing. Another round for their side dishes!*
Allowed up to 4 top ups with a AUD2 sur-charge from the fourth as indicated at the bottom of menu pages.

Dolsot Bibim Bab AUD14

Steamed Rice Topped with vegetables, egg yolk and choice of beef/chicken/pork/tofu in
special hot pot.
*A great mix and balance of fresh vegetables and in readings topped of with their 'hot
sauce' bringing a light spicy level to the entire dish. Nothing over bearing which requires
tumblers of water. A perfect dish on a cold day. Your dish retains the hit, and the longer
you leave the rice in to 'cook', you get more of those delectable crunchy bits.*

Some of the accolades which Sydney Madang has achieved since its opening. Best Food Under AUD30,Everyday Eats 2011, Sydney Weekender, Lonely Planet Guide and Good Food Under AUD30.

Seems that all the best stuff are hiding in some corner or alley. Worth the visit and try some of the other dishes.
Click here for ABBA Location of Sydney Madang, 371 A Pitt Street, Sydney NSW2000

Germany - Munich To Do (ABBA Contribution Kelvin Seet, Denison Tan Castle Tour ABBATRAVEL Neuschwanstein Tour)

Munich - To Stay
Munich - To Do
Munich - To Eat
Munich - To Buy

Munich - To Do
Like us on facebook to get the latest updates

Neuschwanstein Castle
*information and photograph contributed by Kelvin Seet

 

*Photo pictured above Courtesy of Kelvin Seet: Neuschwanstein Castle, taken from Marienbruke.  

See more of Kelvin Seet's photography @ www.kelvinseet.com

Getting there:
(scroll down to find out more details)

By Public:
*ABBA Info by Kelvin Seet and Hendri Budi*

Public:
*Reviewed by Kelvin Seet and Hendri Budi*
- Buy the Bayern Ticket for full coverage of all transportation options
(i.e. metros, trains and buses in Bavaria.)
*All transport costs are covered except for the horse carriage ride or bus ride up to the castle. Those are chargeable.*
- The ticket costs 23 euros as a base and additional 4 euros per additional head. Maximum of 5 total. (Tickets can be bought at Rosenheimer Platz Station. Go to the ticket machine and look for Bayern Ticket, a.k.a. Bavaria Ticket)
- Ticket needs to be carried for the group by 1 Person. Just show for the number of persons bought for and remember to have a person's name written on it.
Getting There
- Head to Rosenheimer Platz station (just downstairs from the hotel) and get a ride to Hauptbahnhof Central Station on any S-train
- Once at Hauptbahnhof Central Station, get to the main train station and hop on a train to Füssen, preferably on a direct train. If a direct train is not available, you will have to transfer at one of the stations, e.g. Buchloe.
ABBATIP: Go to http://www.bahn.com/i/view/GBR/en/ before you leave the hotel, and input Munich to Füssen with the desired date and time. The website will give you the information on train timetable and transfers required. It will be easier if you plan the return journey before leaving the hotel too.
*Travel time approx 2hrs 45mins one way 
- Once you reach Füssen, follow the crowd to the bus stop and take 73 or 78 for  a short ride to Hohenschwangau. 
Getting Back
For the return journey, simply trace back the same route, i.e. take 73 or 78 to Füssen, hop on a train to Munich Hauptbahnhof Central Station, and then take any S-train to Rosenheimer Platz.
NOTE: The last direct train from Füssen to Munich Hauptbahnhof Central Station is at 18:06. Check transfer information beforehand (if required) at http://www.bahn.com/i/view/GBR/en/ .
Click here for Travel Details routing of public routing reviewed by Kelvin Seet from Arabellastrasse Station

By Tour:

Neuschwanstein & Linderhof Tour by Gray LineABBATRAVEL Entry
8May2016

Prices have since risen since at 54Euros per pax with additional
fast track entrance fees at 23Euros (optional to be paid on the bus)
The 23Euros grants you internal access to Linderhof Palace and Neuschwanstein Castle only. The rest of the grounds are free to roam!

Places that you get to visit on the tour
1.Linderhof Palace,
2. Oberammergau, a small Township known for their mural motives,

3. Schloss Hohenschwangau and 4. Neuschwanstein Castle (Located in the same area)

*Tour Shuttles you direct from Hilton Hotel to main train station where there's a transfer to the double decked tour bus.Please note that transport BACK to the hotel is not provided!

Pickup from Hilton Hotel is at 7.45am with a 10min shuttle to the main train station. From there, the main touring bus will pick up the rest of the tourist to begin their trip.

Although there are in other tours with some cheaper prices by a few euros to so, however, this maybe the earliest tour out which helps put you ahead of the crowds at the following attractions. 

 *Some of the view whilst on the bus ride* 

ABBATip:

Pack lunches/meals. If you really want to maximize your time at the castles and city sites, you had best have meals packed or had on the go. 

1. Schlosspark Linderhof

Its not the largest of castles per-say, but definitely given its setting and surroundings, it's the most quaint and a sight to behold. Although the tour guide said no pictures on the inside, that seemed hardly enforced. Opulence and stunning beauty greet you in the various rooms, of which each window had its own view over the land scape. It's location made it a beautiful homestead. For similar designed castle layouts but in a larger scale, one can discover the very worth it Residenz tour in Munich city itself!

Bus stops at the car park where one later takes a short walk to join timed tour groups. Tour lasts only a very brief 20mins. Total time at location is an hour and a bit. It is a little bit tight on time to cover the entire estate, but due to the Itinerary, a necessary evil.

2. Oberammergau (Small township)

The township thou small, is quite an interesting one. The village has beautiful motifs painted on the exteriors, giving the illusion of over the top opulence. Really nice art works on the building exteriors. The mountain of Oberammergau with a cross right at top is distinctive of the township and it's religious standing. 

Definitely explore the deeper parts of the very small town where even on a Sunday where most of the shops are open. One can view the countless beautiful wood carvings of different motifs through the window. Simply stunning with an even more shocking price tag.

Interestingly, the township, with a population of about 10,000 has a, citizen-only performed Pageant, which runs a total of 6hours.

The tour allocates an hour of free and easy time here. Meals, souvenir shopping are entirely up to one's person. The time allocation is just nice to enjoy the small shops. An additional 15mins would be great but the finale was awaiting after this.

Schloss and Neuschwanstein Castle

3. Schloss Castles

*Taken from Neuschwanstein Castle*

The still active summer home, is not covered for entry by the tour fees paid on board. However, viewing its small grounds and where it sits, over looking the water body and surrounded by the mountains, is absolutely stunning. A breadth taking view in a very tranquil corner. A nice walk around its gardens and the closer view of the lake. 

4. Neuschwanstein Castle

Getting Up to Neuschwanstein.
It did come as a surprise that the tour bus doesn't bring you up the relatively long and uphill hike to Neuschwanstein itself!

Walking, like many do but it takes a long 40mins plus as reported by others.

Bus line moves very quickly where one can pay 2Euros up and 1Euro downhill.

Horse Drawn carriage, go at 6Euros up and 3Euros Down is probably the most nostalgic but of course the longest lines.

ABBATip:

To maximize the time allocated, we took the bus up and horse carriage down (No long queues for the down journey) One can walk down as well and but foliage restricts the view of the landscape and valleys.

Actually, as queried to the tour guide, the castle really isn't the full inspiration behind Cinderella's Disneyland Castle, but merely a single tower which has very strong resemblance. It was in fact Linderhoff's forth uncompleted castle which had more design elements drawn upon to build the now iconic Disneyland Castle. Probably through pop culture references and over time, Neuschwanstein castle is best known as the Disneyland/Cinderella castle.

The elevated grounds it sits on gives unsurpassed views of the land and an absolutely poster card view of Schloss Castle and it's surroundings. Really stunning views especially from the small cantilever over hanging the valley where one gets to see the front of the castle, framed by the snow capped mountains.

It was unfortunate that the bridge was closed for repairs and many have sung praise of the view of the castles from there.

The time allocated here was about 4hours plus and was just about sufficient to really absorb the sights. Best if one had packed lunch or lunches on the go to maximize one's time.

The tour in my opinion was worth it, especially with cut the queue ticketing and convenience. Only in a party of 3 or more perhaps a car rental would be more economical. 2 with petrol charges would work up to about same pricing. However taking into account the long drive times of about 5hrs plus was not at all enticing. The complexity of public transport, thou the cheapest, offers only single location visit but with the tour's multiple stops, it maybe the more worth while option.

Routing Taken by Tour 

 *ABBA Review of Tour by Denison Tan*

There are a couple of other accounts of how others have managed to see the castles, which depends on the mood of the group at the time.
On this occasion it was the tour from the hotel via Gray Line agency.
The cost came to 51Euros for the transport with a further 20Euros for the entry to the castles - Linderhof and Neuschwanstein with a stop at the town of Oberammergau

Routing Taken by Tour  

After a morning pickup from the hotel, it was a bus ride through the scenic German country side with the Alps as the backdrop and through quaint country towns.

Linderhof Palace was a smaller one than the more famous Neuschwanstein, though the lower ceilings and smaller rooms made it seem more intimate. There was no denying the opulence though befitting a king. From the guide, it was revealed that this palace was modelled on Versailles. Unfortunately no photography is allowed inside the castle.

Finally, Neuschwastein Castle, said to be the inspiration for Disney's Sleeping Beauty Castle. Atop the Marienbrücke Bridge is the best place to photograph the castle, with a waterfall on the other side of the bridge. The interior did seem a little less impressive than Linderhof, with the acoustics also making the guide's accented English a challenge...

Suggestion to grab a meal and take a slow walk up, or queue for the horse ride, because damn...the queues are long... Head to Marienbrücke and photograph the castle, since when the tour is done, there will be minimal time left to head to the bridge. We did not want to verify the guide's threats to leave latecomers behind...

*ABBA Review of Tour by Denison Tan*