The Truffle Salmon Tartare is a cracker of a dish! Photo: Kazuri Photography.
White Chaco, folks … I can’t recommend it enough.
Tucked away near the Mandalay Bus end of Lonsdale Street in Braddon, White Chaco offers a fresh take on Asian fusion, irresistibly blending Taiwanese, Japanese and Chinese influences.
It’s a good idea to book ahead; the place is popular. If you can, ask for a table nestled deep within White Chaco’s modern yet intimate interior.
We’ve been before and know the food is wonderful, so we go all in, ordering a wide selection to share.
Truffle Salmon Tartare is a cracker of a start. I’m usually a bit Mr Beanish around tartare, but this one is my favourite tartare ever. It’s all lush umami – salmon, smoked shiitake, soy, bonito – melding in delicate harmony, lifted by daikon pickle and finely minced onion.
The rice puffs that come with it are half the width of a papadum – thin, crisp and melt-on-your-tongue good. They’re meant to carry the tartare to your mouth, but I’ve eaten my share solo before I catch on.
Gorgeous flavours in the pillowy beef bao. Photo: Kazuri Photography.
Beef Bao is next. The steamed bun is slim, irresistibly soft and pillowy, cradling a generous hit of filling. I love how the savoury chilli mayo is spread on the base. Every bite delivers tang, mellow warmth, salty spice and fresh herbs.
The textures sing in perfect harmony from the silky braised beef to the spiced peanut crunch, zingy onion and crispy fried shallots.
We’re curious about the Numbing Peanut Chicken, a crispy battered popcorn chicken coated in a sticky, peanut-infused sauce. As we dig in, my lips start to buzz from the Szechuan pepper. It’s not overly spicy, but the numbing sensation is wild and addictive.
And then the main game: it’s ramen time!
We order three beautiful bowls, but for me, the standouts are the Dan Dan and the Pork & Porcini.
The Dan Dan broth is rich and peanut-dusted, flecked with red-gold spicy oil and a hint of heat. Crisp raw onion strands, lush slices of braised pork belly, and scrumptiously slurpy noodles swirl through it. As I dig deep into the bowl, I catch the rich notes of sesame. Everything is topped with half a lava egg.
When I next have even the hint of a cold, this is the dish I want. It’s delicate, comforting and soul-soothing.
But then again, maybe I’d want a bowl of Pork & Porcini ramen. It’s impossible to choose.
Pork & Porcini ramen is the ramen of my absolute wildest dreams. Photo: Kazuri Photography.
Pork & Porcini ramen is the stuff of dreams. The umami of porcini and pork juices, fresh herbs, and the way the rich broth clings to the noodles … every slurp is packed with flavour. The plump, meaty porcini, soy-soaked shiitake and smoked pork belly is fusion ramen the way I love it.
White Chaco is tucked away, but once you’ve found it, you’ll wonder how you ever missed it. It’s unforgettable.
White Chaco is located at G10/27 Lonsdale St in Braddon. It’s open for lunch Thursday to Monday from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm and for dinner from 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram to see their latest specials.
