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[title]Nestled just beside Parramatta, the colourful streets of Harris Park have become synonymous with authentic Indian cuisine among Sydney locals. This is no coincidence – the suburb is home to one of the biggest subcontinental populations in the country – but the residents want you to know there’s more than just really good curry here.
Strips of the suburb are lined up with cottages converted to restaurants. Here, you can find the hidden gems which make up the cultures and food traditions of the incredibly diverse subcontinental region – Indian, Pakistani, Nepalese – as well as Lebanese. The streets are always buzzing here but you’ll notice an uptake of activity (and perhaps even more lights, music and sights to enjoy) during any one of the festivities the people here celebrate, from Holi to Diwali to Eid. In any case, make sure you walk around after your meal to trawl through stores filled with saris, bangles, henna, and of course, stacks of spices for you to take home.
Situated in the bustling Wigram Street, Momozz is known for its namesake dish, momos. A popular street food in India, these dumplings originated in the mountains of Nepal where they were prepared with yak meat. Now, they’re filled with experimental and innovative local concoctions. Go for the paneer momos as a vegetarian option, and the butter chicken for the meat eaters. 8/104-108 Wigram St, Harris Park.
Feel like you’re too full? Think again. No meal across the subcontinent is complete without a little paan to top it off. The after-dinner treat is bite sized, a little sweet, a little nutty, and very refreshing. And while you’re at it, grab some decadent falooda for dessert. The dish has a royal history, tracing back to the Mughal Empire. It’s assembled with oodles of noodles, stacks of ice cream, and a swirl of rose syrup. At Durga Paan & Falooda House, the serving is generous, but you’ll have no problem slurping it all up. 3/14-20 Station St E, Harris Park.
The rule of the Mughal Empire left behind a cuisine still widely enjoyed across the subcontinent. Heavily influenced by Central Asian and Persian flavours, the food is a bit more mild, but still packed with flavour. The food is rich and indulgent, because what else would you expect from royals? At Ginger Indian, grab some kebabs straight from the piping hot tandoor, and don’t forget to order some korma. 94 Wigram St, Harris Park.
If you’re feeling inspired to try your hand at cooking up some momos or korma yourself, Radhe Wholesale & Retail is your best bet. The grocer has everything you could need plus a couple of snacks and goodies to try. There are stacks of spices, drinks, sweets and even ready-made meals and breads for you to simply heat up at home. You can even browse their entire collection and shop online. 8/10 Station St East, Harris Park.