Eat My Words: We reviewed Koala Kitchen in Newark

Having been invited to try food at the Koala Kitchen, an Asian Street Food business now operating from the Rutland Arms for an Eat My Words review, we were presented with a feast that I could almost say I tried the whole menu.

The Koala Kitchen, which started as a desert van in the Newark Market Place in February last year, quickly evolved into an Asian Street Food business.

It wasn’t until the end of April this year that the owners, Cherry Cheng and Andrew Scott were invited to run the kitchen at the Rutland Arms pub.

We were welcomed by the couple who told us they prepared a few different dishes for us to try — being aware of me being vegetarian — and I never expected to leave the pub so satisfied but also thinking of starving for a week (well I did not, the leftover dumplings were a great breakfast treat).

The cuisine has a lot of Taiwanese influence as Cherry, the chef, is originally from Taiwan, however, there some of the dishes are traditionally from Australia (where the couple first met) and Japan.

When we were waiting for the food we headed to the bar and got a half pint of Guinness and Birra Moretti, and being in the pub for food after a long day at work and having a pint is the perfect combination.

As the food started coming, it quickly filled the whole table and we just stared for about 10 seconds trying to figure out where to start.

I had my first bite of the spring onion pancake, and it was as tasty and crispy as it looked. It was a pan-fried spring onion pancake served with a side of the business’s spicy dipping sauce.

It didn’t only look insanely good, but it tasted just the same. If I wasn’t a big fan of pancakes before, I am now if we are talking about this spring onion one.

I might now have to add that pancake to the list of meals I would have if I had to choose a death row meal, and I don’t say that lightly.

Cam’s favourite main dish was the curry of the day, which was a chicken satay curry and despite not having tried it, the thought crossed my mind.

You could see how creamy it looked and if you like peanuts, this is ideal because you could see them on top of the plate and I can only imagine the flavour and how rich and crunchy it was.

Cam, the biggest curry fan I know, described it as super flavourful and “it really hit the spot”.

Additionally, we had the Taiwanese burgers and it was my first time trying bao buns. I was quite surprised with their texture, so much so that we had to ask Cherry to come and explain to us how she makes them.

At first sight, the bao buns looked very pale and like raw dough, but I know that is exactly how they are meant to be and it was delicious. All the flavours inside and the fluffiness of the bun were somewhat intriguing.

The original ones are steamed bao buns filled with slow-cooked pork, tangy pickled mustard greens and coriander, finished with a sprinkle of peanut powder, so we had one of those and one with halloumi instead of pork.

I think the pictures can almost speak for themselves with how colourful the filling is compared to the bun, the contrast of flavours and textures was mouth-watering.

The pork was tender and “cooked to perfection”, and adding the coriander on top was the balance between the meat and greens.

We were presented with three varieties of gyoza dumplings: chicken and coriander, pork and cabbage, and vegetable.

Every time I had tried gyozas before I wasn’t much of a fan — maybe because I didn’t know how to cook them properly, or maybe because they were supermarket-bought rather than the homemade experience.

The vegetable gyosas were accompanied with sweet chilli sauce, although I also dipped them in soy sauce to try and they were so good, it was very comforting as they were still warm.

I didn’t try the meat ones, but according to Cam and his reactions of ‘hmmm so good’, they sounded very tasty, especially the pork ones.

I am a massive spring rolls fan, however, with such rich flavours and different things for me to try, despite having all the needed and fresh ingredients, it just seemed a bit plain compared to the rest, which is I wasn’t feasting I would 100% order again.

Despite being on the verge of bursting, when they asked if we wanted to try the Bahn Mi, we easily found some extra space and ordered a halloumi one.

The dish usually comes with chips on the side, however, we had to prioritise something new and different.

The Bahn Mi offers the options of crispy pork, marinated chicken, halloumi, or bacon, and it is complimented by tangy pickled carrots, coriander, and dried shallots, and customers have the option of fresh chilli and peanuts.

The bread, once again homemade, was incredible, so flavourful and the right amount and taste, I could eat it just by itself.

The halloumi as well I’d give 10/10, it was perfectly seasoned and can’t imagine anything better to go with the rest of the ingredients, from the sauce to the vegetables, and the way that peanuts were involved in the dish just added richness that I can’t begin to describe.

I dare to say it was some of the nicest food I had in a long time, and that every single bite felt just like embarking on a travelling journey, jumping in and out of countries and experiences.

Neither of us could find the space for dessert, or to breathe really, so Cherry and Andrew packed us the leftover food with an extra chocolate cupcake for each, to honour the way their business started — with desserts.

With a craving for travel, food and authenticity, I was ready to roll down a hill after a feast that still makes my mouth water just to think about it.

Out of five:

Food: Despite the idea that Asian food is all low-calories, the richness of flavours, seasoning and variety of ingredients used made me feel like I had eaten a whole cow by myself, and I can’t praise enough the quality of food and portions. *****

Drink: As Koala Kitchen operates from the kitchen of a pub, the range of drinks was endless, and you can never go wrong with a pint, can you? ****

Decor: The pub’s decor is very wooden-based which brings a rustic and relaxing feel to it. The low-light environment adds a really interesting and calm environment that makes you feel at home. ****

Staff: Cherry and Andrew were not only a lovely couple but super humble and appreciative of people’s opinions. They were asking us how we found the food and were always happy to help or answer any questions. *****

Price: As we were invited, our meal was complimentary but if we were to pay, the total of all the dishes combined, excluding the drinks as it is a separate business, it would have been around £47.50, as I am not sure the price of the Bahn Mi without the chips. Considering the amount and the quality of the food we ate, I would say this is a fair price. ***

Have you had a great meal? Share your own Eat My Words reviews or tell us where to try by emailing: news@newarkadvertiser.co.uk.