logo
‘Everyone knows that's where you get your barbecue meats': The Good Food guide to Hurstville

‘Everyone knows that's where you get your barbecue meats': The Good Food guide to Hurstville

Speak to someone who grew up in Hurstville and they'll tell you that in the '90s, the library was just about the only high-rise in town. Today, the streetscape looks different, with more apartment blocks, more chain restaurants and a Westfield right in the centre. But among the new, there's still plenty to remind you that this southern Sydney suburb lives and breathes, with stories behind every shopfront.
One of those stories belongs to David Chan, whose father, Tak Ming, and 'uncle' Chi Sun-cheng founded Sun Ming Restaurant on Forest Road in 1995 after emigrating from Hong Kong. Chan, who grew up among the clatter of woks, runs Sun Ming today, offering classic Hong Kong cafe dishes to multiple generations of diners, each finding different layers of meaning in plates of pork chops over rice or stir-fried beef noodles.
Chan has seen Hurstville change dramatically over his lifetime. During his childhood, he recalls many of the shops reflecting the historical British and Irish roots of the community, along with Italian and Greek. The 1990s brought a shift as Hurstville became the centre of the Hong Kong diaspora, before more migration from mainland China made it home to one of Sydney's largest Chinese communities.
'There were only a few Chinese restaurants when we first started,' says Chan. 'But now there are a lot of different Chinese restaurants, and not just Cantonese restaurants anymore – the variety is a lot better than it was 30 years ago.'
Walk down Forest Road and the signage might point to restaurants with roots in Taiwan, Sichuan, Hubei, Shanghai or Xinjiang, while those remaining Cantonese restaurants are now institutions, from Hurstville Chinese Restaurant to Canton Noodle House.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Ex-PM Morrison urges strong US alliances over China
Ex-PM Morrison urges strong US alliances over China

Perth Now

timean hour ago

  • Perth Now

Ex-PM Morrison urges strong US alliances over China

US alliances and partnerships must be strengthened to push back against Chinese economic coercion, former Australian prime minister Scott Morrison has told a US congressional panel. "This is as true in the economic sphere as it is in the security sphere," Morrison said in a rare appearance by a country's former leader before Congress. He shared with the House Select Committee on China his experience of coping with the country's trade punishments - including restrictions on imports of Australian wine, barley and more - when his government called for an independent inquiry into the origin of COVID-19. Morrison, who was prime minister from 2018 to 2022, said US allies and partners can be tapped to build an alternative supply chain of rare earths, used in technology such as smartphones. For such alliances and partnerships to work, "there has to be a strong core, and that requires a strong America," he said.

Aussie passport losing its power
Aussie passport losing its power

Perth Now

time8 hours ago

  • Perth Now

Aussie passport losing its power

Australia has fallen from sixth to seventh place in the latest Henley Passport Index, trailing countries such as Singapore, New Zealand and the UK. The Henley Passport Index ranks passports according to the number of places travellers can enter without a visa or with visa-on-arrival access. Australia now shares seventh place with Czechia, Hungary, Malta and Poland. Singapore is the world's most powerful passport, with visa-free access to 193 destinations out of 227. Japan and South Korea are in equal second place, each giving citizens access to 190 destinations visa-free. Australia now shares seventh place with four other countries. NewsWire / Nicholas Eagar Credit: NCA NewsWire Seven countries are in third place including France, Germany, Ireland and Italy. They have access to 189 destinations. In fourth place there are also seven countries including Belgium, Sweden, Norway and Portugal. They have visa-free entry to 188 destinations. New Zealand is in fifth spot, along with Switzerland, while the UK is in sixth place. The US has slipped to 10th place and is close to falling out of the top 10 for the first time since the index began almost 20 years ago. Afghanistan remains at the bottom of the list, with its citizens able to access just 25 destinations without a prior visa. Australians are still able to enter many countries without needing a visa beforehand. Australians can still enter many countries without a visa. NewsWire / Jeremy Piper Credit: News Corp Australia The data shows a general global shift towards more openness, mobility and passport strength. Over the past decade, more than 80 passports have climbed at least 10 places, and the global average number of destinations travellers can access visa-free has almost doubled from 58 in 2006 to 109 in 2025. Notably, China has climbed 34 places from 94th to 60th since 2015. China has granted visa-free access to more than a dozen new passports since January, bringing its total to 75. These include Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Saudi Arabia. In the past decade, more than 80 passports have climbed at least 10 places. NCA NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone Credit: News Corp Australia Henley and Partners chief executive Juerg Steffen said Americans were leading the demand worldwide for alternative residence and citizenship options, with British nationals also among the top five. 'As the US and UK adopt increasingly inward-looking policies, we're witnessing a marked rise in interest from their citizens seeking greater global access and security,' he said. 'Your passport is no longer just a travel document – it's a reflection of your country's diplomatic influence and international relationships. 'In an era of growing inequality and mounting geopolitical uncertainty, strategic mobility and citizenship planning are more critical than ever.'

High-level Chinese diplomat probes Newcastle City Lord Mayor for AUKUS submarine location in private meeting
High-level Chinese diplomat probes Newcastle City Lord Mayor for AUKUS submarine location in private meeting

Sky News AU

time8 hours ago

  • Sky News AU

High-level Chinese diplomat probes Newcastle City Lord Mayor for AUKUS submarine location in private meeting

A high-level Chinese diplomat based in Australia has pressed Newcastle City Mayor Ross Kerridge for information on AUKUS nuclear submarines during a private meeting between the pair. Australia's ability to secure nuclear submarines is a main pillar of the trilateral AUKUS security agreement and the country has already committed $3 billion to assist United States defence manufacturing in exchange for being able to purchase Virginia class vessels. However, questions have been raised over the availability of US-built of submarines following the Trump administration's announcement it was reviewing the deal, which Australia sees as a critical defence investment of deterrence in the region. The Daily Telegraph has now revealed an encounter on July 17 where the future docking location of AUKUS submarines was discussed, prompted by the Consul General of China in Syndey, Wang Yu. According to minutes of the meeting obtained by masthead, notes taken show that the diplomat asked if submarines secured under AUKUS would be based at Newcastle. '(Consul General) explained that China is concerned that Chinese interests in Australia will be affected by strategic defence decisions,' the meeting document read, according to the masthead. 'For example, is Newcastle Port a potential base for AUKUS submarines? '(The Lord Mayor) explained that we are a nuclear free city, but we will not have the means to stop a decision of this nature taken by the state and/or federal governments. 'China expects that Australia and Newcastle will have good relations with other countries and is also looking to build good relations, but would not like us… to use our good relations with other countries to adversely affect China.' The Daily Telegraph also reported the New South Wales city's Taiwanese and Tibetan communities were talked about during the meeting. It comes just days after The Australian revealed Shanghai Xinyang Chamber of Commerce president Wang Yongxin's family ties to the purchase of commercial port properties at Newcastle and Kembla. Wang family members have reportedly denied they have links to the Chinese Communist Party's United Front. Meanwhile, there have been suggestions Australia may need to increase its financial commitments to ensure Virginia class submarines are provided in line with the terms of the original AUKUS agreement. Last month, Defence Minister Richard Marles said he was not prepared to "speculate" on the Trump administration's review of the pact and insisted the government's focus was directed at "pursuing the optimal pathway" that would see Virginia class submarines being available to Australia from 2032.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store