The $38 dish Nigella Lawson 'can't stop thinking about' since leaving Sydney - as locals rush to try the 'sensational' meal too
When British culinary queen Nigella Lawson shares a food obsession, the world listens.
And during her time in Australia in June, it was a 'sensational' spicy dish from Sydney 's Porkfat that left her mouth watering - so much so that she 'can't stop thinking about it'.
While in town to host dinners for Vivid Sydney 2025, Nigella was spotted at various restaurants enjoying the local food scene with friends and famous restaurateurs.
However, the 65-year-old cookbook author and food icon, who regularly comments on Australia's thriving restaurant culture, recently took to her Instagram to rave about the meal that's still living rent-free in her mind.
Porkfat, a Thai restaurant tucked away on Sydney's Wentworth Avenue, served her their famous pork larb and it was an instant standout.
'Can't stop thinking about the sensational pork larb at Porkfat!' Nigella wrote in a post to her 3.1million followers.
'I mean, everything I ate there was wonderful, as indeed it always is, but this is the dish… that rules my heart!'
It's not hard to see why - Porkfat's signature larb is no ordinary salad.
The bold, flavour-packed Northern Thai classic is made with tender, minced pork, loaded with zingy herbs, spice, and topped off with crispy, golden cubes of pork fat that are fast becoming the stuff of legend.
'This is the dish - light, zingy, fresh and fiery, studded with those fabulous golden cubes of pork fat for which the restaurant is named,' Nigella gushed.
The restaurant, which is helmed by Thai-born chef Narin 'Boon' Kulasai and his partner Tania, is renowned for delivering authentic, regional Thai flavours with punch and personality.
In fact, it's not Nigella's first visit to Porkfat, she's previously sung its praises and seems to make a beeline there every time she visits Sydney.
'Thank you to Tania and Boon who make my soul smile,' she added in her tribute.
Nigella has visited Australia multiple times for her book tours and speaking events, but it's clear Sydney's thriving inner-city eateries have a special place in her heart.
'I feel at home here,' she's said in past interviews.
'I've had such an inspiring time eating my way through Australia, and I've wanted to try as many places as possible but, when I'm in Sydney.
The bold, flavour-packed Northern Thai classic made with tender, minced pork, loaded with zingy herbs, spice, and topped off with crispy, golden cubes of pork fat that are fast becoming the stuff of legend
And if this latest craving is anything to go by, Porkfat's pork larb might just be her most memorable yet.
Nigella has an impact on locals after her rave review, with many vowing to book in at Porkfat pronto to see what all the hype was about.
'I'm very partial to larb so this is an excellent reminder to enjoy some local offerings,' one wrote.
'I am ready to crawl from Melbourne to taste the food,' another added.
If you're on a budget, Nigella said she she can never get enough of the fish finger bao at King Clarence in Sydney, which costs $15 per bun.
'Being in Sydney without revisiting King Clarence to eat chef Khanh Nguyen's exuberant, masterly and joy-giving food would be a criminal oversight,' she said.
'I mean, how could I leave here without tasting, once more, that fish finger bao and still live with myself? Not a chance,' Nigella said.
The popular food writer explained that she needed to go into detail about the dish so everyone can 'truly grasp the magnificence'.
'This particular fish finger is made with barramundi, set in gelatinised dashi stock, then robustly crumbed, then deep-fried, so that when you bite into it as well as a satisfying crunch, you get a burst of deeply-flavoured broth,' she said.
'It's rather like the experience of eating Xiao long bao (aka soup dumplings) only more high octane.
'And in the tender, bouncy, steamed bun as well is a dainty sliver of melty American cheese and a tartare sauce flecked with mustard greens plus, on top, a pearled heaping of vivid salmon roe. Heady-making stuff, and as exquisite as it is bold.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Georgia Love fuels romance rumours with fellow radio star as they dress up in 'couples' outfit - following her public split from husband Lee Elliot
Georgia Love has continued to fuel romance rumours with her radio co-star Gareth Thomson, following her shock separation from husband Lee Elliot. The former Bachelorette star, 35, stunned fans when she parted ways with her partner in February after nine years together - four of which were in matrimony. However, speculation has spread the beauty already has a new man, as she and her colleague Gareth have been spotted spending time together of later. She continued to fan those flames on Friday when she shared an image to Instagram of herself and Gareth dressing up as fictional couple Barbie and Ken. Georgia put on a leggy display in a strapless black and white striped dress as she struck a doll-like pose and accessorised with a pair of dark glasses. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. She stood beside Gareth, who also adopted a stiff pose as he wore a colourful tracksuit. It's unclear why the pair were dressing up; however, Georgia tagged the radio station she works at - Gold 104.3. She also included colleague Phoebe Humphrey in the photo, who dressed up as Sandy Olsson from Grease, indicating the trio were in costume for work. It comes after Georgia first sparked romance rumours with Gareth on Wednesday when she shared a selfie of the pair at the opening night of a theatre show. The workmates were all smiles as the cosied up for photo while attending the musical Hedwig and the Angry Inch in Melbourne. In the picture, the newly single reality TV star paired large gold hoops with a denim dress and a black coat as she gleamed in the sweet snap. As for her musical buddy, who also works with her at Gold 104.3, Gareth wore a black jacket over a black shirt, unbuttoned to show a little bit of chest hair for the night out. However, it was Georgia's caption of the post which really raised eyebrows and sent tongues wagging. 'Your mum and dad had a midweek night out and sent a photo as proof,' she wrote across the picture while tagging Gareth. A follow-up picture showed Gareth taking a picture of the pair's matching glittery boots before they headed into the show. Georgia and Gareth posed together on the red carpet, cuddling up close as they enjoyed their night out at the theatre. Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Georgia and Gareth for comment. This isn't the first time the pair have been spotted attending musicals together. In May, Georgia and Gareth attended the opening night of Hadestown at Her Majesty's Theatre in Melbourne, where they posed on the red carpet side-by-side. Gareth is also in showbiz, with his Instagram biography indicating he was the writer of Schapelle, Schapelle - The Musical based on the life of Schapelle Corby. It comes after news Georgia and ex-husband Lee are set to put their marital home in Melbourne under the hammer. The high-profile pair, who first met on the 2016 season of The Bachelorette, have listed the spacious Hampton East pad with a price range of $1.5million to $1.58million. Georgia and Lee, who announced their split in February, paid an estimated $1.35million for the chic ultra-modern two-storey townhouse in 2021. The former couple, who were married for four years, announced their breakup four months ago. The couple broke the news of their separation with identical posts on Instagram in February. 'After nine wonderful years together, including four as husband and wife, [we] have made the incredibly difficult decision to lovingly part ways,' they wrote. 'Our relationship has been so special and we will always cherish the memories, love, and laughter we've shared. 'There is no drama, no bad blood,' the emotional statement continued. 'Just two people who have grown in different directions while still holding deep respect and care for each other.
Reuters
3 hours ago
- Reuters
Australia's Super Netball goes global in deal with Whoopi Goldberg's AWSN
SYDNEY, June 20 (Reuters) - Australia's Super Netball league will be broadcast to more than 65 countries over the next three years after Netball Australia struck a deal with Whoopi Goldberg's All Women's Sports Network (AWSN), the governing body said on Friday. Netball, one of a few sports created exclusively for women and girls, is the most popular participation sport for females in Australia with Netball Australia estimating there are up to a million players across the country. The professional Super Netball league, which was launched in 2017, has eight teams and 41 of its games, including the playoffs and finals, will now be broadcast on AWSN. "This breakthrough deal puts netball on screens across the globe and cements our place at the forefront of women's sport," Netball Australia chief executive Stacey West said in a statement. "AWSN shares our vision of taking women's sport to new heights. Together, we're creating a platform for our athletes and game to shine like never before." Co-founded by Oscar-winning actor and comedian Goldberg, AWSN was launched late last year as the first global media channel dedicated exclusively to showcasing women's sports. "I am so proud to be thanking you for joining us on AWSN," Goldberg said in a video message to Super Netball released by Netball Australia. "I see that your fans are really loving you, so we want to make sure that we put you everywhere in the world so that everybody knows about you."
Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Bodybuilder Sergio Taranto lists lavish semi-rural mansion in Victoria for $7m
Bodybuilder Sergio Taranto has reportedly listed his resort-style mansion in Victoria's Yarra Ranges for sale. Located in leafy Lysterfield, 32km from Melbourne, the five-bedroom, five-bathroom ultra-modern pad has a price guide of $6,500,000 to $7,150,000. Built on top of a hill in the sought-after Carrington Estate development, the sprawling two-storey home offers a commanding view of the surrounding bushland. The sales agent responsible did not confirm Taranto as the owner of the 5,928 square metre property, reported the Herald Sun on Friday. However, the publication said documents for the massive architect-designed home confirm the well-known personal trainer as the owner. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Constructed on what was once a cow paddock, the steel and glass home features soaring ceilings and dramatic design features, including a Lucretia crystal chandelier. Highlights include a second storey undercover alfresco dining and relaxation space. There's also a second alfresco space on the ground floor with built-in BBQ and adjoining courtyard. Other features include a home theatre with luxurious cinema seating, a gym and an indoor pool and spa. Meanwhile, the massive main bedroom occupies an entire wing of the upper floor and includes an ensuite and a dressing room with two walls of wardrobes. For added luxury, the main suite is host to a drop-down TV, a drinks station and a freestanding bath. Also featured on the top storey is a 'retreat' space and a balcony which spans the entire floor. Elsewhere, the kitchen offers a dual-island with 'waterfall' benches, granite sinks, and a large butler's pantry with a second kitchen. Buyers are likely to be drawn to Taranto's listing since the Carrington Estate is known for its up-scale homes which rarely hit the market. Situated in sight of the famed Dandenong Ranges, the ritzy neighbourhood offers underground power and large nature strips. As an added touch of charm, developers have installed 'heritage' street lamps. Best known as a men's health specialist, Taranto has competed in the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness Championships (IFFB). In 2014, he scored second in the IFBB Sydney competition in the Open Super Heavyweight event. He achieved the same result in Perth a year later for the National Physique Committee (NPC) tournament in the Classic Physique Masters competition. Taranto also launched a YouTube channel offering health hacks, which has since been retired.
