Graduating from popular street food stall, Sri Lankan street food purveyors Hopper Kadé have opened a permanent restaurant on Crown Street in Darlinghurst. After building a cult following thanks to their signature hopper menu, founders Ruvanie De Zoysa and Chris Goffin have worked with Head Chef Diago Fernandez to take their offering to the next level with a full, expansive menu designed for casual dining spanning brunch, lunch and dinner.
The approach here is still fusing traditional Sri Lankan flavours with western cooking techniques and Australian influences, bringing diners some unique offerings like Lankan jaffles, roti wraps and sweets such as Chai-spiced banana loaf from as early as 8am each day. The hoppers will still very much be the focal point of the menu though, all of which are made in-house from fermented rice flour and coconut milk before being filled with a free-range egg and various toppings like the new Lankan-spiced 12-hour beef brisket and pulled pork.
“We’ve been blown away with the success of our pop-ups and are thrilled to be opening the doors to our first permanent home”, said De Zoysa. “I hope we can continue to feed our loyal followers, while introducing a new legion of fans to this fresh and flavourful cuisine”.
Other options on the menu include Sri Lankan roti wraps filled with biryani rice, pickles and hung yoghurt, and biryani plates made with a base of biryani rice before being topped with pickles, coconut sambol and a choice of fillings like beetroot curry or spiced chicken. Share-style dishes are also on the menu, including cuttlefish salad with papaya, cashew chilli curry leaf crumb, fresh herbs and lime dressing, and slow-cooked Landan lamb ribs with kade pickle and coconut sambol. Wash those down with mango lassies or an exclusive chai-turmeric blend of tea made in collaboration with Byron Bay’s The Black Lab.
For now, Hopper Kade operates on a BYO basis for those who want something a bit harder; though they are looking to get their license soon.
<3>Hopper Kade
Address: 253 Crown Street, Darlinghurst
Website: www.hopperkade.com.au
Hours: Tues-Wed 8am-3pm; Thurs-Sat 8am-3pm + 5pm-10pm; Sun 8am-3pm
Featured image: Kai Leishman.
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