Have you ever known one of those permanent University students? One that drifts from course to course collecting degrees and PhD’s like trophies. I know some but I could never be one. I was always itching to get out and ready to do the job rather than theorise about it. I can understand the appeal of the safety of a university but to me, studying for exams is something nightmares are made out of. As soon as I got my degree, I was gone in a flash.
University food is pretty dismal at the best of times – as I was a vegetarian at the time I seem to recall melted cheese on everything, but if you’re a student at UNSW there is one place where you can find solace, in a spicy bowl of Laksa, noodle soup or Beef Rendang. I am such a fan of their Beef Rendang that I compare it against all other and inevitably others fail.
It’s 11.45am and there is already a queue which comes in waves, sometimes it is empty, other times it stretches beyond the shopfront. They’re either queuing for bain marie’d dishes or at the noodle station for some noodle soup or Laksa. The Laksa is always a good bet here and today is the Penang Laksa so we order this.
We also order a chicken green curry and some soy sauce chicken and a satay stick.
The laksa is housed in a plastic bowl and is full of deliciously puffy tofu squares (not the dry horrible ones one oftens gets), chicken and home made char siu slices and two types of noodles, vermicelli and hokkien. The broth is spicy and creamy, less creamy than Alice’s but spicier.
The thai green chicken curry is good with a generous serving of chicken on the plate. The chicken is tender, the sauce not as thick as some but still flavoursome.
The soy sauce chicken, still on the bone is delicious. I think being on the bone imparts extra flavour to chicken as well as other meats and I find this sauce sweet but not too sticky sweet.
The satay stick is hefty, heavy with meat and a gorgeously rich satay sauce. You definitely get your money’s worth with this baby.
As for the beef rendang, it is heady with a myriad of spices and coconut with soft and tender fall apart beef. Bliss!
Satay Delight
Near Matthew Arcade Upper Campus
University of New South Wales
Anzac Parade, Kensington
Tel: +61 (02) 9663 3604
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23 Comments | Add your own
Oh, what a small world we live in! Currently sitting in UNSW library, (On a Sunday? Sacrilege, I know) I realised I was insanely hungry and left to find some food. Unfortunately, past experiences told me that the vending machines evaporate on the weekend and uni food places are closed. I was preparing for a long jaunt to Randwick but, lo and behold, one of the food places in the Matthews arcade is open! (I nearly wept for joy.)
I eat at Satay Delight quite often. The penang laksa is always good but it seems as though I’m going to have to give the satay a go.
I’m waiting for the day that I bump into someone taking photos of their food and blurt out “Are you [insert a food blogger's name]?!”
Ah, Satay Delight… I have many fond memories of their Laksa mix soups and Lor mee dishes! Never been much of a fan of their bain marie dishes though.
Any idea how long they’ve been around? They’re such a UNSW institution.
Oh and by the way, there is (was?) a decent vegetarian stall in the Badabagan food court. Best muffins ever.
i like getting my money’s worth when it comes to eating out, and college towns always seem to deliver. this looks like a great place for a penny-pincher like me.
I studied at Monash University and had we had a place like this, I would have worshipped it on a daily basis. What gorgeous food! Those lucky students at UNSW! The place looks very clean too.
Haha I ALWAYS go here for the laksa (just plain tofu for me) -it’s awesome! The satay is indeed good too. And when I’m feeling rather tight, I get a couple of spring rolls and curry puffs (both delish)
hehe, my parents’ friends own the place, i just told em about your review
This is truly one of the seven wonders of UNSW. cheap food, friendly makciks..
surely the best way to while away a rainy day in uni is to dig in into their curry laksa. heaven!
Hi M-Wow, what a coincidence! You’re dedicated studying on a Sunday
Hehe I often see people with cameras but never ask if they are food bloggers-well I haven’t yet! 
Hi Laura-Hmmm I’m not sure but at least 10 years I think. Who knows, it may be even longer than that! That’s good, are they savoury vegetarian muffins?
Hi grace-I can never quite believe how cheap things are especially if you’re used to the lunch prices in the city!
Hi Maria-I think a uni needs something like this, for brain food and sustenance of course!
Hi Jenny-Sounds like you had your selections down pat. I forgot to try a curry puff but I’ve heard they are really good!
Hi tian-Oh cool! That’s great, thanks
Hi zek-If it were to go, I’m sure it would be sorely missed. It sure makes studying seem like fun!
ever since the Law Faculty moved next to the Roundhouse…I still make the trek up to the Upper Campus for the Laksa @ Satay delight. Though I haven’t recently been up here as I’ve been cherry picking places on Kensington to try out!
Oh and Laura, I think Badabagan has closed down…though I spot a small asian eatery that has taken it’s spot.
Hi D-It’s definitely worth the trek. I do like the places on Anzac Parade but for cost and taste, this is definitely one of the best choices
I’m currently sitting in the Pavillion happily slurping down my Penang laksa. Definitely has been my favourite uni food retailer this year, particularly during winter =)
btw, this post is posted up next to the queue for Satay Delight ^^
Hi Chris-Laksa is so lovely and warming during Winter I agree (and since it still feels like Winter in Spring right now!). Oh wow, that is so cool, thanks for letting me know!
I just popped over to let you know Satay Delight have posted your review on the wall (the whole thing, in colour, including comments!) but Chris has beaten me to it!
Definitely a fav for a warming penang laksa in winter, and I was actually craving the soya chicken last night, and had resolved to make some today from the Red Lantern cookbook.
Great food, anyway, and once the ladies there recognise you as a rendang eating ang moh, not pussyfooting around ordering “no chilli please” you get a bit more respect! LOL.
Hi zoe-That’s great! I think that’s so sweet. I’d love to know how the soya chicken turns out, if it’s like theirs. LOL respect!
I remember one time i was so sick and wanted a light chicken noodle soup thing. I was studying at the UNSW main library at the time so I headed out to the food court and the smell of laksa just drew me to satay delight. 10 minutes later, I was literally choking on the spiciness of the laksa, but it felt so good to eat it haha
It was one of those rare days, I didn’t bring my lunch. So I head to Satay delight for a noddle soup for a change. A middle aged woman looked up through the tiny gap in between the glass shield with an expression on her face which suggested, “What do you want?” Trying to speak through the tiny gap, I ordered, “Clear soup noodle with soya sauce chicken”. The lady over the counter looked confused. “The normal soup with soya sauce chicken.” I repeat myself a few times and even tried to point to the clear water pot to express what I want. She paused for a few moment, made me wonder if she had trouble hearing. Her expression changed suggesting she finally understood what I said and in an ordering tone, she said, “You need to say Soya Sauce chicken soup. Easy for you, easy for me”.
My urge to talk back at her was subdued by the fact she was a middle age woman who probably couldn’t handle variation very well.
The art of idiocy, can’t get any better than this.
I have to say the laksa here is the best I’ve ever eaten. I’m long past my uni days and I try to go back there for my laksa fix. Would anyone know of any recipe that could yield the similar results? Especially with the thickness in the soup.
I don’t eat laksa anywhere else because I’ve never found one that compares to the satay delight laksa. I need to get a job nearby again or go back to uni so I can get my weekly fix.
“chicken laksa extra chicken please”
They put up your blog post on the wall so that everyone can read it while they’re lining up =P
Have been going to UNSW (lower campus) once or twice a month for work, travelling up from Wollongong. Knowing I should be able to get some decent Asian food up there, I asked around (and on Twitter) for a good place. For 3 trips I was sorely disappointed, but then someone mentioned this place, and I trudged all the way up to Upper Campus to get the laksa. Best (regular) laksa I’ve ever had; the Penang laksa even better. The spicy prawn soup was indeed *spicy* (just a little too spicy for me) but this article says that Beef Rendang is the best. Having bought some today, I must agree: the Beef Rendang is indeed the best Beef Rendang I’ve ever had and more than worth the trudge from Lower to Upper Campus. I am only sad that I am unlikely to return to UNSW any time soon
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