Won’t you take us to…Chunky Town?
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Won’t you take us to Chunky Town? Emma Macdonald discovers the wonders of sausage and cheese (or just multiple cheeses) on a stick, at Civic’s newest foodie hotspot.
I have travelled the world in search of a memorable cheese experience. But not having been to Korea, I was oblivious to the ingenious method of sticking a wedge of cheddar on a stick, wrapping it in mozzarella, dipping it in batter and crumbs and deep-frying it.
Lucky for the rest of Canberra, such an experience requires far less travel these days.
In a brightly coloured frontage wedged alongside King O’Malley’s Pub in Civic lies a new haven for cheese lovers. And hot dog lovers. And fried chicken lovers. And you can happily wedge them all together into one meal if you have the commitment. And stamina.
Chunky Town is the Korean version of the humble Aussie Dagwood Dog stand, so ubiquitous at country shows.
Grab a Frankfurt, shove it on a stick, wrap it in cheese, then dip it in batter before covering it in either panko crumbs, potatoes or noodles and sinking that baby into the deep fry.
Once sufficiently golden it is time to choose your sauces—burger, peri peri, aioli, BBQ, mustard, or tomato.
And, if you are really facing an immediate risk of hypoglycaemia, you may opt for sugar sprinkles too.
Owner Kim Hyunjung, who also owns Chez Kimchi in Civic and Hangari Kimchi in Dickson, said the Korean interpretation of hot dog was fairly popular at the Melbourne Chunky Town which opened last year, but given the quizzical look of passersby yesterday, it was sparking Canberrans’ interest after just one week.
We were a little dubious at first, but honestly, what is not to love about a stick of multiple molten cheeses encasing a sausage.
Vego/cheese addicts like myself are amply catered for by the cheddar/mozzarella version and I took Kim’s advice on a three-way sauce mix—aioli, mustard and tomato. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t manage to gobble it all up in short order. And this is 4 pm on a weekday. Imagine how irresistible it would be at midnight on Friday after a few crisp Rieslings at King O’Malley’s?
Indeed, Chunky Town is located next to the pub for strategic reasons, and diners can bring beers over or take their chunkies into the pub, in a perfect marriage of food and drink.
Chunkies are priced between $6-$8, and Chunky Town is open until 2 am on Fridays and Saturdays and until 10 pm the other nights. It doesn’t open until midday, however, so if you are planning a chunky for breakfast (we can’t help but think that is something the late great Elvis Presley might do) then make it a late one.
the essentials
What: Chunky Town
Where: 131 City Walk, Canberra City
When: Open 12 noon to 2 am Friday and Saturday, 12noon until 10 pm Sunday to Thursday
Instagram: @chunky_town_act
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