Being a nutrition major at Syracuse University, the “foodie” in me wanted to take full advantage of what Australia had to offer when I studied abroad in Sydney. I discovered that Australia has really fresh food and I had the opportunity to enjoy and savor every single bite. Here is a list of my 5 favorite foods I found from my time spent Down Under.
Pumpkin
While pumpkin tends to be a seasonal (and sweet) item in the United States, they enjoy it year round in Australia. Every restaurant I ventured to somehow have pumpkin featured on their menus. From Pumpkin Pesto Pizza, to a Pumpkin and Beet salad, or a side of pumpkin with feta cheese, it is definitely a food that is hard to disappoint. Pumpkin was my favorite food abroad in Australia, and I was very fortunate to find it everywhere and anywhere in Australia.
Acai Bowl
If you are looking for a refreshing way to start to your day, I highly recommend the acai bowl. Acai is a super fruit that is blended into an almost pudding like texture to create a cold breakfast bowl. An acai bowl is delicious and taste like frozen yogurt in the morning, except it’s a fruit. Acai bowls are usually topped with strawberries, bananas and granola, and can be found on many café “Brekkie” or breakfast menus. Acai bowls are easy to make and a great on-the-go meal.
Museli
Australia is known for their muesli, and I never hesitated to buy a box every time I went to the supermarket. Muesli is a popular breakfast bowl and a popular option to replace cereal. Muesli consists of raw rolled oats and is usually served with milk. Muesli comes in a variety of different flavors such as vanilla, cinnamon, and can be mixed with nuts, dried fruit, or raisins.
Potato Wedges
Every time I went to a restaurant in Australia, the “go-to” appetizer was the famous potato wedges or just “wedges.” They are a signature Australian bar food item or side, which could be compared to French Fries. Wedges are usually served with a side of sweet chill sauce and sour cream to create a savory combination guaranteed in every bite.
Tim Tams
I must admit, I find it tough to beat my favorite cookie, the double stuffed Oreo, but Tim Tams are the Aussie biscuit that definitely come close. A Tim Tam consists of a chocolate biscuit with multiple layers of chocolate filled with a signature filling. Tim Tams come in a variety of flavors such as original, white chocolate, dark mint chocolate, chewy caramel, chocolate brownie and list goes on. Nothing compares to a Tim Tam and it’s definitely a memorable part of the Australian study abroad experience.
If you are reading this blog post and are venturing off to study abroad in Australia, I hope you try all the amazing food Australia has to offer and enjoy them just as much as I did. Please don’t hesitate to bring me back a box of Tim Tams.
Liz Wluka is a TEAN Alum and recent graduate from Syracuse University. She studied abroad with TEAN at University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia.
