Knafeh

Can we all agree that it’s an outdoor family club that serves delicious dessert?!
I came here on a Saturday night, and holy what a scene! It was packed with people waiting in line, eating and simply there enjoying the music and entertainment. These long bearded men know how to throw a party. The music was loud, all the workers were dancing as well as the crowd that was around.
This place attracted people from all ages with different diversities and backgrounds. It was something very different from what I’ve ever experienced, especially when there’s only 3 things on the menu! 1 that’s actually edible — their knafeh. The knafeh… where do I begin. That sweeeet sweet cheese dessert! It was almost like a more textured, creamier but lighter version of a crème brûlée. It’s a little sugar heavy so I would recommend sharing it with another person unless you have a major sweet tooth then you’ll easily demolish this. It was simple and delicious — and to only have that on the menu they are definitely doing something right.
If you haven’t tried it — definitely go before they move to a different location! It’s $ 8 you will not regret.

If you only have two things on your menu you better be doing them well. And my goodness have the bearded boys of Knafeh perfected their art!
Knafeh and mint tea are the call of the hour — sadly the tea was all sold out by the time I got to the front of the line at this shipping container good «truck», but the wait was worth it for the pillowy, silky and somewhat stretchy cheese custard lying underneath that satisfying crack under the spoon of toasted cinnamon sugar.
Seating is just milk crates and tables the same with a bit of ply on top, so best to avoid short short if you don’t want chequerboard thighs. But even if it’s standing room only, the boys make you want to get on your feet as they blast their music, sing along, drum on the sides of the shopping container and dance on the countertop. It’s Coyote Ugly for ladies but with better music and infinitely better wares to sell.

If this isn’t intriguing enough for you: what is? A new food sensation for Sydney, a back story (pastries bringing cultures together often in conflict in the Middle East) and bakers with big beards, Palestinean brothers serving Jerusalem street food.
By chance this morning, I see on Facebook that they’re at Moore Park Entertainment Quarter today. As they’ve been at other locations fairly far away from me, this seemed like a good chance.
I thought they’d set up a regular food stall in the market, but no: this is a whole event! It’s a shipping container, it’s an entire lawn of people hanging out: it’s an event.
The guy serving up the orders has a microphone and is doing a comedy routine to call out names of orders, there’s a buzz in the air, there’s curiosity.
And the Knafeh (as explained helpfully by the comedian, the K is pronounced, sort of like kuh-​nah-​fay)? My god. Delicious. And exactly what I want as a reward for my foodie expedition. They only serve knafehs (and mint tea I think). I had no idea what to expect. But it’s what I love: something simple, done well, true to a culture, and a novelty.
And absolutely delicious, reminding me a bit of a custard, or a crème caramel, but a soft, not-​too-​sweet, cheese, a thin crunch of semolina on top, eaten out of a wide shallow paper container.
Wikipedia says it’s cheese pastry soaked in sweet sugar-​based syrup; the tiny cardboard box that it comes in, like a pizza box, says ‘Jerusalem street food’. We got one each, they’re too tasty to share. Eight bucks. All hail! If it comes to your neighbourhood, and even if it doesn’t, track it down.

Pop up truck at Fox EQ. Dj Baker. Voluminous beards. Nicknames and a drawing on your serving card if you are lucky… or cheeky enough! The knafeh was silky sweet and oh so perfectly warm for a cold night.

This pop up food truck place seems to be very popular on Saturday night. It was not easy to find this place because «George Khattar Lane Parramatta» does not exist in Google Map. If you just follow «64 Phillip St Parramatta», then you’ll find this food truck easily. They only have 3 things in the menu: Knafeh, Lemonade and bottled water. The friendly people from food truck will gladly chat to you about anything. Served warm, you can taste the sweet syrupy cheese pastry in your mouth. You can enjoy this while sitting down by Parramatta River. Don’t forget to bring a picnic rug.