Our first meal in Sydney: KFC burgers, 'gravy sauce', and the mysterious 'Ibis' bird! The story of our family's first dining out in Sydney, a mix of familiarity and unfamiliarity.
Sydney's First Meal, a Welcoming KFC
As we stepped onto the street around the hostel, a familiar sign greeted us.
"Mom, there's a KFC over there!"
My second child excitedly shouted while dragging her suitcase.
So, our first dining out in Australia started at KFC.
The store wasn't exactly sparkling clean, but it was not a bad choice to feel the vibe of our first day traveling.
We ordered burger sets, chicken, and some 'gravy sauce' that my husband subtly added to the order.
Gravy Sauce, a Taste Filled with Dad's Memories
"Honey, they have gravy sauce here! Should we add one?"
My husband asked with an excited look, stopping his gaze at the menu.
"What's that?" my first child asked.
"It's something Dad used to eat a lot when he was living alone in Canada. I always paired it with KFC chicken. It reminds me of those days."
Gravy Sauce is a thick, rich sauce made by boiling meat juices or stock with flour.
In places like the US, Canada, and the UK, it's a staple sauce served with mashed potatoes or fried foods, and it's also sold as a side menu at KFC.
A little while later, the sauce and chicken came out together. My husband dipped the chicken deeply into the sauce, took a bite, and nodded.
"Mmm... this is the taste. Just like the feeling from those days."
The kids also carefully tried a bite each, looking curious. Then, they simultaneously tilted their heads.
"Mom, isn't this a bit... bland?"
"Yeah, I don't really like it either."
The second and first child shook their heads.
A taste that seems salty but is oddly plain, leaving a light rather than savory flavor. It could feel a bit ambiguous to a Korean palate. The coleslaw had smaller chunks and a thicker texture, if I had to describe it. It had less of a crunch.
"It's okay. Dad will eat it all."
My husband smiled and finished the sauce to the end. He had a look as if he was eating memories, not just the taste.
A Bite of Burger, and the Shocking Appearance of the Ibis
Just then, my first child, who was looking out the window, opened her eyes wide.
"Uh, what's that! Is it a bird? A dinosaur?"
A long beak, wide wings, casually walking and rummaging through the trash can.
That was the Ibis.
The Ibis is a bird that originally lived in wetlands, but due to urbanization and habitat destruction, the species settled in downtown Sydney.
Because of its habit of rummaging through trash cans, locals affectionately call it the 'Trash Bird'.
Its size is almost as big as a turkey, and the way it digs through food waste with its sharp beak is quite impressive.
"It's really fascinating... I thought that was a bird only found in zoos, but it's walking on the street?"
"We really are in Australia."
The kids stared out the window for a while with surprise and curiosity.
