Inside Chi and Co
It was really hard to visit Canley Heights without eating at the amazing Thai-Lao Holy Basil, but this time we had Chi and Co. firmly in our sights.
Tucked just around the corner from Canley Heights’ bustling main street, Chi and Co. (formerly known as Chi Chi) would not be out of place in the inner-city. It features a pan-Asian menu spanning everything from Vietnamese classics to Thai treats and hawker-style Malaysian fare. It’s a mish mash of cuisines, but somehow, it all works.
Chi and Co. inhabits an expansive space with a converted warehouse look, mostly black and white with touches of yellow. A huge mural spans one entire wall. It’s seriously gorgeous and the food is outstanding, from the more-ish son-in-law eggs topped with spicy XO sauce (said to be their signature dish), to the expertly smoky char kway teow. Our favourite dish was the fried crispy skin salmon and green papaya salad – an amazing jumble of texture and flavour, all zesty, herby, crunchy goodness.
Scallops with nam jim, son-in-law eggs with XO sauce, crispy skin salmon & green papaya salad
One of my favourite things about the menu is the selection of small starters at under $5 a pop, like the spanner crab on betel leaf and the grilled scallop with nam jim – bite-sized morsels bursting with flavour. I love being able to sample as many things as possible when I eat out, and Chi and Co. is the perfect place for those who like a pick and mix approach. I keep telling people about this place (first reaction – ‘Where?!’) and have plans to return with food loving friends and family, who I know will have a ‘can’t believe this place is here’ reaction, like we did! Even if Canley Heights is far from your usual haunts, it’s definitely worth the trip. And it’s an easier place to find a park than neighbouring Cabramatta (just!).
Chi and Co., Shop 3/264 Canley Vale Road (entrance via Derby Street), tel: 02 9727 2068, www.chiandco.com.au
I love Chi and Co with its fresh vibrant food Its always tasty. Not bad prices either. I think ill need to try the Scallops there next time they look great
Hi Karl, yes there’s definitely a lot of vibrancy going on! And agree, the prices are reasonable. Thanks for stopping by!
Have always wanted to try out this place, but it’s a bit out of the way for me. But I’m sure one of these days I’ll find myself eating the crispy skin salmon!
Hi Trisha, I know what you mean! It’s way out of my way too but I’m a bit bizarre like that – will travel far and wide for good food. Yes, the salmon’s definitely worth ordering if you ever find yourself there!
This place sounds amazing and I love the decor! There’s nothing like heading to a suburb that’s known for a particular type of food and culture. We’ll definitely be visiting Chi and Co. Thanks for the heads up!
No problem – it’s a bit of a hike for many but if you feel like exploring the burbs Canley Heights is an interesting little place, and there’s a few new places that have popped up there recently (like a dessert cafe with a chocolate fountain). I’ve been back to Chi & Co a couple of times since this post and it’s been consistently great!