Merrylands

Background

Originally inhabited by the Burramattagal (near Parramatta), the Boot-Bain-Ora (near Wentworthville) and the Toongagal (near Toongabbie) people on Dharug land. There are significant archaeological remnants along the rivers and creeks of the area and strong evidence the people met for gatherings and initiation ceremonies and possibly bartering.

The first land grant was in 1793 to Judge-Advocate Richard Atkins, but Arthur Todd Holroyd (a physician, explorer and solicitor) had the most significant influence on the area. He acquired his land named Sherwood Scrubs in 1855 and established industries such as a pottery , brickworks, an orangery and a dairy which he called Merrylands in honour of a family property in England. He suggested the name of the suburb and became the first mayor. The railway line opening in 1878 brought about an increase in population and further industries such as the production of bricks, pipes, tiles pipes and cement.

Former residents of Merrylands include:

Betty Cuthbert, born in Merrylands in 1938 and grew up in Ermington. She won four Gold medals in the Olympic Games for athletics, one Commonwealth Gold medal, two Silver Commonwealth medals and had sixteen World Records;
John Ibrahim, nightclub owner together with his brothers. His mother still resides in Merrylands.

Taste Cultural Tours

Taste Cultural Tours is a charity and social enterprise, started by the Benevolent Society in 2010 (now independent), who train local-to-the-area people to promote cross cultural understanding, restaurants and other small businesses and food.

We meet our Taste food tour guide, Noorlindah, who has us laughing most of the day. She is a whizz at picking out the different ways the local women wear their hijab and knowing their country of origin as a result. Mind you, she could tell us anything really! We also gained a healthy appreciation for the versatility of carrots from the day.

We passed a butchery, Butcher Ikhwan, renowned for the quality of their frozen kebabs. When we returned to purchase at the end of the day, the kebabs were being freshly made and not ready for sale - so an excuse to return to Merrylands another day.

Our first food stop was to Green Wheat Bakery, home to two types of Afghan bread - plain and sesame and nigella seeds. There are often queues out the door as locals purchase fresh and warm bread two or so times a day. Both breads are huge, delicious and easily devoured.

The Butcher Ikhwan
Green Wheat Bakery
Noor with our fresh, warm bread
Our baker - having a break
Our bakers - hard at work

Our first sit down restaurant was Kabul House, one of the best afghani restaurants in Sydney. We had some wonderful food. Some more of the wonderful bread with an orange coloured jam which took some time and clues for A, one of our group, to guess it was carrot. It would be great with cheese as well. Then some great chive dumplings topped with yoghurt and lentils and Chalaw Gosht - rice, pieces of lamb shank and pickled carrot. Noor advises us that basmati rice is the best rice of all - aged for two years which improves its flavour. The owners were refugees, persecuted Shiite Muslims. Their brother-in-law sold street food and studied under the street lights to successfully become a doctor.

Kabul House restaurant
Carrot jam with afghan bread
Chalaw Gosht
Delicious Dumplings
Wall decoration

On to Ryyan, a Persian Supermarket, where Noor explained how a number of products - dried roses, barberries and sour plums are used. We spied the carrot jam and bought that and a number of great value spices. Noor offered some incredibly sweet Persian Fairy Floss, one piece was enough!

Dried sour plums - perfect with chicken
Dried roses
Ryann Supermarket
The Barberries

Our next stop was Khosh rang, an Afghan and Pakistani clothing and jewellery store. We admired the intricate work and brightness of the clothing and the jewellery. A groom will give his bride top to toe jewellery. Noor reminds us of the importance of gold, referring to it as ‘a ticket to freedom’. Sobering when so many of these peoples’ entry to Australia was as refugees.

Khosh rang for all your clothing needs
Bright and colourful
Lots of jewellery
Lots of details
Bridal jewellery
Afghan hats

We then stopped for Afghani chicken kebab with garlic sauce at Kebab Al Hojat. Typically, Afghan kebabs are served with garlic sauce rather than, say, hummus. Noor assured us it was the best chicken kebab in the suburb. Our chef patiently cooked the meat over coals, very focused on what he was doing. I eventually got him to smile - or maybe it was wind.

We walked to the New Sydney supermarket, full of amazing smelling spices, teas, many prayer beads and shisha pipes. We bought spices and tea, I didn’t notice anyone sneak a pipe in.

The New Sydney supermarket
The supermarket
The spices, the smells!
Shisha pipes and prayer beads

Just as we needed to sit down, we did, at the Shiraz Patisserie and Cafe, selling delicious cakes and biscuits. We had a cake and carrot drink with saffron ice cream, refreshing and different.

The Shiraz Patisserie and Café
Carrot drink with saffron ice cream
Deliciously sweet
Lots of biscuits to take away
Tarts for take away

We then crossed under the railway line, seeing the Merrylands Station Underpass Mural celebrating the history of community development in the Merrylands area since Federation. The artwork was undertaken by students from Catherine McCauley High School, Westmead and Holroyd High School, Greystanes.

We headed to our final destination, Al Shami restaurant, which serves Syrian cuisine. The head chef, Ali Snoubar, cooks everything from scratch. He left Syria with nothing and has acquired all the artefacts and decorations in the restaurant since. His brother is still in a refugee camp.

We finish our amazing meal, hit the food slump and said our goodbyes. A fabulous, informative and fun day.