The Unbearable Lightness of Being Hungry | A Sydney Food Blog

Can we have a Koko Black chocolate salon in Sydney, please?

August 24th, 2009  |  Published in Uncategorized  |  6 Comments

Chai praline, Koko Black

Anytime you mention a planned trip to Canberra – our nation’s notoriously overplanned and inoffensive capital – you’ll often hear a snicker or witness a raised eyebrow in response. It’s like telling someone you plan to spend your holidays doing full-time laundry.

The city has a reputation for being an immensely boring place (and often the biggest Canberra naysayers are people who used to live there), and I’m not going to wade into the prickly pro/anti-Canberra debate here. The place does have one undeniable ace, though: a branch of Koko Black.

Pralines from Koko Black

Sadly, this chocolate salon brand has yet to extend to Sydney (it seems a little geographically unfair there are six in Melbourne and zero up here), but it does instantly redeem any 3-hour-bus-trips to Canberra.

So, no surprises that Koko Black was my first point-of-call after stumbling out of the coach terminal.

I couldn’t buy the entire salon’s stock and relocate it back to Sydney, but I did purchase a bag of Strawberry Callebaut Callets ($6.85), a block of cocoa nib-speckled chocolate ($7.85) and quite a few pralines.

Pralines from Koko Black

I picked out the Chai Tea, Mango & Vanilla, Dulce de Leche, Coffee and Hazelnut Crisp flavours ($12 per 100g). Whenever I have to select from a massive display, I always get regrettable what-I-want-to-order amnesia (or super-flushed and hopeless because I’m worried that I’m holding up the queue), so in my rush, I missed out the Raspberry Puree, which I wish I’d tried.

Hazelnut Crisp, Koko Black

My favourites were the Mango & Vanilla – its lovely tropical and creamy taste whisks you straight into summer – and the Hazelnut Crisp, with its delicious sprinkle of crushed wafers and sweet, nutty texture (which you can see in close-up, from the photo I’ve taken).

If my stash doesn’t last me ’til my next interstate visit, can we have a Koko Black in Sydney? Our city is a serial choc-cafe philanderer and has an open relationship with many cocoa salons – it’s a trend this Melbourne-based chain should completely take advantage of.

Otherwise, I might need to buy another ticket down to Canberra.

Koko Black, Canberra Centre, Bunda Street, Canberra ACT (02) 6230 4040, www.kokoblack.com

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6 Comments

  1. art4friends says:

    oh no! what are you doing to me! I will have to get in my car and drive to CANBERRA right NOW!

    I love those pink drops.

    So yum.

  2. Betty says:

    i’ve been, but wasnt too impressed!
    but, it is a gem in canberra, and i always stop by whenever i’m in the area

  3. wendy h says:

    please send your article to their head office!!!

  4. gianduja says:

    former KB head chocalatier Arno Backes has set up his own in Melbourne – Ganache at 250 Toorak Rd, South Yarra.

    You absolutely have to try it when you are in town – the geranium is to die for!!!!

    Love your blog, so envious you have time to keep it updated!

  5. Jessica says:

    Hi Lee!
    I’m not sure if you know this already but we are opening 2 Koko Black Salons in Sydney late March! So keep an eye out and check our pages to get updates on it!

    Jess – Koko Black Team

    • Lee Tran Lam says:

      Hi Jessica, thanks for getting in touch! I saw a sign for a new store in the Strand, so I’m happy to see that you’re finally “invading” Sydney. Thanks for letting me know!

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About

Hi, I'm Lee Tran Lam. When not blogging with my mouth full, I'm usually writing, presenting Local Fidelity on FBi radio, making zines, producing podcasts or continually breaking promises about how I really am gonna get through my book pile one day.

All the good pictures on this blog are by photography ace (and patient boyfriend), Will Reichelt, (all the dodgy ones can be credited to me)!

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This is a blog I do for pure fun and zero influence – there's no sponsorship, sneaky advertorial or advertising. I pay for all the food mentioned, 'cos it seems the ethical thing to do.


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This is a blog about eating and drinking in Sydney, Australia (with the odd cross-border or off-topic detour). BYO appetite.

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