Room 27 – Haymarket, Sydney NSW
Clockwise L to R: Room 27 signage reflected on the LED glowing black wall; Suze poses against the shexy wall; seductive mesmerising entrance the Room 27
[This restaurant is no long in business]
There’s one time as I walked past this place after dinner, I totally did a double-take and had to turn back; standing outside for a good 10 seconds wondering what this place was. At that point, I was totally convinced that it is an underground night club runs by Korean mafia.
Or a strip joint?
When there is a big black shiny perplex wall with sparkly, twinkling, glowing LEDs looping constantly in the shades of rainbow – lean on it and take as many photos as you could. It is hard not to get intrigued and attracted by this tiny shexy black entrance like a glow worm cave where a fleet of stairs that leads you deep into the abyss for those who are game. I met up with the tipsy Minh, Suze and Helen who just attended a wine party at Aria, surprisingly needn’t much convincing at all and ready for some shenanigans down below — at Room 27.
Clockwise L to R: crystal curtains are shexy - not your usual Taiwanese cheap eats restaurant; Chinese hot tea; faux leather empty lounges with music videos on plasmas reflected on shiny black wall; razzle dazzle shimmering glam of the crystal curtains
Loud bass is booming and pulsating as we walking down the stairs, my nose is unmistakably hit with a strong whiff of deep frying oil smell as we descend even further. Then suddenly, we found ourselves inside a big kaleidoscope underground with more reflective black shiny walls, Mando-pop on plasma TVs blasting away simultaneously, an empty center stage dying for a karaoke-goer, gorgeous chandeliers hanging on the ceiling, faux leather lounges and sparkly black table tops. On top of that, we are most in awe or should I say feeling gay with the long drapes of crystal curtains which the Priscilla, Queen of the desert will easily call it home.
Taiwanese style stewed pork trotter with rice - 10.80
If not because of the greasy smell trapped inside, I would still believe that Room 27 is an underground night club lair. I found it even more peculiar that I am actually sitting inside this glamorous den and chowing down some Taiwanese cheap eats served in plastic plates, bowls and glasses. The girls share a pot of hot tea while I go for a Lychee de Coco drink – fancy name for a glass of coconut juice with lychee jelly. I decided to splurge out and order the big plate of Taiwanese style pork foot (trotter) rice, with mah po tofu and pickled vegetables on the side. There is seriously nothing glamorous about sucking on some fat trotters to the bone.
Clockwise L to R: fried chicken wings with rice - 10.80; perfect backdrop while Suze twittering; Deep fried chicken pieces - 7.80; shimmering crystal curtains
We decided to give the restaurant an extra spray of Eau de Grease by ordering more fried food. Suze’s fried chicken wing with rice apparent to be tad spicy with the crunchy coating and dry on the inside. And with the side of spicy hot mah po tofu ain’t helping either, Suze is soon giving up on the dish while the rest happily sharing a plate of more deep fried chicken pieces. Those crunchy lumps of off cuts and chicken skins are some damn fine oily heart-clogging jewels.
And I still can’t believe I am eating KFC in a strip joint.
Chinese special noodle soup - 8.80
Helen is rather disappointed with her Chinese special noodle soup which turns out to be not so special after all. I had a taste of the soup which is watery bland just as how it looks. It seems the flavour of the dish is heavily rely on the small smidgen of soy braised pork and hard boiled egg. Another dish abandoned, and resolved to more fried food.
Clockwise L to R: deep fried pork chop -8.80; shimmering crystal curtain reflecting on sparkly dark table top; foodbloggers paparazzi-ing the front entrance of Room 27; The Room 27 that leads to no where, I dare ya
More deep fry you say? Totally. The deep fried pork chop seems to be more popular among all the dishes with its golden brown crispy skin on the outside and the pork cutlet inside which is a tad chewy I found. In fact, the deep-fried-saga continues two days after and I found myself at this restaurant again with Helen and this time we bring along a new victim — Peter G, who really thought that we are going to kidnap him and sell him into man-ho slavery. Instead, we fed him with a $27 special promotion of fried food happiness — a party platter of deep-fried tofu, fishcakes, chicken wings and fatty Chinese sausage (Lup Cheong) and washed down with a jug of beer.
If dazzling crystal curtains and deep fried food is not your thing, there is always a karaoke session for those who feels like breaking into tunes and sing for the whole restaurant, according to Room 27 website, I can’t wait for my next Mariah Carey act at Room 27.
Room 27 Basement level 27-33 Goulburn Street, Sydney P: +61 (02) 8084 7880 Opening hours Monday to Thursday 11.30am - 11.30pm Friday and Saturday 12.00pm - 12.00am Sunday 11.30am - 10.00pm
A Table For Two (ATFT) is Billy Law's food blog that features best eats in Sydney and around the world with drool-worthy food photography to salivate your appetite. I also throw in a smidgen of my food and travel photography for good measure. Billy Law also happened to be a contestant on MasterChef Australia 2011. 
No video? And I didn’t even realise they had a website. I could totally see you working Emotions too! lol
.-= Helen (GrabYourFork)´s last blog ..Harbourside Market, Wellington, New Zealand =-.
LOL! I remember that place! I’m not one to say no to fried food (within reason) but I could smell the oil on me for a few days! “man ho slavery”…LOL! even more!
.-= Peter G´s last blog ..Crumpets For Breakfast =-.
loving your decor shots. very cool.
LOL i visited this place when it first opened, nothing remarkable except for the ambiance, from your post it seems like not much has changed
.-= K´s last blog ..The 15 minute Leggo’s Challenge – Italian Beef Casserole =-.
the best two things in life mixed together – food & ktv!
that is heaven.
It looks very psychadelic. Is that how you spell that word? ehehe
.-= Katherine´s last blog ..Key Lime Pie =-.
Wow. You guys actually went there! Bravo! So many times I have looked at the menu, ventured inside then promptly walked back out lest some human trafficker grab me and sell my less-than-young body to the sex trade or convert me to human char siu bao. Good to be able to see inside through your lens without the perilous dangers that lurk within..
.-= Forager´s last blog ..The Deadliest Catch of Alaskan Crab =-.
The person who designed the restaurant is so stuck in a time warp! From the door and the name, never would have picked this place to serve chinese food.
.-= Simon´s last blog ..No. 1 Star for Lunch – Ichiban Boshi, Bondi Junction =-.
I still have yet to try this hmmm but heard stuff about it being overpriced and small
hee hee love the paparazzi shot
.-= FFichiban´s last blog ..Bird Cow Fish – Surry Hills, Sydney =-.
ahh the warm comforting glow of an iphone screen…
.-= chocolatesuze´s last blog ..chocolate case for iphone [7] =-.
You know what?! I forgot to download the videos to my machine! So all gone… I guess we just have to go again to do some more videos! LOL
Hehehehe sure you remember that place cuz you loved it!
You fit in so nicely, all we need is to find you a frock! 
Thanks Simon!
The ambiance is definitely nothing but everything!
Hehehehe… I am not sure I am comfortable to sing to all strangers in the restaurant!
You spelled it right, and yes. it is Psy.cha.de.lic! YEAH BABYYYY!!!
Hehehehe… well it was interesting that’s for sure. But who knows what’s really happening behind those closed doors really…
not Chinese, Taiwanese food.
Well, are you saying those crytals beads on Masterchef show is stuck in time warp too? 
Taiwanese go !! U Taiwanese must go yo!
You were having a suntan.
Don’t go there, Don’t go there, i book a room for 13 people, on that day, they didn’t open for us. No call, No people, Nothing, very very poor res.