Mr Crackles @ Darlinghurst

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Crackling pork rolls have been gaining a lot of attention lately.

It seems the humble pork belly roll has never enjoyed as much attention as it does now. Fine-dining chefs are ditching the crisp white table linens and concentrate on serving simple affordable pork rolls from a little shopfront.



Pork belly was once considered an inferior grade of meat because of its high fatty content and not deemed classy enough for fine dining tables.

However, pork belly was considered a culinary delights for the Vietnamese, the Chinese and the Korean. These countries were not affluent to start with and they could not afford prime rib-eye steaks. So in order to eat within budget, they masterfully turned pork belly into ultra sensational dishes - such as the famous Vietnamese crackling pork belly...



As the name suggests, Mr Crackles specializes in crackling pork snack meal and the best roast pork sandwich in Sydney. It is located right in the heart of the Oxford Street in Darlinghurst and it is insanely popular day and night.

When we walked in, my attention was immediately taken by the display of large slab of cracklings in the glass counter. A cup of crackling for only $5! How could one resist that offer?



It was a novelty savory snack and a must-try if it's your first time to Mr Crackles. The crackling slabs were salty, crispy and addictive. However, I was not sure if this was a healthier alternative to the twice-deep fried fries.



I ordered the signature Crackles Classic Pork Roll ($12). We did not have to wait long for this fresh Vietnamese roll to appear. It was filled with roast pork, pickled carrot and cucumber salad with generous mayonnaise. The focus of this roll was not on the salad, but those fatty chucks of roast pork belly. They were slow cooked with five spices and they tasted tender, sweet and moist.



Mr Crackles aims to please so they topped the roll with glistering golden crispy cracklings. You will be happy to know these porky cracklings sure delivered a pleasing loud crunch sound.

I eyed the 'Manwich' on the menu which boasted 'twice the meat, and half the salad' initially, but glad I did not. The regular pork roll was quite sufficient.



My friend was feeling ravenous so she ordered a Roll of the month ($13.50) and it was a chewy white bread roll topped with sticky BBQ pork, smokey BBQ, ranch, salad and golden crispy onion rings! The serving was generous and it was oozing with deliciousness from every angle.

Manners were tossed aside and we picked up the rolls with both hands and watched the caramelised sauce dripped down our fingers. It was messy to eat but the sticky BBQ pork was tangy, savory and absolutely amazing. The soft tender pork slices juxtaposed beautifully against the crunchy onion rings; and the Asian slaw added some freshness.

To say the least, it was a mind blowing roll.



Mr Crackles is not pretentious or apologetic about their offerings. It is not a big International fast food franchise that needs to dish up a non-committal salad and nutritious value info on the side. Don't expect to see a healthy quinoa or kale salad to balance out the heavy meaty meal. Everything here is pure pork, grease and censured happiness. In short, it's a male or carnivore's paradise.



Our taste buds were on a cloud 9. I was not too sure if our arteries were pleased with our lunch choices. Perhaps an extra hour (or 2) at the gym is required?

The shop is a take-away style with very limited seating inside. Service is quick with a good sense of humor. A good late-night snack bar for convenience, quality and happiness.

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