I’m listening to Giveon’s new album and it’s just a smidge obvious that this man has been hurt quite a bit from a romantic sense during his life (he is the man who penned Heartbreak Anniversary after all). There’s just something unique about the pain from a relationship that lingers more so than a bruise you get from walking into a door frame.

With that being said, the opposite also applies. There’s a joy and sense of passion that you can only get from soul-penetrating love. It’s just not the same as a promotion at work or watching a butterfly lane change (this is when 2 cars simultaneously change lanes in the opposite direction that I obsess over whenever it happens in front of me).

It’s also a sense of love you can find when you tuck into the delicious food at Soul Deli.

Located in the heart of Surry Hills (why does it sound like I’m trying to sell you a studio apartment in a bad part of town); Soul Deli has established itself as a local favourite but also having people from north, south, east and west travelling over to get amongst their modern Korean fare.

Let’s get amongst it.

Soul Deli’s best seller had me trying to pay them a monthly subscription fee so I could have it on demand at any given time. A chicken thigh piece fried to perfection and slathered in sweet chilli sauce (would not have said no to another piece or 4) on top of 3 pillow-soft buttermilk pancakes.

The syrup and butter adds a couple more elements to it and is a flavour bomb more explosive than Michael Jordan lifting off from the free throw line (by the way, I don’t dish out the Jordan comparison much; this is high praise equivalent to being knighted by the Queen).

So balanced like an Olympic gymnast, you have a hit of umami through the cherry tomatoes, saltiness, peppery zing, the fragrance of truffle on a perfect slice of toast. The Soul Deli wizards just accounted for everything like your tax guy that knows every niche deduction when it comes to tax return season.

Finishing this Spanish omelette left me in a state of Spain with a silent S. Can’t wait until I get the chance to return and have this once more.

I can confirm that I went to Soul Deli at breakfast time but anyone who tells you that you can’t have fries first thing in the morning is trying to put a ceiling on your greatness.

Don’t let them do that.

Crunchy fries with a rich creamy sauce and cheese. Absolutely sublime idea on paper, it was my own fault for not attacking the fries straight away as they had time to cool and lose a bit of their crunch but kept all of its rich flavour.

Have no one to blame other than that man in the mirror (what a great Michael Jackson track by the way).

I highly recommend this bowl of nourishment to anyone that’s been hit by the winter blues.

All of those negative feelings, the burden, that unbearable weight of a rough time just lifted as I had spoonful after spoonful of this porridge. It’s the edible equivalent of therapy or a karaoke session where you’re singing sad ballad after sad ballad.

Just so delicious, comforting and leaves you with a warm belly as a souvenir and reminder that everything will be ok.

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Here’s the TL;DR for everyone who expected me to make at least one Soulmate joke and at least 2 jokes about the soles of your shoes.

• This is one of those rare spots where you’re making plans to return before you’ve even finished eating. Get in there and don’t look back (unless it’s at the staff to order seconds and thirds of your favourite dish).

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Soul Deli

Shop 1, 185 Campbell Street

Open 7 Days

7AM – 4PM