Lolas Island Shop

I went on a culinary discovery journey to the Pacific island of Tonga today! Just kidding, It's only Lola's Island Shop right here in Heckenberg. But I'm a big advocate for exploring new foods to pretend like you're overseas anyway 😉. I've been meaning to visit Lola's again for a long time now, to try all of their Tongan and Samoan hot foods out the back of the store. Last visit, we only tried the lamb buns and the raw fish ('Ota), but this time we tackled the lamb curry, sapasui, lu sipi and coconut cream taro and banana. You'll see it all in an upcoming YouTube video (subscribe to the channel to stay tuned‼🫶).
I find it amazing though that island cuisine uses the same few core ingredients in all of their food, whether the dishes be savoury or sweet. We're talking cassava, taro, sweet potato, lamb and coconut cream. I also find it amazing that there are so many similarities between island cuisine and SE Asian cuisine. You can attribute that to Chinese migration to Samoa a century or two ago!
One of the most interesting things I tried today were these dessert dumplings called "faikakai". The yellow one was called faikakai manioke, which was made from cassava, and the green one was faikakai ngou'a, made from taro leaves and tapioca starch. The ngou'a had the same texture as a boba pearl, but with a somewhat healthier veg taste to it. It can be an acquired taste, but you definitely need to pour the coconut caramel on top! It adds levels of sweetness to the faikakai and you'll see why this dessert is usually reserved for special occasions or celebrations in Tonga.
That being said, every day is a celebration living in Sydney, and this is a reminder to explore your local suburbs and eat curiously 😁 you'll never know what cool things you might come across.
📍 Lola's Island Shop, Heckenberg

So I live in Kingsford, Sydney. from Melbourne. and for a year I been trying to find a Pacific islander shop to buy hot food. I followed my google maps and ended up here. WOW I was absolutely impressed with the kind genuine customer services that the girls presented, being Tahitian that speaks French and a little Samoan, I was expecting to speak Samoan to communicate, but it was not the case, I know that real fresh islanders and how they present themselves as not welcoming in some stores. especially the way I look to an island community. Lolas Island Shop has given a guy hope that can't cook Island food, something to look forward to, instead of flying home to mum every 2nd weekend. but now I'm going to start driving a 2 1/2 hour return trip just to visit this store to get my fix, I recommend the store. and very well priced then Melbourne. 👍

Was just randomly selecting nearby shops and found this place. The chop suey and lamb buns were full of flavour- will definitely come back to try other dishes

The food was soo good! and reasonably priced too! the otai, chop suey, taro & lamb buns were yum azz & a large variety of island gears (singlets, hoodies, bucket hats, caps etc.) at the store too. The best island store for island food in West Sydney for sure!

First time trying the cuisine. And definitely worth many revisits! Extremely delicious and very friendly staff! If you're a fan of lamb you're definitely love the food at Lola's! And the pink fruit drink is a must try!

Love this place and the family running, but just a heads up the fish (ota ika) and some other items are only from wed-sun. Went on a Tuesday and no fish or Lu Sipi.

Friendly staff and good food! Great prices too in my opinion. ! I travelled an hour to get it I’d go back for sure!

Super delicious 🙏 Cake’ buns* salted Beef, Lusipi, Roast Pork, Roast Lamb, Chop Sui, taro & banana’s in coconut cream $200 + for 2 families 💚💚💚💚💚💚💚 otai 2litres 1st time ever seen 💎 Plenty of left overs for School and work, fresh Kai made for family feels very impressed 💚💚💚💚💚 we made it back to the city 🌆 super awesome dinner only regret is we didn’t buy more - we will be back for the bunny POPO on the weekend 💎💎 thank you kiora kiorana Arohanui 🙏

Beautiful people beautiful foods
Would recommend support Choo hoo

Island food heaven!! 🙌🏾♥☺ No place like this in the city and travelled 50 minutes to get here, it’s so nice to be greeted by familiar island favourites. By far this is the best presented store with large array of cooked food and cakes. If you are planning to visit, bring your appetite, a few friends and immerse yourself in the delicious flavours of the pacific islands. Location saved! I will be back #vinaka 💚🤙🏾

Absolutely love this place. Their cooked food is always on point 👌🏾 Very convenient location. Staff members are all lovely and they have most of the things I need ❤

Legit the best island food ive eaten ever!!!! The ota ika & lamb buns were my favourite!!! Friendly staff too!! Only negative is the small space. Other than that cant wait to shop/eat again.

We have been here once and the food was really nice. From the Lū Sipi to the Sapasui and the buns. Really really nice! Definitely coming back. Ifo Lelei! 😋

OMG that this islanders food sooooo good trust me never miss a beat everytime I had a Sydney trip
It is gorgeous

Viola is very friendly & helpful, nice shop with very hard to get products (in particular Tonga) from the pacific, things you don’t see everyday here in Sydney, as well as great tasting food made fresh every day.

Was so busy today but I understand Sundays always are?! Food was hot,fresh & tasty sowe will definetly be back:)

Look everyone has different taste in judgement, some people are fussy, some enjoy whatever they get served but for me It was great, turkey tails were big and the mamoes were good,look the price is what it is, they weigh your food for that price to show but I'm not complaining cause it's her business and I'm not the type to try and stop someone from doing good in life, food is food, if you enjoy it that's all that matters, its worth it, even though I'm on a healthy eating diet, but when I went there last week, I thought about it next day, to me it was the best, big size and taste good, if I didn't care about what I eat I'd go there every day, but yeah good food,

Love this place, I buy from here everyday, big or small I always seem to find myself there, lol. food is yummy and customer service is great.
SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BUSINESSES

Love the Otai and the Curry it has to be the only Curry that I actually liked out of all island shops IV ever been to highly recommend and to support our Polynesian shops

Have been coming here for the last year now and I am still OBSSESED with the OTAI here, so happy they have 2 litre bottles now doesn't last long in our house tho 🤭🤭🤭 Thanks Lolas