Rockdale Plaza’s food court is celebrating 30 years as one of southern Sydney’s most diverse culinary destinations, with some vendors having served the community since the centre’s 1994 opening.

The food court, which hosts 22 vendors representing cuisines from China, Vietnam, Lebanon, Greece, India, Turkey, and beyond, has become a gathering place for the multicultural St George community. On any given day, you’ll hear conversations in half a dozen languages while queuing for lunch.

“This place is like a mini United Nations,” said long-time customer Maria Stavros, who has been visiting weekly since 1996. “My kids grew up eating here. Now they bring their kids.”

Original Vendors Still Serving

Three of the original 1994 vendors continue to operate: Pho Hung Vietnamese, Petra Lebanese Cuisine, and Dragon Palace Chinese. Their longevity speaks to both the quality of their food and the loyalty of the St George community.

Kim Tran, whose parents opened Pho Hung 30 years ago, now runs the business with her brother. “My parents worked here every single day for 25 years. They only retired because Mum’s knees gave out. But they still come in on Sundays to check we’re doing the pho properly.”

The Tran family’s beef pho recipe hasn’t changed since opening day. “People would riot if we changed it,” Kim laughed. “We had one customer threaten to never come back when we experimented with a slightly different noodle thickness. We changed back the next day.”

Evolution Over Three Decades

While some things remain constant, the food court has evolved with changing tastes. Recent additions include a Japanese ramen bar, a Korean fried chicken outlet, and a vegan cafe that would have seemed unthinkable in 1994.

“The community has changed, and we’ve changed with it,” said centre manager Anthea Liu. “But we’ve tried to maintain the authentic, family-run feel. We don’t want this to become just another chain food court.”

The centre deliberately prioritises independent operators over franchises. Of the 22 current vendors, only three are chains.

Community Hub

Beyond food, the court serves as an informal community centre. Local seniors meet for morning tea. Students from nearby St George Girls High spread homework across tables in the afternoon. On weekends, extended families gather for long lunches.

Georges River Council has recognised the food court’s cultural significance, including it in their heritage documentation for the Rockdale area.

Anniversary Events

To mark the 30th anniversary, the centre is hosting a month of celebrations throughout October, including cooking demonstrations, live music from local multicultural groups, and discounts from participating vendors.

“Thirty years is a good milestone,” reflected Kim Tran. “But honestly, we’re just focused on the next bowl of pho. That’s always been our approach. Do today well, and tomorrow takes care of itself.”