Blok M
INDONESIAN
380 LITTLE BOURKE STREET, MELBOURNE
(03) 9600 2534 • MAP P.281
UNLICENSED
OPEN THURS–SAT 11AM–9PM, SUN–WED 11AM–10PM
ENTREES $3–$7, MAINS $8.50–$12.50
CASH ONLY
This little, low-key eatery names itself after Blok M in Jakarta – a vibrant laneway hub of high and low culture, clubs, restaurants and bars. While this Blok M may not contain all the trash and treasure of its namesake, it is still a hot attraction for plenty of young Indonesians and other curious diners. The undisputed star of Blok M is the fried whole fish: variations on this crispy and (warning) bony delight include one served with the delicious and potentially addictive balado sauce. This West Sumatran sauce may be as common in Indonesia as tomato sauce is here, but it wins hands down for sweet, tangy flavour with its blend of chilli, tomato, garlic and shrimp paste. You’ll also find more familiar fare like beef rendang, house-made satays, nasi goreng and the lesser known nasi gudeg jogia, made with sweet, unripe jackfruit. To drink, there are smoothies and sodas done Indo-style. The Blok M interior is pretty basic but well set up for small groups to eat, talk, laugh and enjoy top ten hits on the stereo.
By Korea
KOREAN
SHOP 1, 222 LA TROBE STREET, MELBOURNE
(03) 9662 2370 • MAP P.276
LICENSED
OPEN MON–SAT NOON–LATE, SUN 1PM–10PM
MAINS $15–$25
ALL CARDS ACCEPTED
By Korea is a popular lunch and dinner spot for students and is part of a growing taste for Korean food and the casual, social dining that goes with it. Hearty soups and stews are favourites here, conjuring up images of freezing Korean winters and rooms full of hungry eaters warming themselves with steaming hot bowls. While Melbourne winters may not quite live up to this, By Korea does serve authentic Korean fare that will warm your cockles on a cool night. The classic kimchi and the tofu stew with seafood are spicy, flavoursome and good value when shared between friends. Another favourite is bibim bob, an artfully presented mixed dish of white rice topped with seasoned sautéed vegetables, chilli paste, egg and sliced meat or seafood which is stirred together just before eating. The cold noodles served in a sweet and savoury broth and topped with fresh cucumber are a tangy delight and the ‘special dishes for liquor’ are designed for those feeling thirsty and up for some home-style fried chicken and a kimchi.
Chillipadi
ASIAN
SHOP OE7, MENZIES ALLEY, MELBOURNE CENTRAL, 211 LA TROBE STREET, MELBOURNE
(03) 9663 5688 • MAP P.276
LICENSED
OPEN SUN–WED NOON–9.30PM, THURS NOON–1AM, FRI & SAT NOON–5AM
ENTREES $2.90–$8.90, MAINS $14.90–$29.50, DESSERTS $8, BANQUETS $19–$25
ALL CARDS ACCEPTED
LOCATIONS ALSO IN WATERFRONT CITY, WATERGARDENS, CBD & KENSINGTON
This multi-level restaurant in the Melbourne Central shopping centre caused quite a stir when it opened a few years back. The buzz might have shifted over to the younger Chillipadi Mamak Kopitiam in Kensington, but the city post still serves reasonably priced food that attracts students and others looking for satisfying hawker-style Asian food. The Thai and Malaysian dishes are particularly strong: the slow-cooked chicken curry and beef rendang are rich, melt-in-your-mouth good, with distinct flavours of coconut and spices. Laksas are cheap, enormous and tasty – liberally garnished with fresh coriander and bean sprouts. The five-course banquet is on the money and buys you a ticket to eat your way from Shanghai to Delhi. Nightbirds can also enjoy the Chillipadi experience until the wee hours on weekends.
Coconut House
MALAYSIAN
449 ELIZABETH STREET, MELBOURNE
(03) 9329 6401 • MAP P.281
UNLICENSED
OPEN DAILY 11AM–9.30PM
MAINS $7.60–$11
CASH ONLY
This busy, cluttered little joint isn’t called Coconut House for nothing: every dish will remind you just how much Malaysians love this tropical staple, whether it’s served in a delicious laksa or infused in a mound of steaming rice. The house laksa is the stand-out dish here: a big, flavoursome bowl of vermicelli and angel hair noodles sitting in a small lake of coconut and chilli oil. The laksa special includes a fried chicken drumstick, prawns and a gooey fried egg. Malaysian drinks are an adventure in themselves – try the cendol with its fluorescent green pieces of mung-bean flour, red beans, ice and of course coconut milk for a fun aperitif or dessert. Coconut House doesn’t offer much in the way of ambience, save for the Malaysian TV and faux colonial lampposts, but the service is fast. The seating is squishy, but now there’s more just a few doors down at Little Coconut House – a bluestone outpost where the meals are delivered by handcart from the main restaurant.
Darac Bar & Grill
KOREAN
51 A’BECKETT STREET, MELBOURNE
(03) 9662 2441 • MAP P.276
LICENSED
OPEN MON–FRI 11.30AM–3PM, 5.30PM–11PM, SAT 5.30PM–11PM
ENTREES $8–$11, MAINS $14–$22
ALL CARDS ACCEPTED
It’s easy to miss this hip little eatery nestled under an old brick warehouse, but plenty of Korean students are onto it, making Darac a local hot spot. The spicy, pickled national dish kimchi is the flavour of the day here, served as a condiment or used as a base for stews. The Korean Army Stew may not be to all tastes with its inclusion of Spam, but it’s a taste of history, stemming from post–Korean War meat shortages, and continues to be popular. This and other hearty stews are served as raw ingredients cooked in stock on a gas flame at the table until they reduce to a rich, soupy sauce, best enjoyed with Korean beer. Another favourite is the marinated beef or pork bulgogi, or ‘fire meat’, barbecued and served with gyoza salad and steamed rice. Darac may not be as cheap as some but two or three people can easily share a stew for under $30. And for those with a thirst, the bar offers soju-based cocktails that can be enjoyed long after dinner is over.
Don Don
JAPANESE
321 SWANSTON STREET, MELBOURNE
(03) 9662 3377 • MAP P.276
UNLICENSED
OPEN DAILY 11AM–9PM
MAINS $6.10–$8.90
CASH ONLY
LOCATIONS ALSO IN SOUTH MELBOURNE, CBD & CARLTON
Don Don is a cheap eats institution in Melbourne, and the fastest food on the grid. So fast, in fact, you’ll wonder whether the staff can slip through time. Because speed is the name of the game here, you’d better have your meal chosen and tenner ready or risk holding up the queue – and you don’t want to mess with a don waiting for his sukiyaki. Perfect for a quick meal before drinks or the flicks, Don Don serves fresh, though not terribly authentic, Japanese fast food: think rice (don) and noodles (udon) with shredded beef; diced pork and chicken; sushi; soups; and more complete bento boxes with a bit of everything, including pickles and fruit. The tiny stools and benches don’t encourage anyone to linger, so even if it’s full when you enter you’ll get a seat by the time you’ve ordered. Or if you don’t fancy a stoush and the weather’s nice, you can wander across the road to the State Library lawn. No matter how you look at it, Don Don is exceptional value for money.
Dumpling Sisters
CHINESE
229 EXHIBITION STREET, MELBOURNE
(03) 9663 1888 • MAP P.277
UNLICENSED
OPEN MON–THURS 11AM–10PM, FRI & SAT 11AM–10.30PM, SUN 11AM–9.30PM
ENTREES $3.80–$8.50, MAINS $8.80–$18.80
CASH ONLY
The ladies who work the floor of this restaurant want to serve you dumplings! Their eagerness is endearing, but their menu of more than 100 dishes is almost overwhelming. There are myriad dumpling combinations to choose from, all made in the little kitchen at the back of the shop. The dumplings are light and not too starchy, and are available steamed or pan-fried. But it’s wontons they do best here – get them in a spicy soup for extra zing. The snacks menu is a bargain biter’s paradise, and their pork buns are a reliable accompaniment to any dumpling dalliance. Decidedly lo-fi – tissues on the table, help yourself to the limited range of soft drinks and iced teas – Dumpling Sisters feels like a food court and is as quick as one too. Conveniently nestled on Exhibition Street in the theatre district, this is a cheap and easy destination for a dumpling dash before a show.
Es Teler 77
INDONESIAN
319 SWANSTON STREET, MELBOURNE
(03) 9663 4243 • MAP P.276
UNLICENSED
OPEN DAILY 11.30AM–8.30PM
ENTREES $4.50–$7.50, MAINS $7.50–$13, DESSERTS $3.75–$4.75
CASH ONLY
LOCATIONS ALSO IN CARLTON & MALVERN
Indonesian eateries are so often fun, and this youth-oriented franchise is certainly no exception. Named after a fruit-filled, syrupy drink, which is massively popular in its home country, Es Teler 77 attracts mostly Indonesian students wanting a consistent and authentic dining experience. The fluorescent decor and branding dominate the downstairs dining area, while the upstairs room combines all of the above with faux timber panelling and a feeling of being in some minor Indonesian city. Yes, it’s a little bit shabby and definitely not chic, but it’s entirely homely and the menu is chock-full of good, honest Indonesian favourites like fried chicken, noodle soups and gorengs, all served promptly by the friendly staff. Es Teler 77 is at its most fun on the drinks list – particularly for Western palates that aren’t familiar with such obvious combinations as avocado juice and chocolate condensed milk. After getting your fill, try the jackfruit snow ice – fun, fruity and refreshing.
Gami Chicken & Beer
KOREAN
100 LITTLE LONSDALE STREET, MELBOURNE
(03) 9671 3232 • MAP P.277
LICENSED
OPEN DAILY 1PM–3PM, 5PM–LATE
ENTREES $6–$12, MAINS $12–$30
ALL MAJOR CARDS ACCEPTED
Gami Chicken & Beer is no-frills, good-time dining. It ain’t no date diner, but it’s a great spot to gather your gang and gnaw on the carcass of your favourite white meat, deepfried original style or doused in sweet chilli or honey soy garlic flavours. Upon entering you’re immediately served complimentary crackers and radish and offered a list of light and quaffable Korean beers. Max beer is indeed a ‘delicious idea’, as its label proclaims, but the real deal is the house beer served in a tabletop keg. To accompany your chicken there’s kimchi, coleslaw and the house speciality comfort food, sweetcorn and cheese – described on the menu as ‘simply corn and cheese’, which of course it is. There’s seating upstairs and in booths at ground level, as well as a small bar overlooking the street, which feels just like sitting at the bench of your local dirty bird, only you’re looking out at the historic intersection of Exhibition and Little Lon instead of some rubbish-strewn car park in an outer suburb you don’t even know the name of.
Han Guuk Guan
CHINESE/KOREAN
13 VICTORIA STREET, MELBOURNE
(03) 9639 1747 • MAP P.276
LICENSED & BYO, CORKAGE $2.50 A HEAD
OPEN DAILY 11.00AM–10.00PM
ENTREES $8–$15, MAINS $11–$35
ALL MAJOR CARDS ACCEPTED
It’s entirely understandable if, when searching for Han Guuk Guan among all the office and apartment towers of this end of Victoria Street, you start to feel like you’re in the wrong place. The strong garlic and spice aromas might lead you in the right direction, though. Stuck between two large buildings, Han Guuk Guan is a small, house-like structure that sits back from the main footpath. The open kitchen creates a clattering soundtrack as staff go about their work. Most mains are bowls or platters large enough to share and are served with traditional Korean sides of kimchi, chilli sauce, bean sprouts, cubed potatoes and soy sauce. Monday is half-price barbecue day (and the Chinese menu is off limits), if you’re keen to try the grill in the table. Don’t let yourself be deterred by the duct-taped chairs or plywood walls. The experience of delicious food in large portions at fair prices makes up for where the decor fails.
TOP 5 LATENIGHT EATS
NIGHT GET AWAY FROM YOU BEFORE YOU GOT AROUND TO EATING? NOT TO WORRY, THIS TOWN HAS ALL BASES COVERED SO YOU NEED NEVER BE LATE TO THE TABLE AGAIN.
This dimly lit Eastern European darling serves vodkas by the shot, borsch by the bowl and a range of traditionally presented hearty fare from stroganoff to goulash. Cocktails and crepes for dessert.
Chin Chin
125 FLINDERS LANE, MELBOURNE • (03) 8663 2000
WWW.CHINCHINRESTAURANT.COM.AU • LICENSED
OPEN DAILY NOON–3PM, 5PM–LATE • ENTREES $3.50–$28,
MAINS $12–$34, DESSERTS $9–$12 • ALL MAJOR CARDS
Large and loud, the very new Chin Chin makes for a good time into the wee hours with reasonably priced and flavourful South-East Asian share food, beer in a paper bag and a topnotch bar.
Embassy Taxi Cafe
547 SPENCER STREET, WEST MELBOURNE • (03) 9328 1830
UNLICENSED • OPEN DAILY 24 HOURS • ENTREES $3.50–
$10, MAINS $5–$30, DESSERTS $3–$4 • CASH ONLY
Established in 1962 and open twenty-four hours a day, the Embassy serves no-nonsense burgers to all manner of clubbers, drivers and shift workers. This place is a rite of passage, and the burgers are memorable too.
Sexi-Mexi Mamasita has deconstructed the often stodgy style of Mexican cantinas and turned Melburnians into tequila connoisseurs. There are no bookings, but the service is speedy and the turnover quick.
This lo-fi late-night stalwart serves traditional Cantonese to a mixed crowd of chefs, waiters, musos and other night owls. The queue down the stairs after all these years says a lot about the food.
Harajuku Crepes
CREPES
SHOP 148, KNOX PLACE, MELBOURNE CENTRAL, MELBOURNE
(03) 9654 9775 • MAP P.276
UNLICENSED
OPEN MON–WED 10.30AM–9.30PM, THURS–SUN
10.30AM–10PM
CREPES $6–$7
NO BOOKINGS
CASH ONLY
LOCATION ALSO IN WANTIRNA SOUTH
If you’ve ever experienced Takeshita Street in Tokyo, you’ll know what you’re in for at this hole-in-the-wall eatery. There, stands selling crepes are festooned with shiny plastic models of each finished pancake. Bless this faraway outpost of Japanese quirkiness, because it, too, has fake crepes, plump with pretend whipped cream and oozy faux jam. It’s really all about the theatre: you order your choice (either sweet or savoury) then girls spread the batter on huge skillets, add fillings, and fold the result into a paper cone so you can eat it singlehandedly. The same batter is used for both sweet and savoury versions, which means everything is, well, sweet. Not surprisingly, it’s a popular spot with the kids, many of them sporting school uniform. Having invariably ordered a crepe filled with Nutella, they pop themselves down on one of the plastic tub chairs in the window. While you might not want to eat a whole meal here (for fear of falling into a sugar coma) it’s a great spot for a treat if you’re going to the cinema upstairs.
Horoki Casual Dining Bar
JAPANESE
19 LIVERPOOL STREET, MELBOURNE
(03) 9663 2227 • MAP P.277
LICENSED
OPEN MON–FRI NOON–2.30PM, 6PM–11PM, SAT 6PM–11PM
ENTREES $4.50–$9, MAINS $8–$14.50, DESSERTS $9
ALL CARDS ACCEPTED
This tiny, lo-fi, casual Japanese dining bar serves sometimes confusing but always interesting flavours from across Asia – and the Mediterranean too. Its short, eclectic menu features the Japanese standards, but the strangest combinations are the ones that provide the pleasantest surprises: prawns with slivered almonds, tuna tataki with parmesan, crispy seafood rice cakes and cod-roe butter pasta with seaweed. Seriously! Service is casually provided by Japanese staff, who are at times unconfident and struggle to explain the dishes – but this also leaves you enough space to concentrate on the delicate flavours and the plum wine cocktails, and gives you enough room for your conversation to wander into territory as wild as the food. Portions are small so sample widely from this adventurous – and fun – menu.
HuTong Dumpling Bar
CHINESE
14–16 MARKET LANE, MELBOURNE
(03) 9650 8128 • MAP P.277
LICENSED & BYO, CORKAGE $3 A HEAD
OPEN SUN–THURS 11.30AM–3PM, 5.30PM–10.30PM, FRI & SAT 11.30AM–3PM, 5.30PM–11.30PM
ENTREES $4–$10, MAINS $10–$20, DESSERTS $6.50–$9.80
ALL MAJOR CARDS ACCEPTED
LOCATION ALSO IN SOUTH YARRA
Melburnians are Donkey Kong for dumplings, and HuTong Dumpling Bar is our high temple of Jiaozi. But the dumpling craze isn’t some New Gold Mountain fad, as this museum of Chinese cuisine thoughtfully informs us with its history of dumplings. Unsurprisingly, dumplings are the star attractions here. The xiao long bao, with its superior soup on the inside, is a near orgasmic dumpling experience, as are the combination money bags and the curious but delicious sautéed soy beans with beancurd leaves and Shanghai pickles. And while the dumplings are dirt cheap, this ain’t no dirty diner. HuTong offers refined dumpling dining with polished service from its staff, including a little education in dumpling degustation as well as some linguistic guidance for some of the trickier menu items. It can be near impossible to get a table, so book in advance or try your luck for a late walk-in.
J-Pub Shogun Izakaya Yakitori
JAPANESE
SHOP 3, 233 LONSDALE STREET, MELBOURNE
(03) 9663 3996 • MAP P.276
LICENSED
OPEN MON–WED 4PM–MIDNIGHT, THURS–SAT 4PM–1AM
SHARED DISHES $8.50–$20, MAINS $12.50–$17.50, DESSERTS $7.50
ALL CARDS ACCEPTED
Melburnians love an izakaya. It’s the tapas of the twenty-first century. By all accounts, the izakaya stemmed from sake drinking stalls that allowed people to have a quick seat and a bite to eat while they drank. So the focus is traditionally more on the drinking than the eating. J-Pub certainly offers plenty on the drinking side of things, with an array of Japanese beers, a quirky cocktail menu (the ‘Hello Kitty’ is quite good) and a variety of sake and shochu (a nuttier and stronger sake-ish beverage). But don’t ignore the food. The yakitori part of J-Pub’s name refers to the skewered and grilled food group that used to always be chicken, but now encompasses meats and vegetables of all kinds. Shiitake mushrooms, in particular, love the smokiness and richness of the yakitori treatment. The atmosphere is loud, fluoro-lit and vaguely pub-like, so maybe don’t take a date. But, like other fun, simple and chilled-out places in this neck o’ the woods, J-Pub is a good place to kick off a rather large night out.
Laksa Me
MALAYSIAN/THAI
SHOP 1, 16 LIVERPOOL STREET, MELBOURNE
(03) 9639 9885 • MAP P.277
LICENSED & BYO, CORKAGE $10 A BOTTLE
OPEN MON–FRI NOON–3PM, 6PM–10.30PM, SAT & SUN 5PM–10PM
ENTREES $3.50–$8, MAINS $9–$24
ALL MAJOR CARDS ACCEPTED
With its exposed infrastructure and freestanding heaters and coolers, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’re in a half-finished eatery. But the good folk at Laksa Me will ensure your meal is fully cooked and delicious to boot. The home-style dishes burst with the tantalising flavours and aromas intrinsic to Malaysian and Thai cuisine – fresh lemongrass and basil, deliciously pungent shrimp paste and sweet palm sugar. After sampling a light and tangy snack such as the Thai-style oysters or deep-fried wontons, go for the signature My Mum’s Laksa (fresh, thin hor-fun noodles, char-siu pork, shredded chicken, prawn and coconutty broth) – comfort food par excellence. And, at just over a tenner, it’s worth leaving home for. You’ll also be tempted by familiar favourites pad thai, char kway teow, fried rice and stir-fries, and mains such as the twice-cooked devil’s chicken, red duck curry and three flavours fish are worth the twenty-minute wait. Whatever the dish, Laksa Me provides a satisfying food-focused experience that will have you returning for more.
Little Malaysia
MALAYSIAN
26 LIVERPOOL STREET, MELBOURNE
(03) 9662 1678 • MAP P.277
LICENSED & BYO, CORKAGE $5 A BOTTLE
OPEN DAILY NOON–2.30PM, 5PM–10.30PM
ENTREES $3–$8.80, MAINS $12.80–$32.80, DESSERTS $5.80–$8.80
ALL MAJOR CARDS ACCEPTED
A favourite haunt of old-time journos and lawyers, Little Malaysia is a special little secret concealed by an underwhelming exterior and interior decor unchanged since the place opened in the mid-1980s. Its regulars return solely for the food, which is a good sign about the Malaysian favourites on offer here, including rotis, laksas, curries, hokkien noodles and satays. Dishes are simple and well done: the meats are tender, the rice light and fluffy and the rotis have just the right amount of stretch. The curries are rich and made from scratch using fresh herbs and spices. There’s also a selection of hawker-style dishes to choose from as well as the craziest dessert in Melbourne – the ice ka-chang, which is a peculiar combination of red beans, tinned corn, peanuts, ice and strawberry syrup. Try it if you dare – and if you don’t then foist it on your kids. They’ll love it.
The Lounge
PUB FOOD
LEVEL 1, 243 SWANSTON STREET, MELBOURNE
(03) 9663 2916 • MAP P.276
LICENSED
OPEN MON & TUES 11AM–MIDNIGHT, WED & THURS
11AM–3AM, FRI 11AM–6AM, SAT 1PM–6AM, SUN 6AM–1AM
ENTREES $8–$13, MAINS $10–$23
ALL CARDS ACCEPTED
The Lounge is one of the old stalwarts of the Melbourne bar scene, having been around since the ’90s and satisfying hordes of city-dwellers and university students alike. The menu has expanded over the years to keep up to date with the demands of its patrons, but the famous nachos and burgers still feature and are much loved. The food is not cutting-edge, but is accessible and filling, which is all they need. The lighting is dim and with the beats thumping at night it’s very much a location for the younger crowds who enjoy the high-energy mood inside. If you want to enjoy the food without the frenzy, lunch service is relaxed and allows you to sit on the balcony and do a little people-watching as you eat. After so many years, the Lounge is beginning to show its age and is perhaps a little more tired than it used to be, but it’s still a great place to eat for those who want a tasty, satisfying meal before partying the night away.
Mekong Vietnam
VIETNAMESE
241 SWANSTON STREET, MELBOURNE
(03) 9663 3288 • MAP P.276
LICENSED
OPEN MON–SAT 9AM–10PM, SUN 10AM–10PM
ENTREES $5–$9.90, MAINS $8.50–$12
CASH ONLY
Many Melburnians and out-of-town dignitaries have dined at this busy inner-city house of pho. And for good reason. Starkly lit Mekong Vietnam has been serving up its famous rice noodle soup and Vietnamese staples on Swanston Street for years and continues to provide fresh flavours and satisfying servings that come quickly and are easy on the hip pocket. Pre-pho, the deep-fried spring rolls wrapped in iceberg lettuce and dipped into sweet, tangy and fishy nuoc cham are a delight. The vermicelli noodle salad comes with a selection of toppings (including spring rolls) and is a light meal in itself. While the choice of over twenty pho variations may be daunting, or the thought of eating chicken heart or beef tripe too much to bear, the simple beef and chicken versions are solid options and come served with crunchy bean sprouts and Vietnamese mint. The long list of drinks includes fruit smoothies and teas with jelly and milk, as well as Vietnam’s 333 Beer.
Melbourne Vietnam
Noodle House
VIETNAMESE
251 SWANSTON STREET, MELBOURNE
(03) 9639 4911 • MAP P.276
LICENSED
OPEN SUN–THURS 10.30AM–10PM, FRI & SAT 10.30AM–11PM
ENTREES $6–$8.50, MAINS $8–$11, DESSERTS $4
CASH ONLY
It’s fast and efficient: waiters hold up fingers confirming the number of people to be seated. Monosyllables, grunts and nods. Order at the table and pay at the counter. Just about any plate will give you change from $10. At the top of the list of the Vietnamese specialities is pho (pronounced fur, with a question mark), a large, flavoursome bowl of noodles – though not quite as generous as Luke Nguyen might expect – in a delicious soup, made even more so after you add fresh Vietnamese mint, chilli, bean sprouts and a squeeze of lemon. Slurping with the chopsticks (for noodles) and spoon (for broth) is both fun and expected. The three rows of benches, tables and booths have identical condiments and a thermos of hot green (free) tea. Pages of salads, skewers, noodles, rice, smoothies and juices offer the same hearty and healthy choices for takeaway or delivery. Just past Little Bourke Street, number 251 feeds vegetarians and carnivores, backpackers and CBD suits without prejudice.
Menya Ramen
JAPANESE
437 ELIZABETH STREET, MELBOURNE
(03) 9328 8928 • MAP P.281
UNLICENSED
OPEN DAILY 11AM–9.30PM
ENTREES $1.50–$8.90, MAINS $7.90–$13.90, DESSERTS $3.50
CASH ONLY
LOCATION ALSO IN CBD
Fast food doesn’t have to mean bad food, and the Japanese have mastered the art of quick, tasty treats that won’t leave you feeling guilty or impatient. Part of the O’Bento chain, Menya Ramen has been designed with a modern, simple aesthetic that feels more like a restaurant than a fast-food joint. The list of around fifty dishes provides plenty of choice, but their signature noodle and broth soups are particular attractions. The ramen selection includes light and complex flavours such as miso, ginseng and sesame, topped with a choice of seafood, pork, egg, dumplings and vegetables. Soup aside, the crispy, soft-centred agedashi tofu is a tasty and delightful snack and there are enough larger noodle and rice dishes to satisfy most appetites. Despite the excessive use of plastic packaging, Menya Ramen provides a better fast-food dining experience than most.
Miss Chu
VIETNAMESE
SHOP 2, 297 EXHIBITION STREET, MELBOURNE
(03) 9077 1097 • MAP P.277
LICENSED
OPEN MON–SAT 11AM–10PM
ENTREES $2.50–$8, MAINS $12–$15, DESSERTS $3
NO BOOKINGS
CASH ONLY
The philosophy behind Miss Chu seems to be to take you somewhere else – evidenced by the huge immigration photos printed on the wall, and the menu, which is styled on a visa entry card – and also for you to take their food somewhere else. This is Vietnamese hawker-style street food, something to grab on the go. While Miss Chu claims to be the ‘queen of rice paper rolls’, she can take equal pride in her dumplings, vermicelli salads and wagyu beef pho. There are a number of small tables and shared bar seating next to the open kitchen, with a wine-bar chic fit-out and house music playing quietly in the background. The combination of Eastern cooking meets Western interior design is itself an interesting fusion experience. Don’t be fooled by the fact that Miss Chu is mostly takeaway: the chefs here take their food as seriously as border patrol does passport inspections.
Nam Loong
CHINESE
223 RUSS ELL STREET, MELBOURNE
(03) 9663 4089 • MAP P.276
UNLICENSED
OPEN SUN–WED 11AM–MIDNIGHT, THURS–SAT 11AM–2.30AM
ENTREES $4, MAINS $6.50–$21, DESSERTS $1.50
NO BOOKINGS
CASH ONLY
Lovers of cheap, fast Chinese food (not cheap, Chinese fast food) have been frequenting Nam Loong for years and it continues to satisfy the hip pockets and hungry mouths of Melburnians today. This everyday (and night) eatery is the scrappy sibling of Nam Loong Seafood down the street, proffering a cheap but extensive menu of soups, noodles and simple classics like steamed Chinese broccoli and house-made dumplings. Dining here is quick: there really isn’t much to look at or indeed ambience to experience beyond that of your own creation, but the food – all served with complimentary, palate-cleansing tea – is satisfying in taste and quantity. The main attractions are the famous and much-loved freshly steamed buns, produced en masse in the front window. The barbecue pork buns are the hands-down favourite (and a contender for Melbourne’s best pork bun), but the golden sand, red bean and other variations are also worth a try. And if you still have room, you can complete your Nam Loong experience with a sweet, fluorescent yellow custard bun, eaten in or bagged for your journey home.
Noodle Kingdom
CHINESE
175 RUSSELL STREET, MELBOURNE
(03) 9654 2828 • MAP P.276
LICENSED
OPEN SUN–THURS 10AM–4AM, FRI & SAT 10AM–5AM
ENTREES $2–$9.50, MAINS $6–$22
CASH ONLY
LOCATION ALSO IN PRESTON
Noodle Kingdom looks more luxe than it used to, but the noodles outweigh the decor and have attracted diners since it was a scrappy, no-fuss eatery. Located on perennially grungy Russell Street, the front kitchen allows hungry spectators to marvel at chefs stringing out their handmade noodles in the window. It’s a great marketing ploy and a sight to behold, but the noodles are best experienced inside, in a range of dishes and in various shapes and sizes. The Beijing dumplings are a great start and for some are a meal in themselves. They’re crude by any standard but are big, hearty and satisfying parcels with a chunky, soupy pork filling. For a few dollars you can also sample from the list of snacks and appetisers such as century egg, stringy beancurd or leek and chive buns before moving on to a larger soup or noodle dish. But be warned: the mains are generous beyond expectation and are probably best shared.
Old Town Kopitiam
MALAYSIAN
195 LITTLE BOURKE STREET, MELBOURNE
(03) 9639 6098 • MAP P.276
LICENSED
OPEN SUN–WED 11.30AM–9.30PM, THURS 11.30AM–10.30PM, FRI & SAT 11.30AM–LATE
ENTREES $4–$13, MAINS $10–$28, DESSERTS $5–$6.50
ALL MAJOR CARDS ACCEPTED LOCATION ALSO IN CBD
The large international student population in Melbourne means the options for eating out cheaply and with all varieties of Asian cuisine are almost limitless. Stroll through Chinatown, with restaurants lined up one after the other for blocks, and it can feel all too easy to give up and opt for a chain restaurant instead. Don’t lose heart! Amid all the shopping arcades, neon signs and spruikers there is Old Town Kopitiam. With large windows exposing minimalist furnishings and bare walls (and not a spruiker in sight), Old Town Kopitiam beckons with the idea that it’s all about cheap, easy food. The menu is full of both food and beverage choices, with photos to help make selection easier. The loh shu fun, or claypot with rice drop noodles, and the salted fish fried rice are both average-priced dishes in large portions. With so many speciality beverages to choose from it’s worth trying a traditional drink like ‘ice lychee’ or ‘Cincau grass jelly’. Quick service and simple hospitality make this spot a perfect place for a quick meal in Chinatown.
Pho Dzung City Noodle Shop
VIETNAMESE
234 RUSS ELL STREET, MELBOURNE
(03) 9663 8885 • MAP P.276
BYO
OPEN DAILY 8.30AM–10PM
ENTREES $7, MAINS $9.50–$10.50
CASH ONLY
LOCATION ALSO IN RICHMOND
Chinatown is home to some of Melbourne’s best Vietnamese noodle soup (pho). So when Pho Dzung throws down its audacious challenge – ‘You have tried the rest, now try the best’ – no self-respecting pho fan can turn away. The verdict? Hands down, the Russell Street restaurant is a winner. It boasts the hallmarks of all authentic Vietnamese restaurants: wall-mounted illuminated menus, eye-wateringly bright lighting, and saccharine Asian pop music. Each table is stashed with chopsticks, spoons, a thermos of Chinese tea and condiments. During peak lunch and dinner times, the place is full of eaters deeply immersed in their bowls of soup. The beef pho is everything a pho nut wants: a generous serve of tasty stock with slender beef slices that cook in the bowl and Vietnamese basil, bean sprouts, lemon wedges and chilli rounds for garnish. The flavour of the stock is excellent, the service prompt, and the prices standard (which is to say, cheap). I challenge anyone to find a superior restaurant.
Reddy’s Kitchen
INDIAN
380 ELIZABETH STREET, MELBOURNE
(03) 9654 4060 • MAP P.281
UNLICENSED
OPEN DAILY 11AM–10PM
ENTREES $1.50–$8.95, MAINS $7.95–$11.95
ALL MAJOR CARDS ACCEPTED
With possibly the worst decor in Melbourne and an ambience akin to an outer-suburban fast-food restaurant, Reddy’s Kitchen is effectively a takeaway joint with chairs. There’s nothing to indicate the quality of the food you’ll encounter here, but if you like your Indian authentically spiced and cheaply priced, you need look no further. But while Reddy’s Kitchen looks like a fast-food restaurant (sans drive thru), it actually takes a little while before your number is called and your compartmentalised metal ration tray arrives – signalling that your meal is freshly prepared to order. The crispy dosas are a stand-out, and the curries spiced and aromatic like Mumbai. Rotis come in fourteen different types – from onion to masala to the roti bom, which is stuffed with butter and sugar and topped with condensed milk. With more than eighty mains on a menu that takes in northern and southern Indian, Malaysian and Singaporean cuisines, decisions can be difficult, in which case you should visit for a mid-week all-you-can-eat buffet lunch that even gives change from a tenner!
Rose Garden BBQ
CHINESE/MALAYSIAN
435 ELIZABETH STREET, MELBOURNE
(03) 9329 1560 • MAP P.281
UNLICENSED
OPEN MON–SAT 11AM–9PM
ENTREES $1.50–$5, MAINS $8–$13
NO BOOKINGS
CASH ONLY
This bustling yet basic shopfront eatery serving home-style Chinese and Malaysian food is full of local students and workers on most days and nights and also attracts the hungry from further afield. This can make it difficult to get into on some nights of the week, so come early if you don’t like to wait. But a high customer turnover also means that this is an eat-and-run place that discourages long, leisurely dining. The upside is the superquick meal preparation and no-fuss attitude of the efficient young staff who deliver it fast and hot. The food itself is cheap in price but rich in flavour, and the extensive menu includes numerous rice and noodle dishes that will satisfy most tastes, as well as a good range of vegetarian plates. While the list of around 100 dishes might be daunting, those hungry and on a budget will appreciate the variety of options.
Shanghai Village Dumpling House
CHINESE
112 LITTLE BOURKE STREET, MELBOURNE
(03) 9663 1878 • MAP P.277
LICENSED & BYO, CORKAGE $1.50 A HEAD
OPEN DAILY 10.30AM–10PM
ENTREES $3.50–$8.50, MAINS $11–$18
CASH ONLY
There are plenty of Asian greasy spoon–style eateries in Melbourne, where the deal is good food at a cheap price, though few are as renowned as Shanghai Village Dumpling. First opened in 1998, since then it has served hundreds of hungry hordes, who come in for a quick and hearty feed. The emphasis here is on getting people fed and out the door, and to this end it’s an eatery where diners are expected to serve themselves to the tea and cutlery. But don’t let this put you off – you won’t get such a wide variety of fresh handmade dumplings at these prices anywhere else. While they also serve some basic rice and noodle dishes, the dumplings are their main focus. The chicken and prawn dumplings are done perfectly, with a nice thin skin that has been crisped in the pan, and vegetarians will be glad to know that the vegie dumplings on offer here use cabbage just as an ingredient – not the main filler.
Sichuan House
CHINESE
26 CORRS LANE, MELBOURNE
(03) 9650 8589 • MAP P.276
LICENSED & BYO, CORKAGE $2 A HEAD
OPEN MON–FRI 11.30AM–9.30PM, SAT & SUN
12.30PM–9.30PM
ENTREES $6–$14, MAINS $17–$40
VISA, MC, EFTPOS
You have to be brave, or a chilli fanatic, to take on Sichuan House. Located down a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it laneway in Chinatown, Sichuan House is the spicy-food mecca for hungry Melburnians keen to fill their bellies and scorch their tongues. Sichuan cuisine originates from south-western China and is renowned for its bold use of chilli, spices and the mouthnumbing Sichuan peppercorn. Wiping sweat from your brow, dabbing at your dribbly nose, or frantically gulping beverages is not uncommon behaviour while dining here. But if you can handle it, it’s all part of the fun. On the menu is a variety of specialities that will please those with daring palates, like hot and spicy beef hearts, stir-fried pork ears and spicy duck tongues. For the less adventurous, the spicy cumin pork ribs are hugely popular, and it’s seriously worth coming here for them alone. If chilli makes you tremble, be kind to yourself and skip this place. But if you like your food to be eye-watering and not just mouth-watering, definitely stop by.
Thai Culinary
THAI
433 ELIZABETH STREET, MELBOURNE
(03) 9328 3812 • MAP P.281
UNLICENSED
OPEN DAILY 11AM–10PM
ENTREES $3.50–$7, MAINS $8.50–$16
CASH ONLY
In a city that’s goddamn spoilt with fantastic Thai, Japanese, Vietnamese and Malaysian cuisines, it’s increasingly hard to stray from all-too-familiar personal favourites. Thai Culinary makes that decision a little more compelling. While the decor is certainly nothing to rave about, it’s the cheap, tasty and unabashedly flavoursome Thai that’ll keep you coming back. Dishes are generously sized and prepared in an absolute flurry in the heart of the CBD. You’ll really get the most for your money here. The sub-$10 tom yum is fantastic: as aromatic, sour and spicy as tom yum ought to be. The beef-based dishes can be a little tough, but this is a minor qualm. For those thrill-seekers looking for a place with a ‘hot’ dish that’ll challenge you, this is as good an option as you can get outside Chinatown. It’s also worth considering for delivery within the CBD – meals are delivered promptly, for little to no charge.
Von Haus
EUROPEAN
1A CROSSLEY STREET, MELBOURNE
(03) 9662 2756 • MAP P.277
LICENSED
OPEN DAILY 11AM–11PM
ENTREES $7–$12, MAINS $12–$20, DESSERT $9–$12
CASH ONLY
Von Haus lives up to the buzz. A dark and rustic colonial-meets-cosmopolitan corner hidden down an improbable alleyway, this is a chilled-out eatery that will make you feel like you’ve stepped back into a kitchen from the 1800s. It’s dark and narrow, so it pays to get here early and find a spot, but it’s easy to stay for hours. The menu fuses modern Australia and old-world Europe, and it changes every day at whim, so there’s always something new to try. Options may include gourmet salads, bruschetta, shepherd’s pie, brown rice salad, smoked trout or sautéed mushrooms, usually with one dessert choice for the evening. For something lighter, cheese platters, olives and bowls of mixed nuts are the ideal complement if you’re looking for something to go with a beverage. Whether you’re at the communal table with friends or at a table for two lining the wall, the candlelit ambience makes it easy to while the hours away in a relaxed old-fashioned atmosphere.
Yamato
JAPANESE
28 CORRS LANE, MELBOURNE
(03) 9663 1706 • MAP P.276
LICENSED & BYO, CORKAGE $1.50 A HEAD
OPEN TUES–FRI NOON–2.30PM, 5.30PM–10.30PM, SAT 5.30PM–10.30PM, SUN 5.30PM–10PM
ENTREES $6.60–$9.90, MAINS $7.70–$28.90, DESSERTS $2.50–$6
VISA, MC
Dining at Yamato is a little like eating at a Japanese bathhouse. Nestled in a bluestone laneway in Chinatown, the restaurant is tiny – like a good sauna, it wouldn’t fit more than thirty people. The rustic ambience is heightened by the room’s wooden ceiling, slatted timber backrests on the bench seats, and paper lanterns dangling from the ceiling. The space is intimate, cosy and warm. Yamato serves up the usual fare – donburi, sushi, udon, ramen – with a large vegetarian selection. For something different, try a sliced beef hot pot. Dispatched to your table on a gas ring, the pot of clear broth cooks the raw beef in mere moments. Even with an entree (the flash-fried octopus dumplings, from a western Japanese recipe, are exquisite) you’ll still have room for fried green-tea ice cream. The wine list is small and unremarkable so skip the shiraz and go straight for the sake, as Yamato offers an extensive selection.
Your Thai Rice & Noodle Bar
ASIAN
255 SWANSTON STREET, MELBOURNE
(03) 9663 8010 • MAP P.276
LICENSED & BYO, CORKAGE $2 A HEAD
OPEN DAILY 11AM–10.30PM
SMALL DISHES $5.50–$8, MAINS $8.90–$12.90
CASH ONLY
Situated in an enclave of student-friendly Asian restaurants on busy Swanston Street, Your Thai Rice & Noodle Bar is a brightly lit, welcoming destination for cheap and uncomplicated meals. It’s styled in a rather basic manner – bright Perspex tables, photographic menu and massive photos of the combo deals on the wall. Closer to a canteen than a restaurant, Your Thai has a high turnover of tables, with staff working efficiently to get customers in and out very quickly. Despite the name, Your Thai offers a mix of pan-Asian dishes, from Vietnamese pho to Singapore noodles, Thai pineapple fried rice, Indonesian nasi goreng and more, with not a single item over $13. Also worth a try are the intriguing drinks: smoothies made from jackfruit, coconut or avocado, Thai ice milk tea, basil seed drink and longan grape ice. The food served up can occasionally be comically different from the bright and shiny photographic examples, but it always tastes good, and at such low prices you can’t complain.
