Tuesday 23rd


An early start for a work event then down to South Yarra for lunch. It's a popular brunch spot, known for their OTT #foodporn pancakes. Though for breakfast dessert isn't my style.






They've got some seriously bad reviews for their matcha latte... colored water people say. So we ordered it to be customized. She made it twice, the first time was indeed too light (she says this is we like them) though asians like them stronger. With honey it was great.







For lunch we had the big breakfast. It was a huge platter, eggs a bit over so I didn't get that perfect runny egg sadly. There was a chilli salsa but otherwise it was fairly average. Some herbs & spices would improve it vastly.

Service was very friendly. There's mainly outdoor terrace seating, but inside too which is what I prefer. Smokers have ruined outdoor dinning. It would be nice to sit by the fountain, though we sat inside with air con in the shadows, as it was a summer day.




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December 2017



During summer Think Asia in the Emerald City food court had a dessert special! I don't know what it's called, but it's a Malaysian dessert with ice, ice kachang. Google says - Literally "iced beans", you can think of this icy dessert as the original bingsu. The concept is similar - flavoured shaved ice with a generous heap of toppings to make the whole creation a colourful mess. From coloured sugar syrups to peanuts to red beans to coconut jelly to cubes of agar agar, and less traditional additions like aloe vera, cendol. It was quite nice and refreshing on a summer's day! My only wish was that it was served in a takeaway cup, as it would be easier to eat on the go.



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December 2017






Another favourite snack place of ours is Hokkaido Cheese Tarts, with a shortbread like tart and wonderful cheesy filling, this place was the first one in the city. 

Almost on par for price as Pafu, they came before Pafu which is their sister store. You don't get a box unless you order 6. Those square boxes are deco only - but they do really need to have a box for 2.  

These can be served at room temp or semi-frozen they've never made it home for us.












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December 2017



The first place to introduce us to the wave of korean fried chicken was Nene, before Gami came along, and there's a place we often pass by. One of those small places on the way in from main street. I swear there was a place called 'Emily's Cafe/Place' here once, I never made it before they closed. 


This is the Melbourne Central location, almost takeaway only we recommend getting takeaway and eating at the Emporium (the nicest of the three food courts, also the only one with no beggars). Don't forget to grab some gloves.



We ordered the classic which is 4 pieces (serves two with a large side she said). We ordered the lemon with Korean salad (close to a garden salad). And for $1 more we made it into a combo. $19.




How was it? Absolutely AMAZING! For me it was all about that "lemon" sauce which was actually sweet and sour. We just couldn't get enough of it!! And the radish was perfect to cut through the deep fried-ness of it all.



We completely forgot to eat the salad though, knuckle deep in chicken, and it well, died in the fridge - note to ask for the dressing separately unless you're going to eat it right away. 





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Thursday 18th // December 2017












Like Hokkaido you can see them being made in the fish tank kitchen, butter weighed. 3 people production line. Make, pack, till.




These are best warm and since we ate here they've come up with many other flavours including strawberry and coffee. They're all amazing, but I've had all three and apple and coffee are our favourites. At $4.20 each it's an occasional treat. And they always sell out around 6pm.





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Thursday 18th // Dec 2017?



We first stumbled upon Gyoza Douraku many years ago in 2013, as a fun though ultimately expensive tapas bar, but discovered they have a great lunch menu! We've been back maybe once or twice, but not often enough. This week we had class on Bourke St, and it was perfect for a long awaited visit.










This is the lunch menu, no it's not advertised online, you need to know about it to well, know they have it really. A lot of places are like that, places you discover along the way. 





We started with a cool soba, dishes arrived one two at a time so we didn't wait for everything before taking a photo.






Pan fried miso eggplant duck gyoza full of flavour and anything but generic mince/onion (yuzu I'm looking at you). 



Miso not as salty as wagaya, just right. Salad was huge! We couldn't finish it, there was a light yuzu dressing and generous dollop of kewpie mayo, but we need more yuzu/lemon. Though we still had the sauce tray from the gyoza.




They have a membership thing for $10 which looked interesting.  Specializing in contracts we asked for more details. The $30 voucher is split into 3x$10 each with a $25 min spend and 2 have limited times when you can use them. So I'm on the fence about it. Unless you're certain you'll use them.

Service was very friendly and quick  (30-40 min express) quicker than reviews say. 
As we dined solo we sat at the bar.



Will so many apps, offers and deals we're often lead by the offer, and here the offer is definitely lunch. We absolutely love bentos, a lunch only thing at some places, and this is definitely a bento place, with a modern setting to try.

To see our dinner review from 2013, click here. 



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