Charlie 7& Co. dined as guests. 
Tuesday 10th September





It was just last month that our local mall 'The Glen' set at the end of the Glen Waverley line revealed a new outdoor (but undercover) dining precinct with all these familiar city chains, but also some totally new places. There two Korean places at The Glen, familiar deep fried, and BBQ a station over, but now there's a third! And one that doesn't require a group or gloves.  





Located up the escalator is 'Masizzim' which translates to ‘delicious stew’ and refers to its authentic Galbi Jjim meat stews starring slow cooked beef or pork short ribs made from founder Lee Dong-Jin’s mother’s original recipes.

There isn't beef Bulgogi or japchae but plenty of mainly pork rice dishes, fun sides but what Masizzim is know for is their stews. They also do these fun roll-your-own rice balls called Fist Rice.









But first we had to try the cheesy egg roll, the melty cheese is in middle, so start from the middle. Super thin rolled omelette. Such a classic combo, cheese egg and tomato sauce.




The sauce/stir fry juice that's going though the meat and all the seasoning was so good, he just wanted more. Every mouthful needs a bit of everything. Must get again for sure.
Rate as level 2 on levels of spiciness, next time level 4! The waitress recommended level 3.
If you're getting this as a main (no entree) get rice with it.

Levels of Spice:
1 white people spice (me)
2 actual spice
3 very
4 raised on spice (him)



Soy Beef Stew - Premium pork/beef/chicken stew marinated in Masizzim's secret sauce until meltingly tender and irresistibly flavorful. With your choice of chewy glass noodles or udon, topped with topokki, mushrooms and spring onion. 

Spicy food makes me cry, yes I'm weak, and so I had the soy beef broth which has great depth it was rich and sweet but just the right kind of sweetness. There was a choice of udon or cellophane noodles. The beef melts in your mouth and falls off the bone easily, marinated in the secret sauce it was amazing.     

Did I mention we got extra cheese? The cheese pull was amazing, with long strings.

Fernando was excited about all the levels of spice, though opted for this dish as I'd ordered the stew. He's coming back to get this but extra hot.

Oh and do be careful the pot is very hot! I like to distance my accident prone self with a bowl in between me and an accident waiting to happen. The candle is surprisingly efficient at keeping the food hot. 







How does one describe bingsu? It's like shaved ice, but with milk, so fluffy and magical. A summer dessert with fun toppings. Often whatever the size it's best shared. It's pretty awesome, and his first time trying it.





It's winter but we'll do it, wearing puffy coats! A shaved frozen milk with the texture of powdery snow, wow. He's never had anything like this, the brownie cubes were a hint dry but totally fine with the rest of the dessert. A delicious thick shake at the end.

I swear the small serves two, as these were huge!

Delicious affordable Korean with cool vibes, this is the place to go for a quick dinner or with friends. We're coming back for everything we tried again, and dumplings next time too.

While we were invited and so can't comment on service, I do have to say Brenda was super friendly and warm. We actually also returned later during the week for lunder and the service was just as great, and the flavours consistently delicious. 






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Charlie & Co. dined as guests.
August


Located at the intersection before Monash is Rambo's kebabs with hsp! Starting up 5yrs ago they were the size of two parking spaces but now have expanded to be a permanent feature.

While it's mainly a takeaway spot like most gas station kebab trucks there's some seating on the side, perfect today in the sunshine, though there's a shed on the other side too.


Recently they've come up a hsp burger topped with 23k carot gold! Along with the hsp combo there's also lettuce, onion and tomato, in a traditional bun. With a choice of three sauces, we went for the garlic and bbq.

Surprisingly it wasn't anywhere near as messy as I'd expected (me and burgers), with sauce dripping everywhere, but if you prefer more sauce you definitely could ask. I like it but don't love it, for me I love a brioche bun, whereas this is a more tradition bun. 



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A Thursday Night in March 


Hello Hot Star! We might be the country that invented the deep fryer but I don't actually eat that much deep fried stuff. We've seen hot star many times and agreed perhaps it was a try once thing (along with the deep fried corn dog and mars bar) but never actually gotten around to it, though today with the 50% original slab almost the size of my face it was an offer too good to refuse.




As I predicted it to be a once off (Like many things in my life) I went for a combo for +4.50.


Sweet potato fries with a plum seasoning ($4), it was just like Ghost Kitchen! But more of a hint rather than rolled around in. Will get again, but ask for extra seasoning.





The chicken was huge!! And light yellow in color (fresh oil). I can only do half... juicy succulent and tender. Salt and pepper was light and just right. The girl next to me highly recommended the chili agreeing she's never managed to finish one off herself.

I think the best ideal is to buy this and go back to the office and share it, that or ask for it to cut in half to share. As I definitely want to get it again, maybe just once, to share. But really you can't save half for tomorrow, as anything fried needs to be consumed here and now.

Service was quick and very friendly. I got the last fanta so it was meant to be.







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A Thursday Lunch in March 





Lunching at Au79, located in the urban jungle around the corner from Victoria st Richmond with the 109 bh tram. Warehousey this used to be a garage with added greenery, HUGE plants. Booths and tables that go right to the back of the building. It's very very warm and there's no air con... btw they make and sell their own bread here.























Service was quite friendly. It was very warm in there though. This is without a doubt the brunch "cafe" warehouse? I've ever been to! With three dinning areas, and a splash of green it's amazing what they can do with a garage. Also an event space, we actually soon attended an event here. 

Might return if we're in the area, but really we're not morning people. 



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A Tuesday in March 

Korean BBQ Dinner on Lygon St at Hwatu via Groupon I think we paid something like $50 (though there was 15% off so it was like $43) for two people. When you buy the groupon you'll pick a set, of which there are four. We picked the all beef 'Cho-Dan Korean BBQ set'.




While it was light when we got there, the cover for the outdoor area out front ensure there was no actual light in the restaurant... set far back from the street, but that's ok cause it's slightly dimmer inside, and I like the dark.

There was only one other couple there when we got there and one couple (a different one) when we left. Quiet night here on Tuesday, though it was still busy at other places. We had a 7.30 booking. 


A portable hot plate was above a gas burner on the table waiting. So it's a korean restaurant, but not korean bbq specialty.

$49 for a Cho-Dan Korean BBQ set dinner menu for two people ($70? normally)

Short ribs
Scotch fillet
Marinated beef ribs
Choice of stew: kimchi, seafood and soft tofu, or bean paste
Sides of kimchi, vegetables, spicy garden salad, and rice


We've had korean bbq once or twice before and I still don't really see the soup as being part of it? It's served at the same time too. Of the three options we picked the 'seafood and soft tofu', which had a bit of flavour though wasn't spicy as I'd expected. The textures were nice, though the seafood was tiny octopuses and pippes?



The bbq was much better, served with a small 'spicy garden salad', kim chi, marinated veg/onion and two dips: miso and something salty. There wasn't much sides, though we should have asked for more (the 3 in 1 side dish).








The meats were juicy and tender (only a couple pieces were chewy), the marinated beef ribs were crispy and amazing! Full of flavour, unlike the others though korean bbq meat is usual unmariated unless said so. We also had onion and some mushrooms grilled. 

We had the waiters take care of the cooking part, they were friendly though service was minimal and they didn't tell us what each cut was. "No instructions were given on the condiments or what was being cooked." - What some else said. Btw we have no idea what to do with the hunk of lettuce... and jas wanted to know if the garlic beside it was meant to be grilled. 


Highly recommended for sure at $50 for two (via groupon) as korean bbq normally starts at $60 for two, and that wouldn't be an all beef set. 

Review were mixed and I was iffy but we were very happy with our experience, though the place is pretty casual. 

Note - Someone said 'restaurant does not have air conditioning' so don't go here when it's too hot. 



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