Melbourne is a multicultural city that has become known for its eclectic food scene. This is perhaps best reflected by the sheer glut of high-quality Asian restaurants. Whether you’re after Michelin-worthy ramen from Japan, the mouthwatering spices of Thailand, want to slurp a big bowl of Vietnamese pho or taste Taiwan’s famous dumplings – this guide brings you the very best that the city has to offer.
Zabb Nua| www.instagram.com/zabb_nua
275 King Street, VIC 3000
This one went under the radar when it first opened earlier in the year, but since then it is quietly becoming one of Melbourne’s best kept secrets for good quality, authentic Thai food. Zabb Nua specialises in Isan-style street food from Northeastern Thailand. The menu features universally beloved dishes such as crying tiger beef and pad kra pao, as well as some lesser found options in Melbourne such as a chicken feet soup flavoured with a garlic, galangal and fish sauce broth, and their signature miang pla pao – which is a whole barramundi baked with lemongrass. With stainless steel tables and plastic chairs, even the setting transports you to Southeast Asia.
Din Tai Fung | www.dintaifung.com.au
Emporium Melbourne, Lonsdale St, VIC 3000
Originating in Taipei, Din Tai Fung has earned global recognition as one of the best dumpling restaurants in the world. It specialises in xiaolongbao (a juicy steamed pork soup dumpling), and while this continues to be the must-try dish, the whole menu is filled with other delicately flavoured specialities. For those looking to sample a range of dishes, the hot and sour soup is a particular standout. The restaurant also provides the perfect opportunity to try beef noodle soup (a Taiwanese staple), while the very brave amongst you could opt for century egg – a curiously looking preserved black egg that has a jelly-like texture along with a creamy yolk.
Zero Mode | www.zeromode.com.au
G03/850 Whitehorse Rd, VIC 3128
Located in Box Hill, the fusion menu at Zero Mode offers a playful twist on Japanese classics. Here you will find plenty of fun and eye-catching creations such as the beer ramen – made from a noodly pork broth, served in a stein with a foamy head of whipped egg whites – to the chilli marinated king salmon and caviar filled matcha ice cream cones. It’s not just a novelty attraction either. There’s as much substance as there is style to these wonderful creations which are worth venturing out of central Melbourne to discover for yourself.
I Love Pho | www.pholove.com.au
264 Victoria St, VIC 3121
A quick Google search of the best pho in Melbourne will tell you to visit Pho Bo Ga Mekong in CBD largely based upon the fact that former U.S. President Bill Clinton once slurped down two bowls during a visit here, as though he is politics answer to Anthony Bourdain. Don’t get me wrong, the pho there does hit the spot, but if you want the real deal then you’ll need to catch the tram over to Richmond. If the area around CBD is commonly referred to as Chinatown, then Richmond should be known as Little Vietnam. Rows of Vietnamese restaurants – particularly on the bustling Victoria Street – all vie for attention, but it is I Love Pho which ultimately comes out from the fierce competition on top.
I Love Pho might not be much to look at from the outside, with its simple and unfussy décor, but this family run restaurant more than makes up for appearances with its steaming bowls of freshly made pho. Diners can choose from a range of classic options such as beef, chicken or tofu, as well as more unusual concoctions like beef tripe or chicken heart, liver and giblets. With generous prices, why not make a presidential order and opt for two?
Mensho Tokyo | www.mensho.com.au
166 Russell St, VIC 3000
Mensho Ramen chose Melbourne as the location for its first-ever Australian restaurant when it opened to much fanfare and more than two-hour queues in the CBD back in 2023. Although you can now snag one of its 28 seats much quicker – we had to queue for 30 minutes for an early midweek dinner – this venue certainly hasn’t lost any of its appeal amongst Japanese food enthusiasts. The restaurant may be new to Melbourne, but it has long enjoyed a global reputation for serving some of the best ramen around having originally been founded in Tokyo by ramen master Tomoharu Shono in 2005, before branching out into 14 countries – earning a Michelin Star in San Francisco along the way.
Diners are greeted with a small but specialised menu featuring six stellar ramen dishes that will simply blow you away. If it’s your first time visiting the store, we highly recommend trying their signature Toripaitan ramen – featuring a light and creamy umami-rich chicken broth with bouncy, chewy ramen and delicate slices of chashu pork. The powerful Garlic Blaze features black garlic oil and four types of friend garlic with an added spicy chilli kick. They also offer a Matcha Ramen which admittedly wasn’t to our taste, but it is certainly interesting and different enough to warrant giving it a try.