If you’re looking for a destination that gets your taste buds talking, Melbourne is where you want to be!
As a born and bred Melburnian, I have eaten at so many places in the city, found some amazing hidden gems and ones that we all know about (but are still worth battling the tourists for!)…all of which are value for money.
The best thing about Melbourne, is there are so many countries and cuisines represented here, so no matter what your taste, there is always something to please everyone!
Here is PART ONE of my guide, which features my favourite Asian inspired restaurants to eat at in the CBD; (as there are so many options here); so hopefully it will wet your appetite if you love this style of food as much as I do!
Supernormal
Supernormal, Melbourne
Supernormal has become one of my go-to eateries. Comprised of an interpretation of asian inspired dishes from places like Tokyo, Seoul and Hong Kong; Supernormal is a favourite haunt for all foodies in Melbourne.
Meals are meant to be shared, with dishes eaten in a particular order, rather than being served all at once. But its safe to say, no matter what you eat…you will feel content after a meal here – starting with the complimentary soy toasted pumpkin seeds. Delicious!
Soy and Pumpkin Seeds
My Recommended Dish At Supernormal
You can’t beat the WHITE CUT CHICKEN WITH TOFU DRESSING, CASHEW, NOODLES & CHILI. This my friends is a dish worthy of its $18 price tag! It’s a cold dish, but the dressing and spice of the chili (which is mild enough), comes together in such a superb way; complemented by the crunch of the cashews. This dish also comes with pickle slices and all up its just amazing! I always crave this if too long goes by between visits! Also, every person i’ve ordered this with has LOVED it as much as I do! So, it’s not just me!
White Cut Chicken
White Cut Chicken
Honourable Mentions At Supernormal
The DUMPLINGS!
Supernormal have a few options here. The POT STICKER DUMPLINGS with pork and cabbage are very good, but the VEGETABLE DUMPLINGS – let me just say, they are delicious! I am obsessed with them because they are so light and have such a nice filling that I could eat them for days! Pot sticker dumplings are $14 for 5, vegetable dumplings are $12 for 6.
Pot Sticker Dumplings
Vegetable Dumplings
And for all you seafood lovers? The LOBSTER ROLL for $14 is probably the best in Melbourne. I don’t eat seafood, but every seafood connoisseur I have eaten here with, raves about it! It does look good!
Lobster Roll
Supernormal is located at 180 Flinders Lane, Melbourne and is open 7 days.
Rice Paper Scissors
Rice Paper Scissors
Rice Paper Scissors was on my radar for quite some time before I made it to their CBD location (they have one in Fitzroy too). But after just one visit, I was hooked and it quickly became one of my favourite asian restaurants in Melbourne; with its focus on Vietnamese cuisine.
The best thing about it is that dishes here are also meant to be shared which makes eating here a lot of fun as you and your companions try new dishes to see what you like best.
Best of all, the prices like Supernormal, are value for money. In our case, on my last visit it was $55 for 5 dishes between 2 people…so around $26 each and we were FULL by the end of it. There were about 15 dishes to pick from in this deal so there is a lot of variety on offer here- especially if you are dining with fussy eaters!
My Recommended Dish At Rice Paper Scissors
Have you ever thought about how refreshing pineapple really is? Well, after eating a GALLOPING HORSE you will!
No, its not horse, this beauty of a dish is the ultimate highlight though, featuring caramelised pork, prawn and peanut, with a thin slice of chili all sitting atop a piece of sour pineapple. Let me say, we did not expect this to be so memorable…but it definitely was! The pineapple just took it to another level! Give me more of it STAT!
Galloping Horses
Honourable Mentions At Rice Paper Scissors
Ok, so I am definitely NOT a seafood lover. But since I was sharing dishes, I made the exception and ordered the MINI VIETNAMESE BAGUETTE: SOFT SHELL CRAB WITH PICKLED VEGETABLES, HERBS & PATE and it was quite delicious. Did it change my mind about seafood? No. But would I eat it again? Yeah, it was pretty darn delicious.
Soft Shell Crab Rice Paper Scissors
Ultimately, there is a lot of choice in eating here and if you haven’t tried these dishes, this would be the place to start your journey whether you like CHICKEN SALAD, STEAMED PORK BUNS or even just ASIAN GREENS. All were good!
Steamed Pork Buns
Rice Paper Scissors is located at 19 Liverpool Street, Melbourne and is open 7 days.
So there you have it! If you like eating Asian cuisine and want to eat at what I, and many Melburnian’s rate as the BEST choices in the city…start at Supernormal and Rice Paper Scissors!
Missing out on these is just a crime on any visit!
Pin It For Your Next Melbourne Adventure!
Great post Tony ! I want to visit there so v ad! Was so cool to meet you in LA!
Valerie
Haha awesome recommendations! I found that a lot of the Asian restaurants in Melbourne were fusion food, but super yummy nonetheless.
Some of my faves were Chin Chin (or course), Tonka, Longrain and Lucy Liu’s! Can’t wait to stuff my face when I get back.
Saving this list for my visit to Melbourne! Loved the decor in Rice Paper Scissors!
Fabulous! I am saving this post for our next trip into Melbourne… we only live 45 km’s away!
I’ve noted your picks! Those veggie dumpling slook deliciuous and I like how shareable the food seems to be 🙂
Yum, I was drooling by the end of this post! I would love to try the Veggie Dumplings or Steamed Pork Buns the most, but everything looks delicious 🙂
Thanks Luda! You must get over here and eat some of your favourites! They are all delish!
These All look so good, I hope I can make it there someday to try them, especially the vegetable dumplings and I absolutely love lobster rolls!
Hey Jasmine! Yes you definitely need to get over here so you can eat some! I always think about the dumplings here!
It’s almost midnight here and reading your post made my mouth water! I’ve been to Melbourne couple times so I know that the food is one of the best parts about Melbourne. We can almost find every delicacy from all around the world. Beautiful post and pictures! Keep it up!
Thanks Clarissa! Melbourne is the best city in the world! If you make it back, you’ll have to eat at these places!
Wow, all those pictures look delicious and are making me hungry! I have to visit Melbourne now!
Yes Lyssie you do! Book your ticket immediately! Thanks for stopping by!
You definitely made my stomach growl! Geez. I’m sticking this list in my back pocket in case we ever visit Melbourne.
Thanks! You definitely need to try these places if you make it to Melbourne! They are a must!
What a fun topic for a blog post 🙂 Love asian food! Melbourne is on my list but it’s so far, but I definitely want to go some day!
Thanks for stopping by! You definitely need to head over here then! The food is amazing!
I’m obsessed with dumplings. All this food looks so good!!
Thanks Erin! It is all amazing! You need to visit Melbourne so you can try some!
Loved this food guide; vegetable dumplings are the best! I’ve also never seen soy and pumpkin seeds done together before- but it looks like a great combination!
Thanks Sophie! Vegetable dumplings are always good! The soy and pumpkin seeds are amazing! Find a recipe and make some!
It was amazing what I’ve seen here. As it is lunch time in Romania now I would definitely try to make something similar. I don’t know what will happen next.
Hey Iuliana, you must try this if you’re ever in Melbourne! Or if you manage to make some of these yourself let me know your recipe haha
My kinda food, even thought I’ve just eaten breakfast here I could eat the majority of this. Love seafood too!
Hey Fee! You would definitely love it here then! The Lobster roll has your name on it!
It is lunch time here now and this all looks so so delicious! I love trying new places to eat. Great post 🙂
Thanks for stopping by Laura! These places are so delicious, I can’t get enough!