Oppa Kitchen

271 Swanston St 

Melbourne, VIC 3000

About an hour after I got home from dinner at Oppa Kitchen, mum casually mentioned that I have a dentist appointment tomorrow to get my wisdom teeth out. Um, what? There goes the blogging for a week or so.

In any case, I’m glad I managed to fit in a visit to the newest, shiniest addition to Swanston Street (and brunch with the girls) before my procedure (I’m going the route of local anaesthetic – eek!). As Swanston Street is so populous, it was impossible to miss the opening of Oppa Kitchen, which turned out to be a modern Korean restaurant with a scaled back menu, specialising in fried chicken, grilled meats, and bibimbap. The atmosphere is a fun one, and the warehouse-style outfitting, plus the neon lights reminded me a lot of Chin Chin.

Original Korean Fried Chicken ($5, small)

It’s hard to say no to Original Korean Fried Chicken ($5, small) when it comes in such a reasonable portion. The serve looks larger than it actually is, on account of the potato wedges bulking it up. The chicken itself was average, on the bland side though not tasteless, and the smaller pieces were a bit dry. I did however like the bonus pickles and cabbage salad on the side, and the crispy rice cakes.

Grilled Bulgogi Beef Steak ($11)

Grilled Bulgogi Beef Steak ($11)

The Grilled Bulgogi Beef Steak ($11) came with an enticing pink centre and a smoky aroma. Though satisfyingly beefy, the bulgogi marinade faded into the background, making for a tasty but unmemorable meal.

Grilled Spicy Pork Spare Ribs ($13)

The Grilled Spicy Pork Spare Ribs ($13) was the winner of the two. Aside from the smokiness, the pork ribs came with a mild spiciness, and just enough fat for flavour. However the meat suffered from inconsistency, with the bonier pieces a bit parched. 

Grilled Spicy Pork Spare Ribs ($13)

The salad in the meal buckets was a good one. The leaves were fresh, and instead of a squeeze of lemon, the orange dressing was a pleasant surprise.

When we went for dinner, Oppa was practically full, so it was lucky that there’s a slightly quieter upstairs section. I doubt most people come here because the food is fabulous – the dishes don’t even come with banchan! With that said however, the food is sufficient, the location is convenient, and it’s just cheap and easy all round.

Rating: 12/20 – oppa kitchen style (im so sorry)

This rating reflects my personal experience at the time of visit.