Ayam Chef

67-69 Coventry St 

Southbank, VIC 3006
http://ayamchef.com.au/

When I make my fortune, I am going to buy a luxurious studio apartment in either South Yarra or Southbank and live the high life. The apartment will have 5 star hotel-worthy facilities, million dollar views, and be within walking distance of dozens of good places to eat. In the meantime, I’ll just settle for sleuthing out nice restaurants, and Ayam Chef makes a good point for Southbank.

When I think about Southbank, Malaysian food does not tend to follow. After all, what does the folksy street food of South East Asia have to do with an illustrious suburb in Melbourne? As it turns out, Ayam Chef fits right in with its bright and modern interior, fitted out with lots of sleek dark tables and a tropically-influenced mural. Though it’s a bit canteen-like, it doesn’t feel tacky at all, and is really rather welcoming. 

Soy Milk ($2.8)

Like most Asian restaurants, the menu is designed to share. Whilst I browsed through my choices, I sipped on a tall, sweet glass of Soy Milk ($2.8).

Crunchy School Prawns and Chives Pancakes ($6, 2pcs)

In the end, I asked our waitress to give me a hand, and she suggested that we try the Crunchy School Prawns and Chives Pancakes ($6, 2pcs). This dish gave a fantastically refined twist to the greasy chive pancakes of my childhood. Light and golden, they were embedded with crunchy school prawns, and absolutely mouth-watering when dipped into the sauce of lime and fresh red chillies. 

Lobak ($8, 2pcs)

Similarly delicious was our snack of Lobak ($8, 2pcs). Ensconced in the brittle parchment of fried tofu skin was a moist filling of minced pork. It was warmly seasoned with the unmistakable aroma of 5-spice powder, and the addition of finely chopped black fungus gave it an addictive element of crunch. Have it with or without the plum sauce – it’s all good.

Sambal Eggplant ($17) 

One look at the Sambal Eggplant ($17) and I knew it was going to be bursting with flavour. The plump strips of eggplant glistened with oil, and each piece was infused with the briny, exotic flavour of sambal – chilli, fried shallots, and shrimp. 

Sambal Eggplant ($17) 

For a little variance on the texture, the eggplant was stir-fried with slippery pieces of okra, and beans that still had their crunch. It was a quintessentially Malaysian dish that was perfect with rice. 

Coconut Butter Prawns ($22) 

The Coconut Butter Prawns ($22) was a more modern take on Malaysian cuisine. The massive prawns were quickly pan-fried before being coated with an aromatic buttered coconut crumb. The texture of the prawns was astounding; it was bouncy and succulent, and the freshness was exquisite. Though the serving had initially seemed small, the richness actually meant that I needed way less than I had expected. 

Kueh Dada ($7.5) 

Now that Chris has decided that he does like coconut after all, we have a much easier time choosing dessert at Asian restaurants.  The Kueh Dada ($7.5) was presented beautifully, the jade-green crepes wrapped around shredded coconut soaked in palm sugar. On the side were scoops of coconut ice cream, which was studded with pieces of frozen coconut and finished with a drizzle of chocolate. I felt that this dish suffered from an identity crisis, as it couldn’t decide if it wanted to be Asian or Western. However it tasted good enough, and looked lovely enough, that I couldn’t really bring myself to care.

My meal at Ayam Chef brought to mind one of the most delicious meals I had in Malaysia at a local seafood restaurant. It is quite a few steps up from the hawker-styled dishes you’re likely to find at the Malaysian restaurants around Melbourne, and showcases the flavours Malaysia has to offer beyond noodles and rice. Though the portions are slightly on the small side, it is definitely worth a visit if you’re in the area.

Rating: 13.5/20 – classy malaysia.

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

Sweet and Sour Fork dined as a guest of Ayam Chef.

Scarvelli Cafe

143 Whitehorse Road 

Balwyn, VIC 3103

Living in the outer eastern suburbs of Melbourne, I am a bit short on luck when it comes to brunch. However, I don’t live in Melbourne for nothing. Though few and far in between, there are quite a few well-regarded cafes in the east, though most of them are clustered closer to the CBD. One that would come to most people’s minds is Snow Pony, but just down the road from that is Scarvelli Cafe, doing a roaring trade in all things brunch.

To ease my sister’s back-to-school and dentist appointment blues (I know, the poor kid), I promised her brunch as a treat. As we cruised down the highway, Scarvelli Cafe shouted out to us with an enormous graffiti painting of an eldritch woman, and before long we had parked the car in a side street, and our buttocks on some chairs by the window. 

It always amazes me when I see a restaurant in my end of town decorated with a patchwork of creative thrift-store knick-knacks. Generally speaking, I’m used to seeing cafes that are comfortable, but lacking in character. Otherwise, there is so much character that it makes you wish the cutlery wasn’t so chipped, and the tables weren’t so grotty. Scarvelli however is a true Melbourne cafe, dressed up with freshly trimmed posies, rusted pots impersonating lampshades, and an unusually high number of moose-related pieces.  There was even a spacious courtyard out back; it’s a shame the weather was so blustery that day. 

Apple and Watermelon Juice ($6.5) 

I heartily recommended the Apple and Watermelon Juice ($6.5) to my sister, in the fear that if left to her own devices, she might decide to have a milkshake before noon. It was a good decision, as the juice turned out to be fresh and sweet, with just a hint of seasonal tartness.

Skinny Flat White ($3.8) 

I, on the other hand, am a grownup, and therefore don’t need to take my own advice. And that’s how I ended up drinking my entire Skinny Flat White ($3.8) on an empty stomach, after going to the gym. Even though I was jittery afterwards, it was well worth it. With some help from the tasting notes, I found notes of plum and chocolate in my brew, but unfortunately the sweet citrus escaped me. It was a big, comforting cup with a smooth, rich aroma. 

Wagyu Burger ($20)

Though I didn’t like her having the milkshake, I couldn’t deny my sister the Wagyu Burger ($20). It was as pretty as a picture, and tasted even better than it looked. If you think the combination of beef, cheese, American mustard, and special sauce in a sesame seeded brioche bun sounds familiar, you would be right. 

Wagyu Burger ($20)

However, this is a burger McDonalds could only dream of creating. The beef patty was thick and juicy, with a slice of jack cheese melting into the charred crevices. Layered on top were the tangy-creamy duo of mustard and a heavy dollop of special sauce, and vibrantly fresh salads.  Even the chips were amazing; they were golden perfection with a centre of mashed potato, generously salted and served with a side of pungent mustard aioli. This is definitely one worth breaking the diet for. 

Chilli Eggs and Ham ($16.5) 

My order of Chilli Eggs and Ham ($16.5) on the other hand was nothing like I had expected. What read like an innovative but hearty breakfast was actually an innovatively reconstructed Sunday lunch. The centrepiece was a golden ham hock and potato hash that proved once and for all that Scarvelli is the master of deep frying. 

Chilli Eggs and Ham ($16.5) 

Underneath the hash was a bed of sweet minted peas, served with a delightfully zesty herb and onion salad on the side. Topping it all off were two perfect sunny-side-up eggs with the yolks still wobbling, ready to be mixed in with the chilli sauce. 

Mango and Lime Tart/Chocolate Brownie with Crystalised Ginger/Pomegranate Shortbread, 

But wait, there’s more! On my way out, I was handed a small bag of goodies, which turned out to contain a deliciously tangy and flaky Mango and Lime Tart, an unbelievably gooey Chocolate Brownie with Crystalised Ginger, and a buttery piece of Pomegranate Shortbread, studded with little fruity kernels. 

And this awesome grow-in-the-bag coriander, which my mum confiscated gleefully the moment I got home.

There is plenty to love about Scarvelli Cafe, from the simple but delicious food, to the cosy, laid back atmosphere. And possibly most of all, excellent coffee in a part of Melbourne where (shock horror) not every single cafe serves a good espresso. One thing I did however find fault with was the service. Though friendly enough when you do actually get it, it just all seems rather half-hearted and a bit reluctant. C’mon guys, you were almost perfect!

Rating: 14/20 – sunday dinner brunch lunch.

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

Sweet and Sour Fork dined as a guest of Scarvelli Cafe.

El Sabor

500 Victoria Street 

North Melbourne, VIC 3051
http://www.elsabor.com.au/

They say hindsight is 20:20, and it’s only now that I’ve gone back to working full time that I realise that I took my time off from employment for granted. Instead of lying at home like a sack of dog food when I’m not looking for work, I could’ve taken the time to really de-stress and enjoy myself. On the plus side though, post-work dinners have regained their shine, and it was with great anticipation that I stepped into El Sabor, a-hankerin’ for a good Mexican meal. 

I felt instantly toastier when I walked through the door; the luridly orange walls reminded me incessantly of all things warm, and the decorations of a summer festival. The restaurant was mostly filled with happy locals who braved the moody Melbourne weather to get their fiesta fix. 

Having travelled extensively around Mexico, the owner of El Sabor, Dhi, knows what’s up with Mexican food. There is incredible passion for bringing a real taste of Mexico to Melbourne, and the food Dhi serves is what he loves to eat himself. Considering the fact that we could not stop salivating at the smell of the enchiladas at the next table, he is on to something good. 

Pozole

To start off, our stomachs were warmed with a bowl of traditional Pozole – not yet on the menu, but keep an eye out as the weather cools! Despite looking thin and unremarkable, the soup was a chorus of bold flavours that expanded on the palate in a burst of warmth, having been bravely seasoned with the heat of 2 types of chilli.

Pozole

Hidden beneath the surface was a jumble of chewy hominy kernels that soaked up the broth, and shredded pieces of slow-cooked chicken and pork. This is the ultimate in comfort food that brings frozen fingers and toes back to life. 

Tres Salsas con Totopos ($10)

We were served some Tres Salsas con Totopos ($10) in conjunction with the soup. Chris loved the ripe sweetness of the salsa, and the cooling of the sour cream, swirled into his pozole. I on the other hand lavished my attention on the generously zesty guacamole.

Calamari Fritos ($15)

The plate of Calamari Fritos ($15) was tantalisingly shallow-fried in a batter glowing with spice, and the calamari itself was the most tender I’ve ever had; it all but disintegrated on the tongue. Unfortunately the overall effect is a little dull, even with the addition of aioli and guacamole. After all, how can anything measure up to a spicy bowl of pozole?

Tamales de Pollo ($18, 3pcs)

The Tamales de Pollo ($18, 3pcs) on the other hand were anything but boring, despite its demure appearance.

Tamales de Pollo ($18, 3pcs)

The first thing that’ll tip you off is the smoky aroma exuding from the corn husk. Peel that back and you’ll find a soft corn dumpling stuffed full of spicy pulled chicken. All permeated with the smouldering aroma of corn on a grill. The condiments on the side were served in the colours of the Mexican Flag. Contrived? Maybe. But it is infinitely endearing. 

Alitas ($10, half dozen)

I love a good chicken wing, and its extra nice when they’re rubbed with spices and scorched with grill marks, like these Alitas ($10, half dozen) were. Each piece was succulent and smoky, and cut through with a cool drizzle of sharp jalapeno mayo.

Pescado Taco/Res Taco ($12, 2pcs)

I tend to judge a book by its cover, and a Mexican restaurant by its tacos, so this is what I had been looking forward to the most. The Pescado Taco ($12, 2pcs) consisted of large pieces of white fish in a sheer coating of corn-based batter, wrapped in a fragrant tortilla with the simple accompaniments of guacamole, chipotle mayo, and lettuce. The result was a light but moreish taco that I found thoroughly enjoyable.

Meanwhile, the Res Taco ($12, 2pcs) was the warm, earthy counterpart to the freshness of the fish. The giant wad of pulled beef was juicy and spicy, generously flavoured with chilli and cumin. Just make sure you eat this one first though, as the gravy does soak through the tortilla. 

Churros ($15, 5pcs)

Aside from dessert tequilas and cocktails, the menu contained three sweet options: crème caramel, corn cake, and Churros ($15, 5pcs). Whilst churros would normally be my last resort, I am so glad I wasn’t the one making decisions for once. The fingers of pastry were briefly fried for a crisp exterior and a gooey centre, but their full potential was not unleashed until it was dipped into the chocolate sauce. Consisting of a mix of Mexican chocolate, dark chocolate, and a slick of cream, the sauce tasted of nothing but sugar for a second or two, before the soft explosion of cocoa hit. It was a perfect balance of sweet and bitter, its creamy richness heated by the coating of powdered cinnamon on the churros.

In the end, El Sabor made good on its promise of delicious and authentic Mexican food, and I had serious food envy over the saucy enchiladas at the next table. And the best bit? They do deliveries within about a 7km radius, and Dhi told me for a fact that they often deliver to the staff and patients at my hospital. Now there’s a good option for lunch.

Rating: 14.5/20 – hospital fiesta.

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

Sweet and Sour Fork dined as a guest of El Sabor.

Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen

27 Russell St 

Melbourne, VIC 3000
http://www.ikkoryu.com.au/

It has begun. The Ramen Revolution. 2014 blessed Melbourne with two of the best ramen restaurants we have to date – Fukuryu Ramen and Hakata Gensuke. In fact, my hopes have been raised high enough that the thought of a visit to the newest ramen restaurant in Melbourne – Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen – no longer makes me retreat into my shell for fear of being disappointed. 

Though a bit hard to find, the result is well worth it. The set-up reminded me a lot of Japan, albeit being a lot less grungy and rough around the edges. The window behind which the chefs work in clouds of steam is the main attraction, but the sake bar and private function room is pretty sweet too.

Yakimeshi (normally $12)

Whilst waiting for our ramen, we whetted our appetites with a couple of the samples coming out of the kitchen. The first was a pinch of Yakimeshi (normally $12) – Japanese fried rice. The fluffy grains were tossed about in a hot wok with a fragrant mixture of egg and pork, bound together with a savoury smokiness. 

Gyoza ($11, 5pcs)

Equally as lovely were the Gyoza ($11, 5pcs), its slippery smooth skin burnished to a crisp at the bottom, and holding within it a juicy nugget of pork mince. 

Sake Punch

From the bar was a Sake Punch – a refreshing combination of sake and apple juice. 

Ikkoryu Original Tonkotsu ($15) 

There were 5 types of ramen on the menu, and customisation ranged from toppings, to noodle texture, to the amount of oil on your ramen. Going back to basics, I ordered the Ikkoryu Original Tonkotsu ($15) with a ‘normal’ level on all the customisable options. This bowl of noodles took me back to Japan, with its creamy soup and globules of fat glistening on the surface. The toppings were also top-notch; the gooey egg was savoury from being marinated in a soy mixture, and though thin, the charshu slices had an optimum fat-to-meat ratio that melted in the mouth. 

Miso Tonkotsu ($17)

The Miso Tonkotsu ($17) was exactly what it sounded like. The addition of miso paste meant that the soup was earthier, and had a thicker mouth-feel that nevertheless still allowed the porkiness to come through. 

Miso Tonkotsu ($17)

The noodles themselves were absolutely fantastic. Medium thickness and just a little bit curly, these were toothsome with a lingering hint of bicarbonate – a necessity in any good noodle if you ask me.

So what did I think? Despite the good food, this was a hard question to answer. I thought the noodles were noticeably better than Fukuryu Ramen, but not as tasty as the JUST-LIKE-JAPAN ramen of Hakata Gensuke. Although this puts Ikkoryu well within the top 3 ramens you can get in Melbourne, I just couldn’t get over the pricing. I was nowhere near full after my $17 bowl of noodles, and although the toppings were first-rate, they were rather miserly in terms of portion size. Even more insulting was the price of the gyoza - $11 for 5 pieces! I don’t like to bring price into my reviews (unless it’s a bargain of course!), as I believe that everyone has different standards as to how much a meal is worth, but the prices at Ikkoryu are borderline daylight robbery. Combined with the fact that I can get better noodles for less at Hakata Gensuke, or a cheaper, larger, and still pretty great bowl of noodles at Fukuryu, I don’t think I’ll be back any time soon.

Rating: 13/20 – what a shame.

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

Sweet and Sour Fork dined as a guest of Ikkoryu Fukuoka Ramen. 

ORee Korean Duck Restaurant

179 Queen Street 

Melbourne, VIC 3000
http://www.oree.com.au/

Korean BBQ? Been there, done that. Except it turns out that I haven’t – not quite anyway. Whilst I am intimately familiar with the seductive sizzling of beef and pork and occasionally chicken over a coal fire, I have to admit that duck is not something that swims to the forefront of my mind when I think KBBQ. 

As it turns out, duck is actually a rather popular BBQ meat in Korea, and its absence in Melbourne meant that the opening ORee Korean Duck Restaurant was long overdue. Though the outer half of the restaurant felt like a casual takeaway lunch sort of place, the inner sanctum was lined with booths and ventilator pipes that are surely familiar to anyone who has ever had Korean BBQ. And if you haven’t, the smoky smells will give the gig away. 

Duck with Nut Porridge/Banchan

We were recommended the Course 2 ($60pp) by our lovely waitresses, and being cold and hungry, we happily agreed on the 8 courses of duck-centric goodness. Within minutes we were plied with plates of banchan, and the first course – Duck with Nut Porridge. Though unusual sounding, the combination of almonds and rice boiled down in duck stock was nutty and comforting. And if you want a bit more pep, you have your choice between sour pieces of crunchy Kimchi, slivers of Pickled Onion, and chewy strips of marinated Fish Cake. The best bit of all however was the Steamed Egg Omelette. Piping hot and aerated like cotton candy, it was studded with specks of carrot and onion, and perfect for whetting the appetite. And yes, it is complimentary. 

Fried Duck Salad with Kiwi Dressing

Our next course was the Fried Duck Salad with Kiwi Dressing. Koreans have always been good at frying, and these succulent pieces of duck were bound tightly in a crisp and savoury batter. It reached its full potential when dipped in the (spoiler alert!) honey mustard sauce that we were served later on. One thing I couldn’t wrap my mind around however was the salad. Whilst the vegetables held no surprises, the kiwi dressing tasted like melted fruit-flavoured ice cream, and left me with my bewildered face on. Don’t get me wrong – it tasted nice; I just wasn’t sure how to feel about it. 

Fried Duck Dumpling

Another twist on a classic dish was the Fried Duck Dumpling, which was delicious with its pink and juicy centre, dipped in sweet and sour sauce.

At roughly this point in the meal, Chris left to go to the bathroom. Why am I mentioning this? Because on the way back in, he walked smack-bang into the devilishly clean sliding glass door, and proceeded to bleed profusely from his nose for the next 15 minutes, scaring all the staff (and me of course!) silly. He’s alright now, but the swelling is making his nose look even more crooked than it already is. So if the food descriptions become a bit weak after this, you’ll know why. 

Fresh Roast Duck (100g)

Fresh Roast Duck (100g)

Between dried blood off Chris’ face and giving first-aid advice, I managed to stuff down mouthfuls of the Fresh Roast Duck (100g). Even in my anxious state, I was able to appreciate just how delicious it was. The duck was rich and meaty, lined with just enough fat to give it that extra flavour. I had fun playing mix and match with the buffet of condiments we were given, and I decided that it tasted the best with Onion Sauce and Salt and Pepper. 

Smoked Duck (100g)

The second plate for the BBQ was the Smoked Duck (100g). With some of the fat trimmed off, this duck tasted a lot leaner. The smoking process also left it a lot more tender, and infused it with a woody aroma reminiscent of camping trips. It was distinctly different from the roast duck, and I honestly couldn’t decide on which I liked more. 

Duck Soup

The leftover duck bones were made into Duck Soup to be served with rice. I was super full by this point as Chris hadn’t done much eating, but I did manage a sip or two. Steeped with herbs, this soup was light and cleansing – an ideal conclusion to the rich BBQ meats. 

Marinated Soy Bulgogi (100g)

The last savoury dish (I know! More!) was the Marinated Soy Bulgogi (100g). Instead of being cooked on a fire, this mix of duck and vegetables were cooked on a stone hot plate, which was slanted ingeniously so that all the fat dripped into a little paper cup.

Marinated Soy Bulgogi (100g)

Having been marinated for hours in the sweet soy, all the tough fibres in the duck were broken down, and the result was the most tender and succulent duck I’ve ever had. Interspersed with the meat were a variety of vegetables, including bushels of mushrooms and thinly sliced onion to soak up the marinade. 

White Bingsu

Luckily, our dessert contained no duck. Instead, it was the popular Korean (and Asian) dessert of White Bingsu, aka fluffy shaved ice cream topped with condensed milk and sweet red beans. 

Despite Chris busting his nose, this was still one of the nicest Korean meals I’ve had in a long time. The food was both high quality and well made, and a duck-centric menu is definitely not something you see every day. Just make sure you do like duck because it’s in more or less in everything on the menu – no joke.

Rating: 15.5/20 – quacker of a meal.

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

Sweet and Sour Fork dined as a guest of ORee Korean Duck Restaurant.