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Unique Patisserie, Katoomba

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KATOOMBA | If you’re doing a trip to the Blue Mountains and are looking for a feed, do yourself a favour and check out Unique Patisserie. It’s a classic Aussie country bakery selling great versions of all the classic treats, but that’s not the main reason to visit.

The owners are from Penang, Malaysia and there’s a full page of their menu dedicated to savoury dishes from their home. If you can only try one thing, get a bowl of the Penang Assam Laksa. It’s a whole different thing to the Malaysian curry Laksa that you might be familiar with.

The stock uses tamarind and Asam gelugor as its base, imparting a tangy, sour note to the broth that balances with the dish’s sour, sweet, spicy, umami elements. Strong flaked fish (mackerel in this case) is the meaty part of the laksa, and it’s topped with Vietnamese and regular mint, cucumber, onion, and pineapple.

And absolute joy to eat, and one of the best things you’ll eat in Katoomba. The nasi lemak, char koay teow, curry puffs, and bak kut teh are all legit too.


Unique Patisserie

169 Katoomba Street
Katoomba
New South Wales 2780
Australia

Telephone: (02) 4782 7887
E-mail: [email protected]
Website

Open
Thu – Tue: 9:00am to 5:00pm

Happyfield, Haberfield

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SYDNEY | Happyfield has won several plaudits since opening in Haberfield in late 2020, including several ‘cafe of the year awards’. It’s been on my list for a while now, so when I last found myself in Sydney and close by, I knew that I had to visit.

Chris Theodosi and Canadian born and raised Jesse Orleans opened Happyfield with the aim of serving Sydneysiders North American diner classics, made using the best possible produce. If you get a sense of McDonald’s breakfast when looking at the menu, that’s not a coincidence. The specialties here are Canadian pancakes, breakfast muffins, hash browns, and things made with eggs.

It’s yellow and brown food, that’s also reflected in the colour scheme of the diner. It’s a bright, welcoming space with a lot of yellow. Plates are yellow, chairs are yellow, the custom coffee machines are yellow. You get the idea.

There’s always a small or large line to get a table at Happyfield but it’s worth the wait. Staff are friendly and accommodating, before, during, and after you’ve had your meal.

If it’s your first time at Happyfield, do as I did and order “The Happiest Meal”. It’s a tray filled with two crunchy hash browns; a “McLovin Muffin” filled with creamy folded egg, American cheese and chicken sausage; and three pancakes with Pepe Saya butter and Quebec maple syrup. It’s a perfect example of what Happyfield is all about, and will make you happy. Upgrade with some Canadian bacon if you’re up for it.

Beyond this, there’s also things like Bircher muesli with toasted coconut, mint, tamarillo and slices of grapefruit and orange; mixed mushrooms with dukkha, whipped ricotta and feta; sandwiches; and burgers. The panko crumbed barramundi fish burger, a riff on the fillet ‘o’ fish, is a great option. Vegans and those with food allergies are well catered for, and there are a lot of light, healthier options, if that’s more your thing.

If you want something to drink, there’s espresso-based and filter coffees made with Single O beans, juices, shakes, local craft beers, wines and cocktails.


Happyfield

96 Ramsay Street
Haberfield
New South Wales 2045
Australia

Telephone: (02) 9716 5168
E-mail: n/a
Website

Open
Mon – Sun: 7:30am to 3:30pm

King Clarence, Sydney CBD

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SYDNEY | Bentley Group has a habit of kicking goals with their venues. When they announce a new one, expectation are high. King Clarence, which opened in December last year, is the newest venue in the group’s stable and is headed up by executive chef Khanh Nguyen. As if expectations weren’t high enough already.

The space is bright, and colourful, industrial and fun. Add a DJ spinning loud dance and electro beats, and you’ve got a venue that’s popping with energy. On one side of the airy dining room you’ll find the bar, and on the other side the kitchen, which eschews the modern trend for open kitchens (although you can peep in on the action from the enclosed side wall).

Sydney-born and raised Nguyen spent years cooking in the kitchens of Bentley Group’s restaurants before moving to Melbourne and taking things to the next level as head chef at Sunda and ARU. The food is reminiscent of Sunda’s fun and freewheeling early days, influenced by Nguyen’s lockdown experiments and creations, and techniques refined at Aru.

Similarly to Sunda and ARU, King Clarence is a modern Australian restaurant with South East Asian influences. Unlike the former two which leant strongly towards Indonesian flavours, King Clarence looks to Korea, Japan, and China for inspiration.

Dishes are fun and exciting, with bold flavours and interesting twists. It’s a menu that lends itself well to individual snacking and sharing. There’s things like the signature fish finger bao with mustard greens, American cheese, pickled chilli, and salmon roe; pork and prawn dumplings with black vinegar and chilli oil infused with 14 spices; and cold, springy buckwheat noodles with enoki, shredded potato, and native pepper in spring onion oil.

For larger plates, the Angus beef short rib with chickpea miso, horseradish oroshi, and sweet soy is a must try. So to, the short grain claypot rice with char sui pork jowl, garlic chive, and egg yolk. For dessert, go for the mango pudding with coconut, cultured cream, vanilla bean, and passionfruit.

The wine list is varied in style and price, with many options available by the glass. House cocktails are fun, taking the same pan-Asian inspiration as the food.


King Clarence

171 Clarence Street
Sydney
New South Wales 2000
Australia

Telephone: (02) 9882 2634
E-mail: [email protected]
Website

Open
Sun – Wed: 12:00pm to 9:30pm
Thu: 12:00pm to 10:30pm
Fri – Sat: 12:00pm to 10:00pm

Hawa Chicken, Granville

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SYDNEY | Ask a local where to find Sydney’s best Lebanese-style charcoal chicken, and there’s a handful of places that will always come up – El Jannah, Awafi Chicken, and Hawa Chicken. Hawa Chicken has been doing its thing for decades, located in the same space in Granville, just up from the original El Jannah. The space has been renovated in recent years, but the food remains as good as ever.

Drawing a dedicated following from the area’s Lebanese and other immigrant communities, Hawa Chicken keeps things simple. Walk inside and you’ll immediately be intoxicated by the alluring smell of chicken cooking over charcoal. On the menu, you’ll find said chicken and an assortment of sides like tabouleh, hummus, toum, and pickles. There’s also things like kefta spiced lamb mince, shish lamb skewers and shish tawook marinated chicken.

If you’ve not been to Hawa before (or even if you have), it’s hard to go past the charcoal chicken combo. Your choice of a quarter, half, or whole chicken, served with Lebanese flatbread, pickles, tabouleh, hummus, and toum. Be sure to get some chips to go with it as well. The chicken lives up to the hype – tender and full of garlicy, lemony flavour, with super crispy skin with the fat rendered.

If you’re vegan, you can still enjoy the food at Hawa Chicken. The falafel are great, and beyond the aforementioned sides there’s also things like baba ghanouj, dolmades, deep-fried cauliflower, and deep-fried eggplant. All of them are great.


Hawa Chicken

43-45 South Street
Granville
New South Wales 2142
Australia

Telephone: (02) 9637 3111
E-mail: n/a
Website

Open
Mon – Fri: 11:00am to 11:00pm
Sat – Sun: 9:00am to 11:00pm

Mountain Culture Beer Co, Katoomba

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KATOOMBA | Mountain Culture Beer Co is one of Australia’s most highly regarded breweries, and there’s not better place to try what they have to offer than their Katoomba brewpub.

Located in an old heritage listed building that was previously home to a Civic Video store, husband-and-wife duo DJ and Harriet McCready opened Mountain Culture in 2020. DJ, who hails from North Carolina in the US, already had a reputation as a top brewer from his time at Modus Operandi Brewing, and Oskar Blues in Colorado.

The venue is a casual, accessible place, one that’s popular with visitors, locals, beer nerds, families with children, and everything in between. You don’t have to know a thing about craft beer to enjoy the brewpub, but if craft beer is your thing, you’ll be very impressed.

DJ takes his beer seriously, with detailed attention given to every detail of the brewing process. A reverse osmosis filter allows the exact right kind of water profile to built up from its base, while a top of the line pH monitoring system ensures that the water remains exactly the way that’s intended. Add to this, some of the best yeast strains and grains from around the world, and you’ve got all that you need for quality brews.

There’s classic styles in the core range, like the award-winning Status Quo pale ale, Lager, and Double Red Ale. If you’re after something limited or experimental, then weekly releases are what you’re after. There’s always a decent selection on tap, and heaps more in the fridges. Expect things like Double IPAs, sours brewed with experimental yeasts, and collaborations with some of the world’s best breweries.

Tasting paddles are available if you want to try a few things, and there’s also a small selection of wine, and non-alcoholic options if you’re not in the mood for beer.

To eat, there’s a selection of burgers, with sides like chips, tater tots, and fried pickles. Gluten free and vegan options are available.


Mountain Culture Beer Co

23-25 Parke Street
Katoomba
New South Wales 2780
Australia

Telephone: n/a
E-mail: [email protected]
Website

Open
Wed: 5:00pm to 9:00pm
Thu – Sat: 11:00am to 9:00pm
Sun: 11:00am to 8:00pm

Hor Kitchen, Melbourne CBD

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MELBOURNE | Hor Kitchen is a Malaysian restaurant that I noticed walk walking through the CBD a few months ago. I couldn’t find anything about it online at the time, which made me all the more intrigued. Last weekend, armed with my camera and a craving for Malaysian food, I popped in for What’s On Melbourne.

Open until late at night every day except Tuesday, Hor Kitchen is named for the three brothers who own it. The trio’s aim with their restaurant is a simple one – to serve up delicious, authentic home-style Malaysian dishes to their guests.

On the extensive menu you’ll find all of the favourites like nasi lemak, char kway teow, and curry mee. There’s also dishes that are not so common in Melbourne like kam heong chicken on rice, kampung-style nasi goreng, and wat tan hor.

The Hor brothers hail from Gerik, a town in the Northern Malaysian state of Perak, and their food reflects the food of the region. When eating at Hor Kitchen, you might notice subtle differences to the versions of things you might have tried before.

I opted for a few favourites in char kway teow with blood cockles, roti canai with beef rendang, and curry mee with Hainanese chicken. All quality with balanced, fragrant flavours. I also got a plate of a dish that I can’t recall trying before, sambal petai with rice and crispy pork.

Sambal petai is a sambal of red chilli, garlic, shallot, and petai (green ‘stinky bean’). It has a strong, pungent flavour, and is wonderful. Get a bit of rice, egg, sambal, and pork in each mouthful and you’re in for a treat.

To drink, it’s classic hot and cold Malaysian drinks like kopi, teh, Milo, and 100 Plus.


Hor Kitchen

264-266 Russell Street
Melbourne
Victoria 3000
Australia

Telephone: (03) 9882 2634
E-mail: n/a
Website

Open
Sun – Mon, Wed – Thu: 11:00am to 11:00pm
Fri – Sat: 11:00am to 12:00am

ima Asa Yoru, Brunswick

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MELBOURNE | ima Asa Yoru is the Brunswick reincarnation of Carlton’s popular Japanese cafe, ima Project, which opened in the second half of last year. It’s the realisation of what owners and couple Asako Miura and James Spinks wanted to do evolve ima Project into, but couldn’t quite do given the space constraints of the original location. Asako runs front of house, while James leads the kitchen.

Housed in the sustainable, environmentally-conscious Nightingale Village development, ima Asa Yoru is a cafe by day (‘asa’) and izayaka by night (‘yoru’). It’s a light, open space, with high ceilings, natural materials, warm lighting, and splashes of blue. A long bar looks over the open kitchen, which features new toys like a custom-built Brick Chef charcoal grill.

In sync with the sustainability credentials of the building, ima Asa Yoru operates using a low-waste, high recycling model. Scraps are given a second life in some of the dishes, or composted, while rescued ‘ugly’ produce is given a chance to shine.

During the day, it’s an all-day breakfast and lunch menu featuring things like chirashi (seasoned rice with kingfish), tamagoyaki (rolled beaten-egg omlette) with rice puffs, and ima’s signature teishoku sets of rice, miso soup, pickles, and fish or eggplant. There’s single origin coffee and tea, alternative lattes, and house-made juices.

For dinner, it’s an izakaya-style menu of hot and cold dishes that blends contemporary Melbourne dining with Japanese flavours and technique. Beef tataki is topped with a roasted tomato and yakiniku sauce, and leeks and garlic chips. Kingfish and scallop sashimi is served simply with wakame and a yuzu vinaigrette, while crispy fried prawn heads are designed to be eaten whole, served with kimchi mayo.

The rich fattiness of tender grilled ox tongue is offset by delicate leek and shio tare with notes of yuzu. Mixed mushrooms, meanwhile, shine with soy, shallot oil, and lemon zest.

To drink, it’s an interesting selection of wine, sake, and beer, plus house cocktails that put a Japanese spin on the classics. The hojicha old fashioned is a must try. There’s also a decent selection of non-alcoholic options if you’re looking to skip the booze.

A few doors up you’ll find ima Pantry. Visit during the day for a selection of grocery essentials, local artisanal products, unique Japanese pantry items, and takeaway options like toasties, onigiri, and Japanese pastries.


ima Asa Yoru

1 Duckett Street
Brunswick
Victoria 3056
Australia

Telephone: (03) 9989 2309
E-mail: [email protected]
Website

Open
Tue: 11:00am to 3:00pm
Wed – Fri: 11:00am to 3:00pm; 5:30pm to 9:00pm
Sat: 10:00am to 3:00pm; 5:30pm to 9:00pm
Sun: 8:30am to 3:00pm

48 Hours In El Paso: Things To Do

EL PASO | El Paso is a city located on the Rio Grande across the Mexico–United States border from Ciudad Juárez. The region is rich in culture, called home by Native American people for over 10,000 years. The city itself (present day Juárez) was founded by the Spanish as El Paso del Norte in 1659. The northern part of that city became El Paso in 1850, in the aftermath of the Mexican–American War.

This history has shaped the city as it exists today. When you visit, you’ll see its influence of the city’s culture, food, arts scene, and more. El Paso is a unique city, not quite like any other in the US. There are lots of things to do in El Paso, its compact size making it a great option if you’re looking for a short getaway.

Here’s my list of the best things to do in El Paso.


Discover The City’s Vibrant Murals

El Paso has a thriving street art scene. The combination of its border city status, history, and vibrant university means that there’s a lot for people to talk about through their art.

In particular, check out the city’s Centro, El Segundo, and Lincoln Park neighbourhoods. They’re full of colourful murals depicting the city’s Latin and Native American culture and community.

The mixed industrial and residential El Segundo Barrio is my favourite, filled with amazing Chicano murals. Beautiful murals pained by locals, through which they share their lives, dreams, concerns, and stories.

Eat Mexican Food

It goes without saying that the Mexican food in El Paso is outstanding. There’s traditional Mexican and Tex-Mex food aplenty, ranging from simple street food-style far to more substantial home-style meals.

For home-style Mexican dishes cooked with love, visit L&J Cafe. It’s run by the fourth generation of the family that opened the restaurant in 1927. For classic Mexican fare in an unexpected dive bar location, The Tap Bar & Restaurant is a must visit. Their nachos, with each corn chip individually topped with just the right proportion of ingredients, are considered by many to be the best in Texas. For a unique, affordable snack, the rolled tacos (flautas) in tomato soup at institution Chico’s Tacos are worth a try.

Go To A Museum

There’s no shortage of museums to visit in El Paso. The El Paso Museum of History is a great place to learn about the past 400 years of history in the United States/Mexico border region. The Chamizal National Memorial, meanwhile, deals with the over 100-year long Chamizal dispute (which was settled in 1964) caused by the shifting Rio Grande, and the associated border uncertainties that this created.

Art lovers can visit the El Paso Museum of Art. It contains a collection of American, Mexican, and European art. History buffs should visit the 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss Museum, which delves into the role that Fort Bliss has played in the area since its establishment in 1949 as an army training and operations centre.

Learn About The Chihuahuan Desert

The Centennial Museum and Chihuahuan Desert Gardens can be found at the University of Texas El Paso campus. They showcase the over 800 plants that live in the Chihuahuan Desert, with an interesting exhibit that details the desert’s history, and topical current issues related to the desert.

See A Himalayan Temple

While at the University, be sure to visit the Lhakhang Cultural Exhibit. The Lhakhang is an authentic Bhutanese temple that was gifted to the United States in 2008. The interior was built in Bhutan, and shipped to the US where it was assembled by American and Bhutanese craftspeople, using traditional techniques.

Step Thousands Of Years Back In Time

Hidden in the Chihuahua Desert, just outside of El Paso, you’ll find the Hueco Tanks. They’re catch-basin rocks covered in over 3,000 pictographs, some of which date back to 6000-3000 BCE. Up to 8,000 years of Native American cultures are represented in these paintings. They show things like mask designs of the Pueblan Katchina Cult, hunts of the Mescalero Apache Plains warriors, and scenes from daily life.

Beyond the pictographs, the area is also a great spot for hiking, rock climbing, and bird watching.

Visit A Historic Theatre

The Plaza Theatre was built in the Spanish Colonial Revival architectural style in 1930. Carefully restored in 2006, it features intricately painted ceilings, mosaic-tiled floors, decorative metal railings and antique furniture. It’s one of the few atmospheric theatres remaining in the US, conveying the illusion that viewers are seated outdoors in a Spanish courtyard.

It’s well worth seeing a show or performance here, but if that’s not your thing, you can still admire the interior and exterior. Free public tours are run every Tuesday at 12:00pm.

Walk Along The Border

El Paso–Juárez is a transborder agglomeration. That is, two cities in two countries that are, in basic terms, one city. Indeed, until 1850, both cities were one and the same, the Mexican city of El Paso del Norte.

Walking along the border is an enlightening experience. The part of El Centro that starts about a 10 minute walk from the border is lively, fascinating area to walk through. It’s a world away from the “skyscraper” part of of the neighbourhood, just a few blocks north. One moment you feel like you’re in a typical US downtown, the next it feels like you’re in Mexico.

If you’re up for it, and have your passport on you, you can even walk across the Paso del Norte International Bridge and have a wander through Juarez. If you do, it’s best to organise a walking tour with one of the many El Paso-based operators who run them.


Have you been to El Paso before? What are some of your favourite things to do in the city?

48 Hours In Cheyenne: Things To Do

CHEYENNE | Cheyenne is the capital and largest city in Wyoming. Founded in 1867, and named for the Cheyenne Native American people, the very mention of the city evokes memories of frontier days and the Wild West.

Cheyenne is a great city in which to enjoy a long weekend. Visitors to the city will find a place full of character that leans into its past, while also having a vibrant modern arts and music scene. Learn about cowboys, rodeos, and the railroads, then see a band or a show while enjoying a locally brewed brew.

Here’s my list of things to do in Cheyenne, to help you plan your visit.


Admire Authentic Historic Architecture

Cheyenne is a low-rise city. It’s tallest building is the Wyoming State Capitol, a grand sandstone building that was constructed between 1886 and 1890. You can tour the sandstone building, which is as beautiful on the inside as it is on the outside.

Downtown is filled with beautiful Victorian-era architecture, which evokes the days of the Wild West. There’s theatres, mansions, and more, dating back to the early 1900s. Check out the Union Pacific Railroad Depot, Paramount Ballroom, and Cody Theatre.

Discover The City’s Bronze Statues

25 bronze statues have been installed across Cheyenne since 2010, with at least 30 more planned in the coming years. The statues feature western figures, people, wildlife and scenes from everyday life. They’re a representation the experience of the city, the state of Wyoming, and its people. Finding them, and reading the plaques on each, is a great way to learn assorted pieces of information about Wyoming.

Enjoy The City’s Food & Drink Scene

Downtown favourite The Albany is a casual bar and restaurant serving up American classics, while Railspur is a great choice for contemporary American eats. Another great options is The Office Bar and Grill, especially if you want to try a bison steak. For the best BBQ in town, be sure to visit T-N-T BBQ, which pops up a few times a week in the parking lot of trinket and antiques store Funky Monkey.

During the day, Paramount Cafe is a good choice for quality coffee, and tasty breakfast and lunch bites. For a drink, check out Westby Edge Brewing, Accomplice Beer Company, and Blue Raven Brewery.

Experience Cowboy and Cowgirl Culture

Cheyenne Frontier Days is a 10 day festival of rodeos, concerts, cultural celebrations, and a livestock show. It’s been run for 130 years and is the largest outdoor and rodeo celebration in the world. It happens in late July each year, and is a great way to experience the city’s cowboy and cowgirl culture.

If you’re not in town when the festival is on, there’s usually a rodeo on somewhere close to town.

Find The Giant Cowboy Boots

Dotted around downtown are 36 giant, 2.4 metre (8 foot), cowboy boots painted by local artists. Each “Cheyenne Big Boot” portrays a different theme, dealing with a different part of the city’s history. There’s the whimsical, like card-playing deer and antelope, to important events like women’s suffrage.

Learn About Wyoming’s History

Cheyenne was built in the era of the railway, and railways are one of the backbones of the city. The Cheyenne Depot Museum, a grand Romanesque stone building, teaches visitors about this history. The Nelson Museum of the West, meanwhile, deals with the ‘Wild West’ history of the city. To learn more about Cheyenne’s ranching and rodeo culture, visit the Cowgirls of the West Museum & Emporium.

Seek Out Street Art

Cheyenne isn’t the first place that comes to mind when one thinks about street art, but it’s a city that punches above its weight in that regard. There’s quite a few murals in downtown and around the industrial area in the western part of the city.

Murals are mostly painted by local artists and have a community focus. On the first Friday of each month, you can join a Cheyenne Artwalk, which are run by local artists.

Shop For Western Apparel

Consisting of a three story red-painted brick building dating back to 1892, and the adjacent former hotel is The Wrangler. It’s a one-stop-shop for ranch wear, Western clothing, hats, boots and accessories. There’s 500 different hats alone, with prices to suit all budgets. Even if you’re not intending to buy anything, it’s a fascinating store to walk through.

Spend Time In Nature

Located a 25 minute drive west of downtown, Curt Gowdy State Park is a public recreation area covering 13.7 square kilometres (5.3 square miles). It’s popular for its extensive biking, hiking, and horseback riding trails. You can also go boating, canoeing, water skiing, fishing, camping, rockhounding, and do archery.

Doju, Melbourne CBD

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MELBOURNE | Korean food continues to go from strength to strength in Melbourne. From traditional late night Korean BBQ spots pocha-inspired venues, to restaurants that are putting a contemporary spin on things, there’s never been a better time to be a fan of Korean food in this city. The latest restaurant to throw its hat into the ring is Doju.

Doju takes its name from owner/head chef Mika Chae’s hometown Jeollanam-do and Meju, a fermented, Korean soybean bloc. Mika moved to Australia in 2013, working at Sezar and Attica before moving to Tasmanian to become head chef at Grain of the Silos in Launceston. Here, he deepened his knowledge of Australian produce and farming, building close relationships with Tasmanian farmers.

Working directly with farmers, and selecting the produce himself is a key part of the quality sourcing ethos at Doju. It’s a modern Australian restaurant, driven by seasonality, inspired Korean flavours and cooking techniques.

Like many Melbourne menus of late, snacks and small dishes are where the really fun stuf happens. Order everything from both sections, like I did, and you’ll be in for a treat.

Sourdough is flavoured with gochujang and served with zucchini dip, while beef tartare uses beef from retired dairy cows with, desert lime and a dill emulsion, atop bugak (fried rice flour coated seaweed cracker). Tender, subtly smoky burnt leeks with chicken skin crisp, cashew cream, and brown butter are a must try. So too is the WA marron with garlic butter, stinging nettle noodle, and ‘green sauce’.

From the larger dishes, it’s hard to go past the wonderful array of vegetables that’s the ganjang braised kohlarbi, endive escariole, and oyster mushroom. If it’s something meatier you’re after, there’s lamb rump with garlic yogurt, cimi de rapa, and herbs; and steak of the day with seasonal condiments. Both are cooked over fire on the charcoal grill. Whatever you do, be sure to order the baked potato with black garlic butter side. It’s fantastic.

For dessert, the sesame ash chocolate cigar, filled with coffee mascarpone and cherry jam, is a light way to end your meal. As for drinks, there’s a sharp wine, soju, and beer list, plus house cocktails that feature Korean flavours like Korean pear, yuju (yuzu), and gochujang.

And yes, if you’re wondering about that surname, Mika is a distant cousin of chef Jung Eun Chae, of Cockatoo restaurant Chae fame.


Doju

9/530 Little Collins Street
Melbourne
Victoria 3000
Australia

Telephone: (03) 9576 7447
E-mail: [email protected]
Website

Open
Mon – Sat: 5:00pm to 10:00pm