MELBOURNE | A few years ago, Singapore-based, Kuala Lumpur native Sebastian Low, had the idea of bringing some of his favourite KL hawkers to Singapore. He made the idea a reality when he opened EatAlley on Orchard Road in 2023. Luckily for Melburnians, the second EatAlley location opened in QV last month, in the spot where Papa Rich used to be. I popped in for What’s on Melbourne to take a look.
EatAlley is modelled after a Malaysian/Singaporean food court, with nods to the vendors’ hawker heritage. All under the one roof, ordering is done through a QR code which combines all of the hawker’s menus. It’s an impressive line-up of vendors, some of which trace their heritage back over 80 years.
Indeed, the families who run each of the hawkers at EatAlley have had input into their Melbourne counterparts. As much of the same ingredients as possible are used, and kitchen staff have been trained by the OGs, some of which are in their third generation.
You’ll find options like 70 year-old bah kut teh specialists, Siong Huat; Koon Kee’s wonton mee; Kampung Nasi Lemak; and kopitam, Khiang Pin. The latter was run by the grandfather of EatAlley’s Australian operations manager, Kher Chink Pang, until he retired in 2023. EatAlley gave Kher the opportunity to revive his grandfather’s spot.
You’ll find plenty of classics to enjoy, like Hainanese chicken rice, laksa, and braised duck noodles, plus a few things that are done in ways not usually seen in Melbourne. Dark soy sauce braised and wok-finished KL Hokkien mee from Hong Lai Hokkien Mee are a must. For a winter warmer, Siong Huat’s comforting bah kut teh hits the spot.
For a different take on kaya toast, try the version from Khiang Pin, which swaps the usual white bread for bread that’s made in the style of a Hong Kong pineapple bun. It goes great with their salted cream topped kopi. You can also get the classic versions of both if you like.
EatAlley
Shop 11, L2. QV
Swanston Street
Melbourne
Victoria 3000
Australia
Telephone: n/a
E-mail: n/a
Website
Open
Sun – Thu: 11:30am to 9:00pm
Fri – Sat: 11:30am to 9:30pm