MELBOURNE | Mamao มาเมา is a Melbourne Thai restaurant that opened on Queen Street in August last year. Loosely translating as “get drunk” in English, it’s proven a hit with Thai expats and students looking for an affordable feed and lively atmosphere. I recently visited to get some photos for What’s On Melbourne.
It’s a small, fun spot that gets quite vibrant in the evenings, as the lights turn colourful and low, and the live band starts playing from the small stage at the back. Posters plastered on the walls and ceiling from the more risqué segment of the Thai movie industry complete the vibe.
The focus at Mamao is on keenly priced Thai street food. There’s an extensive menu that stays true to what you’ll find being sold by vendors on the streets of Thailand. Boat noodles come in a broth made from pig’s blood and Thai spices, filled with bean sprouts, morning glory, fried garlic, fried pork fat, beef tripe, and your choice of beef or pork meatballs, meat slices, and noodles. It’s legit, and it’s delicious.
Mamao’s Mama tom yum hot pot is another must order. Fragrant tom yum broth filled with instant noodles, deep fried pork belly, prawns, pork loaf, egg, pork crackers, and coriander.
Other dishes include things like som tam with salted crab, gai yang (Thai grilled chicken), and grilled ‘crying tiger’ beef. It’s an extensive menu overall, one you can enjoy as part of a large group sharing a whole lot of things, or a solo diner ordering one of the meal combos.
To drink it’s well priced beer and cocktails, along with an assortment of non-alcoholic drinks like Thai milk tea, pink milk, and longan juice.
Mamao มาเมา
338 Queen Street
Melbourne
Victoria 3000
Australia
Telephone: 0422 919 169
E-mail: n/a
Website
Open
Mon – Sun: 11:30am to 4:00pm, 5:00pm to 1:30am