MELBOURNE | There’s nothing quite like discovering a new gem while walking around town, and Sanhe Congee definitely fits the bill. I noticed the new restaurant about a two months ago while walking along Victoria Street. Research brought up nothing more than a Google Maps and Uber Eats listing, but it mattered not. My spider sense was tingling. The curiosity of What’s On Melbourne was also piqued, and I popped in over the weekend to find out more and grab some photos for them.
Sanhe Congee specialises in Chinese-style, comforting Asian rice porridge, congee. You’ll find 30 savoury and sweet versions on the menu, with flavours like Chinese yam and pork mince; preserved egg with Chinese sausage; and shiitake mushroom with pork ribs. It’s a hearty base, to which you can add things like longan, corn, and fermented bean paste. I tried the preserved egg with Chinese sausage and loved the savoury, slightly funky, flavour.
Along with congee, you’ll also find a selection of light, healthy soups, dim sum, and sides. Soups are predominantly chicken or pork rib based, with your choice of vegetable or mushroom. The pork rib soup with chewy, nest-like dictyophora mushroom, jujube, and wolf berry (goji berry), is one of the most popular options, and is great.
Dim sum and sides include things like steamed pork buns, salted egg custard buns, and brown sugar glutinous rice cakes. The dumplings are brilliant for a place that doesn’t specialise in them. Great flavour and texture with a delicate, chewy skin.
To drink, it’s a small selection of soda, Wong Lo Kat herbal tea, and sweetened soy milk.
Sanhe Congee
185 Victoria Street
West Melbourne
Victoria 3003
Australia
Telephone: 0483 041 822
E-mail: n/a
Website: n/a
Open
Mon – Sun: 11:00am to 3:00pm; 5:00pm to 9:00pm