AUS: Chin Chin
"Riotous Southeast Asian dining sensation!"
Describing itself as "the renegade of the Australian dining scene", Chin Chin has become one of the most talked-about dining spots with its bold, modern take on Asian cuisine with a focus on Southeast Asian flavours. Since its opening in 2011, the lively, high-energy restaurant has been drawing steady crowds.
Indeed, that was my first time eating ants. I'm not sure about you, but I've always found the sight of a swarm of ants unsettling, the kind that sends a faint shiver up my spine and makes the hairs on my arms stand on end.
Chin Chin Pork Roll Ups A$32.50 (~S$29.25)
Taste: 8/10
Designed as a playful DIY affair, the Chinese-inspired dish arrived with thin pancake, pulled pork, plum sauce and slaw. Rolling up all the elements together, I found it delivering a satisfying mix of textures: pillowy pancake, succulent pulled pork and crunchy slaw. The plum sauce added a sweet-tart richness that lifted the meat.
Butter Chicken Curry A$38.50 (~S$34.85)
Taste: 8/10
Moving on to India for one of the main courses, the butter chicken curry looked irresistibly comforting with tender chunks of chicken swimming in rich, golden-orange gravy. Lightly swirled with yogurt, the curry was silky and aromatic, nice to have with a bowl of rice. Juicy cherry tomatoes added bursts of acidity that helped cut through the richness of the curry.
Tom Yum Fried Rice A$39.50 (~S$35.55)
Taste: 8.5/10
The Thai style fried rice was the highlight of the meal. Nutty, fragrant wild rice was stir-fried and tossed in a zesty, citrusy paste inspired by the classic Thai hot and sour soup. It was topped with fresh mint and fried shallots, as well as accompanied by a non-greasy soft-shell crab that delivered a satisfying crunch with every bite.
Whatever U Want A$25.50 (~S$22.95)
Taste: 8/10
Choosing from a tempting array of cocktails wasn’t easy, but I eventually settled on a Gin Sour variant that was to my liking. Crowned with a thick, velvety egg white foam that had a striking purple stencil design, the drink was a lively mix of gin, lemon, lychee and ginger. I suppose the slightly purplish hue might've come from butterfly pea flower.
Melon's Rating
Taste: 8/10
Ambience: 6/10
Service: 8/10
Overall: 7.5/10
While I love the stylish interior, the restaurant could get noisy with such a large crowd. Pika's advice: Unsure what to order? The Classics menu is certainly a safe bet, featuring Chin Chin's most popular dishes. With a minimum requirement of two diners, it's priced at A$89.00 (~S$80.05) per person.
Chin Chin
125 Flinders Lane
Melbourne, Victoria
Australia
(Tue-Sun: 11.00am - 11.00pm)
*Prices quoted are nett prices.
Have a nice meal,
Cliff(y)
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