Wong’s Lucky Bar, Box Hill

Highlight – Value-for-money crab

Lowlight – Super squishy between tables

Hainanese Chicken Rice

Crab with egg noodles

FOOD?

Wong’s Lucky Bar is popular for its Hainanese chicken rice and crab with egg noodles. We were lucky to try both in the one sitting together with a plate of crispy fried chicken and a mountain of vegetables. The boneless chicken was moist and succulent served with the standard chicken rice sauces that were a tad on the oily side but still quite tasty. I also recommend the deep-fried flounder, the salty batter was crunchy and seasoned well with spring onions and shallots.

More importantly onto the crab, at $13.80 per pound we were in for a bargain! We ordered two crabs with three serves of noodles. Overall the dish was flavoursome but lacked enough sauce to cover the noodles which is evident in the photo above. Simplicity was key in the dish with the use of ginger and spring onions to create the sauce.

Don’t come here if you’re after a relaxing night out, this is more of an eat-and-go restaurant where you’ll surely leave with a full belly. I did not see any alcoholic beverages, only hot Chinese tea and soft drinks.

SERVICE?

Staff are super busy running back and forth taking orders, serving dishes and clearing tables. They are efficient and get the job done however don’t seem to have a spare moment when you want to ask a question about the menu. When our waitress asked us how many serves of noodles we wanted with the crab we were unsure and asked her opinion. She could not offer any suggestions so we took a guess and ordered three. As such we ended up ordering way too much on top of our other dishes.

AMBIENCE?

Situated in the middle section of Whitehorse Road at the Box Hill tram stop, Wong’s Lucky Bar is a standalone restaurant. I never really noticed it before until someone mentioned it to me. As the restaurant space is quite limited there is not really any space to wait inside and the people who choose to are pretty much watching other people eat.

There is also a cafe adjoined to the restaurant with outdoor seating surrounded by thick plastic sheets to block the wind. This is an option if the restaurant is at capacity but probably not your first preference especially during Winter.

VALUE?

Awesome value for money, at $13.80 a pound for mud crab you can’t really complain. Other dishes are about $8 each so very reasonable.

BOOKINGS?

I’ve actually been to Wong’s Lucky Bar twice in the last month! Call ahead if you can. Even a few hours before if possible so staff can reserve you a table. Although you still have to wait several minutes for a table to free up you will get first dibs on it as opposed to walking in off the street.

out of 10!

Wong’s Lucky Bar
921 Whitehorse Road, Box Hill VIC 3128
03 9899 8558 

 

Simon’s Peiking Duck, Box Hill South

Highlight – First course: DUCK

Lowlight – Space between tables is limited

Peiking duck, pancake, cucumber, spring onion and plum sauce

Duck meat stir fried with handmade noodles

FOOD?

If you’re after crispy skinned duck that is moist with just enough oiliness to line your lips then definitely give this place a go. One duck will feed approximately 2-3 people. We had four people and ordered two ducks for the table so by the end of the night I was seriously bursting at the seams.

After the first course of peking duck pancakes I was pretty much finished, I couldn’t even enjoy the ever so sought after duck drumsticks. Homemade pancakes were a treat as a opposed to the store-bought type and we didn’t run out of cucumber and spring onions as is usually the case with peking duck restaurants.

The duck bone soup with tofu was average and nothing to hype on about. Our handmade noodle selection was probably the best choice out of the bunch (you can choose from four different types of noodles: handmade, hor fun, egg, thin rice). Although they were a tad under-seasoned and there was an abundance of noodles in comparison to duck and mushrooms they were still quite tasty.

SERVICE?

Simon Lay is a charming host who visited our table a number of times during the night. He first asked if we had been to his restaurant before and then proceeded to teach us how to fold the peking duck pancakes – place the duck, cucumber and spring onion at 3:15, spoon over plum sauce and then fold the pancake accordingly. Another time he came over and introduced us to his adorable granddaughter.

AMBIENCE?

The restaurant was packed for both sessions and we were told by Simon that it has been consistently like that since opening. It is clear that his popularity from Old Kingdom has followed him.

VALUE?

If you’re going for the peking duck (which I don’t see why you wouldn’t as this is their specialty) there are two options: both include the duck bone soup with tofu and the peking duck pancakes. You can then choose if you want duck meat with bean shoots ($55 per duck) or duck meat stir fried with noodles ($63 per duck).

BOOKINGS?

Bookings are indeed necessary. There are two sessions for dinner 6pm and 8pm in which BYO is available.

I’ve tried to book a few times since but always last minute (the week before) and they have been fully booked out. So try to book as far in advance as you can!

out of 10!

Simon’s Peiking Duck Restaurant
197b Middleborough Road, Box Hill South VIC 3128
03 9898 5944 

 

Indochine, Box Hill

Highlight – Noodle soup dishes!

Lowlight – Service is sub-standard

Vietnamese Crepe (Banh Xeo): pork, prawns, mung beans, bean shoots served with lettuce, herbs & fish sauce

Rice noodle soup with chicken

FOOD?

Consistently decent traditional Vietnamese food. I recommend the buns (pronounced ‘boon’) which are the rice vermicelli dishes served with salads/vegies and your choice of meats. The Vietnamese egg pancake was tasty and the filling was satisfying. Ordering the usual Vietnamese dishes are a safe bet as these are their specialty so you can’t really go wrong here. Also, noodle soups are perfect during Winter to warm yourself up!

SERVICE?

Waitresses are straight to the point which can come across as a tad rude. Don’t expect 5-star service.

AMBIENCE?

Indochine is usually packed with a mixed bunch of mostly locals and regulars. It is noisy inside due to the busyness but it adds to the atmosphere.

VALUE?

You could go to Springvale and order the same meals for several dollars cheaper but having said this, Indochine meals are quite affordable. It is BYO wine so that is a plus and perfect for a quiet night out.

BOOKINGS?

Yes, book ahead to avoid disappointment especially during weekends as it is usually busy. If you’re dining with one other person this should be okay but you may have to wait a bit depending on the night.

out of 10!

Indochine
51 Carrington Road, Box Hill VIC 3128
03 9890 2966 

 

Petaling Street, Box Hill; Glen Waverley; Hawthorn; Melbourne

Highlight – Quick and easy meals for under $10

Lowlight – Service lacking

Mamak Mee Goreng

FOOD?

The Hawthorn branch seems to be the best out of the restaurant chain (according to mum). My mum and dad used to frequent the Hawthorn Petaling Street quite often but have been visiting there less so in the past six months. Mum says that the standard of food has dropped but dad disagrees. I think the quality of food varies from day-to-day and also depends on what you order.

I love ordering the Mee Goreng as the wok flavour truly comes out in the dish. I would also recommend the Hakka style egg noodles with belly pork. Mum recommends the fish fillet noodle soup. Lots of oily goodness to leave your lips greasy and your stomach lined!

SERVICE?

Service is as expected for the amount you’re paying per dish. So don’t expect a smile or all your dishes to come out at the same time. At the Glen Waverley restaurant I finished my meal before my friend’s meal came out. They want you in and out as fast as possible.

AMBIENCE?

A popular restaurant within the Asian community which is a good sign considering the cuisine. Always noisy chatter as per your usual Chinese – under $10 per meal – restaurant.

VALUE?

Decent sized meals with an average price of around $8-$9 per dish. Takeaway is available too!

BOOKINGS?

The Petaling Street restaurants are usually always busy. With such a quick turnover of tables no wonder they can afford to open yet another branch in the middle of Melbourne city (on Swanston Street).

As the food is delivered quickly to each table, patrons are in and out of the restaurant in no time so you won’t have to wait too long if the restaurant is currently full.

out of 10!

Petaling Street

704a GlenferrieRoad, Hawthorn VIC 3122 – 03 9818 0428
111 Kingsway, Glen Waverley VIC 3150 – 03 9561 1388
600 Station Street, Box Hill VIC 3128 – 03 9890 0972
1/160 Swanston Street, Melbourne VIC 3000 – 03 9639 8264