Spice Temple Melbourne Is Now Serving a Daily Yum Cha Special, Combining Hong Kong's Dim Sum Culture with Culinary Flair
Discover small dishes with big personality, as this Southbank institution serves up a fresh spin on the yum cha experience day in and day out.
Need a new lunchtime ritual? Spice Temple Melbourne might have the perfect option, putting a special spin on yum cha traditions at its refined Southbank digs. Drawing on Hong Kong's storied dim sum culture, the long-standing Crown Melbourne favourite adds its own rendition, with bold spices and vibrant ingredients brought together from China's diverse provinces, from Sichuan to Xinjiang.
Executive Chef Andy Evans leads this assortment of elegant miniature servings, now available every day from 12–2.30pm. Designed for sharing, this generous spread fuses considered technique and Spice Temple flair, where the spirit of yum cha combines with communal dishes made for tight-knit gatherings.
Celebrating texture, tradition and flavour, the menu is one hit after the next. Ease into the feast with cold cuts and salads like hiramasa yellowtail kingfish and bang bang Hazeldene's chicken. Then delve into six elevated dumpling options, spanning golden wagyu bao and prawn wontons dressed in aged black vinegar.
Alongside a pair of pickle options, a selection of hot entrees is bound to entice. Fried silken tofu, crispy eggplant, and fried Corner Inlet calamari, finished with typhoon shelter-style dry dressing, are just some of the highlights. Whether you're heading along for a sharp workday luncheon or a weekend feast, expect to depart Spice Temple stuffed.
And while this yum cha experience might not be exactly traditional, it hasn't overlooked the fundamental role top-quality tea plays in the ritual. There are eight to explore on the menu, with herbaceous options like chamomile and yuzu or classic peppermint delivering an intense finish. Remember, yum cha means drink tea, so don't skip a fresh brew.
However, if you're keen to level up your lunchtime session, Spice Temple also has a stellar wine list designed to complement Chinese flavours, with 100 bottles to consider. Plus, there's a concise cocktail list, with 12 creative drinks themed around the Chinese zodiac. With 2025 being the year of the snake, now is the ideal opportunity to sample the matching cocktail, featuring an effervescent blend of house-infused Skyy pear vodka, yuzu, agave and ginger beer.
Spice Temple's daily yum cha experience is available now from 12–2.30pm at 8 Whiteman Street, Southbank. Head to the website for more information.
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