Located in a cosy, wooden dining room with old-school furniture, shelves full of curios and a checkerboard floor, Udom House in West Melbourne feels like home the moment you walk in. The order here is Thai breakfast eats, bringing flavours from all over the country and moulding them to fit in with the beloved Aussie brunch culture. The staff are fun and relaxed, the food is colourful and full of bold flavours, and the atmosphere is as unpretentious as a brunch venue can get. If you're going to whittle away a few hours of your day discussing nothing of much importance over some great coffee and delicious food, then this is the place to do it. In true Thai style, the menu is full of personality. The first food category is labelled Not Very Hungry. Options here include Thai toast with toppings such as butter and sugar, condensed milk, chilli paste and pork floss, and butter and Milo. There are pastry jaffles, too, with options ranging from the basic (cheese) to the interesting (chilli paste with pork floss, ham and cheese). For something in between, opt for the spinach and rocket. Flip the Udom House menu over, and you'll find the Pretty Hungry section, and this is where the chefs really begin to shine. Here, you'll find a variety of omelettes, a Hor Mhok Yang fish curry served in banana leaves and topped with a boiled egg, and a prawn larb with shallots, spring onion, and coriander mint, served on either jasmine or sticky rice. When it comes to coffee, it offers all the standards, as well as a section labelled Not Your Usual Coffee. Here, you'll find Thai-style options, including the Dirty Coffee, with rich, creamy milk and a double ristretto, served in a frozen glass. Be sure to take your time exploring the vast menu at Udom House in West Melbourne — don't just stop in for a takeaway coffee and call it a day. Images: Supplied. Like what you see? Subscribe to the Concrete Playground newsletter to get stories just like these straight to your inbox.
