Overview
Home to an endless variety of Asian cuisine, a single street in Melbourne's east houses some of the best honest, hawker-style food in the city.
On Kingsway, Glen Waverley, deceptively delicious eateries run rampant. The epitome of casual eating, Glen Waverley’s dirt-cheap Asian food is kind to both your stomach and your purse. Although often associated with notoriously poor customer service, it's quite arguably one of Melbourne's most loved and regarded cheap eating scenes. Bring some good humour and you'll enjoy a simple, tasty meal — and in classic Glen Waverley style, it won't cost you more than $15.
CHIVE DUMPLINGS AT HONG KONG DIM SUM: $3.80
It's one of the smaller restaurants in Glen Waverley, but that makes Hong Kong Dim Sum ideal for grazers reluctant to break the budget on high-class yum cha. This eatery doesn’t wheel around trolleys filled with food — instead opting for a small, specialised yum cha menu made to order. Stick to classic dim sum options like the scallop or chives dumplings ($3.80 for three) and you'll walk away pleasantly topped up with quality Chinese fare. If you're particularly impressed by the food, you can purchase a freshly frozen set of items from the freezer.
77 Kingsway, Glen Waverley; (03) 9545 3886; facebook.com
PRAWN MEE AT PAPPA RICH: $12.90
Always the crowd pleaser, dining at Pappa Rich usually involves a short wait at peak times. But don't be deterred by the queue — you'll be seated surprisingly quickly with expert staff cleverly maximising the spacious interior.
Although technically a Malay eatery, the menu is heavily influenced by Indian and Chinese flavours. There's a variety of dishes to choose from, and a pleasantly creative drink menu. The Pappa Prawn Mee is a highlight here, with a balanced broth of rich prawns and tangy Asian spices. The flavours at Pappa Rich are a little more intricate than some other Glen Waverley eateries, which is surely reflected eagerly by the restaurant's devoted following.
92-94 Kingsway, Glen Waverley; (03) 9560 0968; papparich.net.au
YONG TOFU AT THE GRAND TOFU: $9.80
Here at The Grand Tofu you'll find one of the biggest, steaming hot bowls of noodle soup available for a mere ten bucks. This is classic Asian street-style soup at its best. There are a few other standard hawker flavours on the menu, including some notable vegetarian options, but Yong Tofu orders dominate most nights.
Choose from a braised, tom yum, or curry soup base. Add your choice of noodles (or choose a mix) and six feature items. As a little delight, the generous range of dumplings, fish-stuffed vegetables and bean curd items are displayed in a glass case for you. The vegetarian bean curd roll and stuffed eggplant are particular standouts.
102 Kingsway, Glen Waverley; (03) 9560 1700
PORK DUMPLINGS AT RARAMEN: $8.80
If crowds are anything to go by, this inconspicuous dining hall serves some of the best budget dumplings in Melbourne. The menu is extensive, but most patrons don't read beyond the dumpling list. Which is fair enough, really, when a mere $8.80 will buy you 12 of the juiciest pork treasures in town. Steamed or fried, these succulent, warm parcels are easily some of Glen Waverley's most popular hidden gems.
A two-storey restaurant, RaRamen is a treat for groups with the upstairs section featuring lengthy tables specifically designed to accommodate sharing and general festivity. And if you needed another reason to visit, there are also free slurpees.
114 Kingsway, Glen Waverley; (03) 9561 5665; facebook.com
HAINANESE CHICKEN RICE AT STRAITS OF MALACCA: $9.80
Traditional Malaysian dishes with a western-friendly influence reign supreme at this lively restaurant. There's a genuine mix of conventional and modern Malaysian flavours, but the "most popular" Hainanese Chicken Rice is a particular standout. Beautifully light chicken rice with sharp and sweet sauces complement softly steamed meat — be patient for this one, it's worth it. If you feel adventurous, try some Malaysian drinks including the classic Kopi ($3) and the Three Layered Teh ($3.5). Ambience can be lacking occasionally, but the food is so gloriously cheap here that it's hard to mind.
78 Kingsway, Glen Waverley; (03) 9561 3880
Malacca Straits image credit: annieenguyenn; The Grand Tofu image credit: foodiebebs; Hong Kong Dim Sum image credit: Alpha via Flickr