Overview
Kevin Un has worked across some of Sydney's best kitchens, including Restaurant Hubert, Lotus Dining Group and Sergeant Lok. Now, he's at the helm of a new Northern Beaches restaurant that's pulling together this experience and paying homage to his Malaysian-Indonesian heritage.
Lantern Fish explore's South-East Asian cuisines, drawing from the traditional without being afraid to get creative. You'll find a dumpling menu that leans heavily on prawn, offering up combinations like scallop and prawn or pork and prawn siu mai. Or there are cheeseburger spring rolls, Malaysian kingfish ceviche, red curry prawn toast and tsui wan poached two ways.
"I would describe my food as Malaysian, Indonesian and Chinese. It is my heritage combined with my experience," Un says. "I like it to be creative, I don't want my food to be found anywhere else but it won't be over the top; no foams or gels. I want it to be different but I want it to be fun."
Alongside these signature dishes, the menu is extensive, providing more of Un's vibrant version of classic dishes. Other highlights include five-spice tofu and zucchini san choy bow, flash-fried cauliflower with Sichuan sauce, twelve-hour Cape Grim beef ribs and XO crab fried rice.
If you order ahead, you can also organise to centre your meal around the Lanturn Fish specials — mud crab and lobster feasts.
"When I was younger, the Chinese New Year table in Kuching would be a lot, more than 30 people, and we would always have three huge crabs cooked by my grandma. I want people to experience that," says Un.
And, drop in for lunch and you can treat yourself to the express feast for $42 for two people. This special daytime set menu features oysters, salt and four-pepper squid, dumplings, smokey fried rice, kung pao chicken and chilli jam greens.
Lantern Fish is located at Shop 5/2–8 Darley Road, Manly. It's open midday-3pm and 5–9pm Tuesday–Thursday and midday–3pm and 5–10pm Friday–Sunday.
Photos: Kimberley Low