MuMu

Overview

Back in 2022, a new venue from Sydney hospitality giant Merivale arrived in its Ivy precinct. MuMu was the latest venture from beloved local chef Dan Hong (Ms G's, Mr Wong), serving up south-east Asian street food-inspired dishes. The restaurant pulls ideas from trips Hong, Merrivale CEO Justin Hemmes and Head Chef Oliver Hua took through Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Vietnam.

Open for lunch at midday and staying open until late in the evening, MuMu offers an all-day selection of south-east Asian eats alongside wine, cocktails and two hefty banquet menus. On the food menu, Hong recommends the selection of house-made sambals, the king prawns cooked in white pepper with leek and coriander and the pork spare ribs with a tamarind glaze and Vietnamese mint. The set menus are available for groups of four and will get you the king prawns, lamb cutlets, nasi goreng  and a collection of sides and starters. 

If you're coming with a group, be sure to book your banquet for one of the two private dining rooms, that have been elegantly designed to complement the South-East Asian menu, with ambient lighting, bright and fun furniture and eccentric artworks. 

Glancing over the drinks menu, Hong's popular yuzu slushies immediately jump out, but once you've started with a fun icy beverage you can turn your attention to something more serious. Opt for one of the inventive cocktails on offer like the Riot Rose spritz with blood orange, rhubarb and passionfruit, or the Suntory Highball with Suntory Toki, yuzu, ginger and fizz. 

The music and the lights are bright at MuMu, with Hong looking to create a vibrant venue for any time of the day. The restaurant combines the inner-city dining experience of neighbour Bar Totti's, while complementing the precinct's late-night spots like Ivy and Jimmy's Falafel.

Top image: Jiwon Kim