MuMu

A new venue from Sydney hospitality giant Merivale has arrived in its Ivy precinct. Mumu is 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.

Opening 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 ($15), the wok-fried prawns cooked in fish sauce and brown butter ($38) and the Phnom Phen fried chicken ($32). The set menus are available for groups of four or more and start at $88 which will get you the aforementioned prawns and fried chicken, as well as salmon, crispy rice salad, nasi goreng, wagyu rump and a collection of sides and starters.

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 KTC High Tea's Chivas 12, honeydew, jasmine and lime leaf mix; or the Lost in Bangkok, featuring Plymouth Sloe gin, Havana 3, watermelon and lychee.

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

Top image: Jiwon Kim