Bokchoy TangPh: 9650 8666 ; 3rd Floor, Federation Square, Swanston St cnr Flinders St, MELBOURNE 3000 www.bokchoytang.com.auNorthern Chinese, $$ - Open 7 days 11am-3pm 5pm-late; Licensed; AE MC V EFT Chef Henry Sheng & Ji Wenrul (10-1-10) Owner George Oing (10-1-10) |
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Mietta's Review
A hidden treasure. Just to enter is to be calmed and soothed by the Ying and Yang design and decor. It's big (seats 200) but has an intimate feel. Great staff and service and, it claims, Melbourne's first open Chinese kitchen. The menu offers Chinese food with a difference, a superb melange of flavours at reasonable prices, with a sneaky view down into Federation Square. There is also an outside terrace that should prove popular on warmer days.
Other published opinions
Age Good Food Guide 2010 Score: 14.5/20 "There is much to relish in this slice of Northern China. From the central, open-plan kitchen comes food that ventures beyond common Cantonese interpretations, including some regional specialities seldom seen outside China such as pork-ball and sea-cucumber hotpot, and whole, boned duck stuffed with sticky rice, ginseng, wolfberries and star anise"
Age Good Food Guide 2009 Score: 14/20 "Its location, tucked up in a far nook of Fed Square, contrasts with Bokchoy Tang's characteristic openness, evident in the honest, uncomplicated cooking and open-plan dining space"
Age Good Food Guide 2008 Score: 14/20 "Tucked away on the third level of Federation Square, Bokchoy Tang doesn't get much passing trade, but it's worth seeking out for a pleasant change from stock-standard Chinese"
The Age, A2, 13/3/04, John Weldon,'rather stylish, serving modern Chinese food, and more importantly serving dinner from 5pm, meaning you can book fairly early, and eat at your leisure. Northern China is the source of inspiration'
Herald Sun, weekend, eat, Bob Hart, 5/7/03. One of the only ground-breaking Chinese restaurants to open in Melbourne for some time. The cuisine of Shandong province is vastly different to most Chinese food that is on offer in Melbourne.
The Age, Sunday Life, Eat Streets, Dani Valent, 22/6/03. "This northern-Chinese restaurant has an open kitchen, so you can watch Port Philip blue mussels throw metre high flames as they're wok-fried. Try, too, Sichuan-style free-range chicken with handmade noodles."
SMH, Good Living, 25/3/03, Matthew Evans. One of the best picks of Melbourne's new eating opportunities. Home-style northern Chinese cuisine with an open kitchen and modern good looks.
Herald Sun, food & drink, dining out, 28/1/03, Stephen Downes, Score 12/20. Intriguing but routine northern Chinese food.
Or perhaps ...
Ants Bistro (03) 9639 2908, 7 Corrs La, Melbourne - There is a wonderful sense of fun that prevails throughout the dining experience at Ants Bistro. Dishes are predominantly Northern Chinese.
Bamboo House 9662 1565, 47 Little Bourke St, Melbourne - A restrained and elegant experience is what dining at Bamboo House is all about.
Bokchoy Tang 9650 8666, 3rd Floor, Federation Square, Swanston St cnr Flinders St, Melbourne - A hidden treasure. Great staff and service. The menu offers Chinese food with a difference. Outside terrace for warm weather.
Chine on Paramount (03) 9663 6556, Shop 9 & 10 Paramount Centre, 101 Little Bourke St, Melbourne - Opposite the lions guarding the Chinese museum this restaurant attracts a largely business clientele.
Dahu Peking Duck Restaurant (03) 9663 3868, 171 Little Bourke St, Melbourne - A first floor Northern Chinese restaurant overlooking the intersection of Russell and Little Bourke Streets.
Dragon Boat On The Yarra (03) 9629 8388, Holiday Inn, Flinders St cnr Spencer St, Melbourne - Part of the Dragon Boat group near the Casino. Cantonese cuisine.
Dragon Boat Palace (03) 9639 0888, 149 Lonsdale St, Melbourne - This Dragon Boat Palace is known for functions, a lot of weddings and also special entertainment evenings.
Dragon Boat Restaurant (03) 9662 2733, 203 Little Bourke St, Melbourne - A large city Chinese restaurant which is open for suppers till 2am. It also does a daily yum cha.
Empress of China (03) 9663 1883, 120 Little Bourke St, Melbourne - The Empress is the grand old lady of Chinatown. It is famous for incredibly attentive service and consistently good, traditional food.
Flower Drum (03) 3846 1154, , 17 Market la, Melbourne - A magnificent production that has now to be saved for a special treat. It's so hard to get a seat at Flower Drum. So plan ahead to enjoy impeccable service, food and Cantonese style.
Hutong Dumpling Bar 9650 8128, 14-16 Market La, Melbourne
Kim Sing (03) 9654 7889, Shop 10-12, 232 Flinders St, Melbourne
Ling Nan Restaurant (03) 9663 2347, 204 Little Bourke St, Melbourne - Seafood is the speciality in this Cantonese cafe that's open until 3am. Big Chinese clientele.
Mask of China 9662 2116, , 115 Little Bourke St, Melbourne - Melbourne's only, and one of few in Australia, Chiu Chow restaurant is presided over bythe very professional Albert Chan.
Oriental Bistro (03) 9663 9080, 195 Exhibition St, Melbourne
Pepper Chilli (03) 9662 9662, 1st Floor, 85 Little Bourke St, Melbourne - Good Northern Chinese and Cantonese cuisine an a well run femine dining room. The restaurant is on the first floor.
Post Deng Cafe (03) 9663 9866, 214 Little Bourke St, Melbourne - Stripped bluestone walls is not the norm in Little Bourke St, nor are Post Deng's Sezchuan dishes.
Post-Mao Cafe (03) 9663 6003, 113 Little Bourke St, Melbourne
Shark Fin House (03) 9663 1555, 131 Little Bourke St, Melbourne - A busy place for Yum Cha, queues, at the door and around the lift to get to one of the three levels of dining. The quality and variety of the yum cha selection is excellent.
Shark Fin Inn (03) 9662 2681, 50 Little Bourke St, Melbourne - A long-standing favourite of the industry for supper. Most regulars do not consult the menu but ask Vanessa what are the best dishes.
Sung's Kitchen (03) 9329 2636, 118 Franklin St, Melbourne
Supper Inn 9663 4759, 15 Celestial Ave, Melbourne - Supper Inn feed everyone - Chinese restaurateurs, their children, rock stars, actors and the rest of us until 3am. It's a Melbourne institution and with good reason.
Teahouse At Chinatown (03) 9639 2526, 11 Cohen Pl, Melbourne - Another of Lawrence Tse's excellent Tea Houses. Good Food, fine service and an excellent wine list.
Westlake (03) 9663 4265, 189 Little Bourke St, Melbourne - A convenient place to meet and eat something quick in the centre of Chinatown.