Chocolate Buddha

Ph: (03) 9654 5688; Federation Square, 2 Swanston St, MELBOURNE 3000 www.chocolatebuddha.com.au

japanese, $
Open 7 days noon-late; Licensed; AE DC MC V EFT; No bookings
Chef Hiroko Land (7-11-07) Owner Angela Mathioudakis & George Incretolli (7-11-07)

Mietta's Review
Casual, Australian/Japanese dining at a frantic pace. Set at the top of the slope at Federation Square, the menu is based on home-style ramen noodle and donburi rice dishes. With many Buddahs watching on, tables are communal, and you and your meal are a number, which is fine for the sake of expediency. The master computer ordering system seems to find you every time, with a delicious bowl full of steaming, broth-soaked organic and locally grown meat, fish and vegetables. There are some great teas on the list too, Buddah's Tears is recommended. Paul Mathis, co-creator of Blue Train and Automatic has graduated from bowls of fries to bring us wholesome gems such as this and Soulmamma in St Kilda, and the soon to be realised Transport at Federation Square. Food prices are reasonable, the wine list is as expensive as it is limited.

Other published opinions

The Age Cheap Eats 2008 "The byword is 'big' at Chocolate Buddha where a battalion of staff squeezes a constant throng onto packed communal benches"

Age Good Food Guide 2008 Score: 13/20 "The row of Buddhas gazing down on the multicoloured communal dining room may be the only entities in a state of serene repose here, where the fast pace rarely slackens"

The Age Cheap Eats 2007 "Back in the day when Fed Square was still a talking point, Paul Mathis' concept of ethical, clean, green food was as fresh as a crunchy bean sprout. Now, the palm-pilot formula has been thoroughly stamped across Melbourne but 'meet you at Chocolate Buddha' is still a common catchcry."

The Age Cheap Eats 2006 it's a glorified cafeteria, but it is pretty darned glorious. While the atmosphere is frenetic and the waitstaff can be harried and humourless, the Buddha chefs calmly send out clean, organic Japanese dishes

Herald Sun Bob Hart 26/3/05 "On balance, I found the place to be so effective in achieving its objectives that had I spotted Siddharta himself at an adjacent table, signing menus, I would have been less than astonished. ... And after two and a half years, a facelift, and a new emphasis on sushi and sashimi, it is at the top of its game."

The Age Cheap Eats 2005 "LIKE Fed Square itself, diners are divided on the hype that surrounds Chocolate Buddha. But whatever your opinion on techno ordering systems and whistlestop waitrons, the Buddha continues to pull crowds"

The Age Cheap Eats 2004 "a buzzy space inspired by Japanese canteens. It's the location, bustling vibe and organic focus that have made this place a heartbeat within the new arts precinct."

The Foodies' Guide 2004,Allan Campion & Michele Curtis,'Lunch here is just about as good as it gets.A big bowl of slurpy noodles,with quality ingrediants,fast service and an innovative drinks list.'

The Age Cheap Eats 2004,Somewhere we can highly recommend,'It's the location,bustling with vibe and organic focus than have made this place a heartbeat within the new arts precinct.Side dishes are good accompaniments to Yebisu beer or a bloody mary sake cocktail.Noodle and rice mains lack the finesse of the side orders,and the service,although technologically advanced,could do with a dose of care and flexibility.'

AGFG 2004, score 13/20, wide selection of vegetarian dishes, two courses for $25 or less

The Age, A2, 29/11/03, Melinda Houston,'Fed Square's best bang for the buck is at this pumping Japanese-style diner.'

Herald Sun, Weekend, 13/12/03, Donna Coutts,'Best Cafes' A terrific eating experience.Fresh and fun. Looks good, tastes good, makes you feel good.'

VE+T, March April 2003,'a Japanese-inspired communal dining specialising in ramen and donburi'

The Age, Sunday Life, Eat Streets, Dani Valent, 22/6/03. "Join the throng at Paul Mathis's Japan-esque ramen noodle and donburi rice bar for organic beef and noodle soup and teriyaki eel on rice.

Cheap Eats 2003, Noodle Dish of the Year - Miso-ramen-tori.

Saturday Age, A2, Food & Wine, 10/5/03, John Weldon. Based around Japanese dining, the portions are of a huge size and only locally grown, organic and free-range meats are used. Donburi dishes also come with miso soup on the side.

SMH, Good Living, 25/3/03, Matthew Evans. One of the best picks of Melbourne's new eating opportunities.

Herald Sun, citystyle, Shared Experiences, 25/3/03, Michael Harden. Great for communal dining.

Herald Sun, sundaymagazine, dining, Graham Pearce, 2003, Score 6/10. Japanese themed serving very good dishes, especially the gyoza (dumplings). The overall package needs some fine tuning.