The best places to eat in Box Hill, the food capital of southeast Melbourne
WHERE to get the best breakfast, bun, dumplings and Peking duck in this buzzing, Asian food mecca.
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WANDER around Box Hill central on any given evening and you could just as easily be in the middle of Melbourne’s bustling China Town.
Everywhere you look there are queues of diners spilling out of restaurants onto busy sidewalks, hungry and waiting to feast on the endless array of authentic Asian gastronomy.
Devoted dumpling aficionados flock to Station Street’s David & Camy for their fill of xiao long bao (steamed, Shanghai-style soup dumplings), while Kitchen Republik caters to congee enthusiasts.
If Korean barbecue is your thing then Box Hill has all the crispy fried chicken you could ever dream of or, if you prefer the fresh, clean flavours of Vietnamese food, you’ll be spoiled pho choice. From gyoza and mee goreng to banh mi and bulgoggi, the myriad open-late eateries cater to tastebuds of all Asian persuasions.
But it’s not all bibimap and broken rice; Box Hill is also home to one of the best produce markets in the south east, as well as cafes, cheese tart stalls and dessert bars.
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So, if you like your food fast, fresh, affordable and full of flavour, here are 15 of Box Hill’s best eateries — and what to eat when you get there.
Tien Dat
3 Carrington Road, Box Hill
This packed-out, two-storey powerhouse is a Box Hill institution. The rambunctious Vietnamese bistro is known far and wide for its bun (vermicelli salads) and bo la lot (grilled, ground beef wrapped in betel leaves), but it’s the house spring rolls — or cha gio — for which it is most famous. The pork and shrimp parcels have the perfect balance of pastry to filling, the rice paper wrappers making them extra light, crispy and golden. Tien Dat is clean, light and largely gluten free-friendly fare.
Miss Saigon Pho Kitchen
Central Pl, Box Hill
If you’re a fiend for pho, this Box Hill newcomer is fast becoming the suburb’s go-to soup ladler. Don’t be fooled by its contemporary fitout, despite the modern styling this popular addition has a mouthwateringly traditional menu boasting pretty much every pho combination imaginable, such as sliced rare Wagyu beef, beef and brisket, special chicken, sliced beef and beef balls, and seafood. The beef and tendon — with its subtle hints star anise and cinnamon — is a must-try. Miss Saigon also offers a lengthy selection of Vietnamese drinks. Do yourself a favour and try the custard apple smoothie or the iced lychee.
May the pho be with you.
Indochine Vietnamese Restaurant
51 Carrington Road, Box Hill
When it comes to fusion favourites, this Asian all-rounder is the place to get around all the flavours. Indochine is known for plating classic Vietnamese hits, as well as a selection of Malaysian, Thai and Chinese-influenced dishes, meaning the Box Hill stalwart offers something for everyone. The authentic eatery has made a name for itself as the home of banh hoi (chargrilled skewers) and Vietnamese crepes (banh xeo).
Hokkaido Baked Cheese Tark Kiosk
Box Hill Central, 1 Main Street, Box Hill
The uber-famous Hokkaido Baked Cheese Tart recently landed in Australia and has quickly become the latest ‘it’ food to dominate social media — and the Box Hill food scene. The cheesy treat first launched in Malaysia in mid-last year, where it was an instant hit, and the legendary Hokkaido Baked Cheese Tart stores now sell up to 20,000 tarts per day. The baked beauty is made using a traditional recipe from Japan’s dairy heartland, Hokkaido island, and has a rich creaminess and distinct savoury/sweet taste. They are baked daily on site using three different types of cheese, making it a seriously more-ish work of tart.
Zab Thai
1132 Riversdale Road, Box Hill
It might not be on the menu, but this crispy pork belly with Chinese broccoli, steamed rice and a fried egg (pad kana moo krob) is pretty much the house special at Box Hill’s Zab Thai. It’s worth the trip just to try it.
Kitchen Rebublik
Box Hill Central, 1 Main Street
This hawker-style eatery brings together kitchens from across Asia to offer diners a taste of everything. The steamed white truffle dumplings are a must-try, as is the spring onion wrap with soy-marinated beef. But if you’re after the ultimate comfort food, you can’t go past a big bowl of minced pork congee with preserved egg. All day breakfast, Southeast Asia style? Yes, please.
Roast Duck Inn
29-31 Carrington Road, Box Hill
This longstanding, family-run establishment is all about the Cantonese rotisserie-style roast meats. We’re talking roast duck, soy sauce chicken, crispy-skinned roast pork and sweet barbecue roast pork. In keeping with Chinese tradition, these superbly succulent roasts are served atop rice with stir-fried greens on the side.
Simon’s Peiking Duck Restaurant
197B Middleborough Rd, Box Hill South
Simon’s might just be in contention for Melbourne’s best Peking duck and has been drawing devoted duck devourers to its Middleborough Road restaurant for years. It is best known for its duck set menus that use the whole bird across several dishes, such as duck skin, duck pancakes, stir fried noodles with duck meat, and duck bone broth. But it’s not just the meals that make this place so loveable. Owner, Simon, is as much a part of the dining experience as the food itself. Be sure to book because there is no such thing as a quiet night at this bustling eatery.
Vegie Hut Vegetarian
984 Whitehorse Road, Box Hill
Vegans and vegetarians rejoice; this Box Hill haunt has the finest selection of plant-based and mock-meat meals in the area. If it’s purely vegetable options you’re after, Vegie Hut has got them in spades, and if it’s mock meat you’re craving, then prepare yourself for a tasty faux-beast feast. Feeling game? Try the satay ‘chicken’ skewers or ‘shark fin’ soup. The curry laksas are also a popular choice.
Dainty Sichuan Food
Level 1, 2A Cambridge Street, Box Hill
This suburban outpost from popular South Yarra restaurant Dainty Sichuan — pioneers of the Sichuan food scene in Melbourne — is spicing things up with its signature Chongqing hot pots. The interior of the first-floor walk-up boasts traditional decor, with Chinese paintings and paraphernalia adorning the walls. If you’re after a hot date, make this your go-to. The double-flavour soups (abalone and black chicken is a favourite) will blow your mind. You’ll also want to try the spicy BBQ pork ribs and cold Sichuan noodles in black vinaigrette with chilli oil sauce and spicy peanut topping.
Penang Inn Restaurant
1031A Whitehorse Road, Box Hill
It’s all about the beef rendang at this authentic Malaysian eatery. Try it with coconut steamed rice for a bit of added indulgence. Their five-spice pork rolls (lor bak) are a crispy treat, while the house-made sambal packs a punch. Try the sambal calamari if you’re after something a little more fresh and feisty.
David & Camy Dumpling & Noodle Restaurant
605 Station St, Box Hill
This Box Hill dumpling institution has been around for years and still remains as popular as ever. It’s not much to look at inside, but who cares when the food is fast, fresh, delicious and generously portioned. The chilli oil dumplings are where it’s at but the hot spicy chicken rice is also worth a taste. Get there before 7pm to avoid the queues.
Grain Asian Cafe + Dessert Bar
Box Hill Central, Main Street, Box Hill
Fresh, flaky egg tarts are the staple from this Box Hill Central cafe-come-dessert bar. And at $2 a pop, it’s pretty easy to see why. Grain Asia Dessert Bar has a robust selection of Hong Kong-inspired pastries that will take you straight back to the streets of China. The cashew and taro pastry is another worthy calorie buster.
Box Hill Central Fresh Food Market
Box Hill Central, Main Street, Box Hill
Box Hill Central is home to one of the country’s oldest and most authentic Asian produce markets. It first opened in 1895 and became part of the shopping centre when it was developed in 1987. As well as butchers, bakers, fishmongers and all the fresh produce you could ever dream of (Chinese asparagus, anyone?), the market also houses a traditional herbalist, delicatessen and fresh noodle bar. And, as part of the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival (March 31-April 9), you’re invited on a culinary market tour to learn how to cook with some of beautiful, fresh ingredients on offer. Local chefs will be joined by well-known celebrity guests to present a series of cooking demonstrations exploring the exotic, eclectic and intricate flavours of Asia. Click here for details.
Umaido
Box Hill Central, Food Court, 1 Main Street, Box Hill
Hawaiian poke bowls might be the big thing at the moment, but before poke it was all about the chirashi bowl. For the uninitiated, chirashi bowls — a Japanese staple — are essentially deconstructed sushi. They feature all the good stuff — rice, fish, sauce and a bunch of mix ins, such as avocado — only they come in a bowl instead of a roll. Umaido, in Box Hill, has the chirashi scene covered. The salmon chirashi bowl is on point. Pair it with some tempura shrimp maki (which looks like a naked sushi roll) and you’re all set.