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Chopstick Critic🥢

@chopstick.critic

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📍Melbourne, Australia 🇦🇺
Rating food with one rule: chopsticks only.
Honest bites. No forks given.

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

📍Dainty Sichuan Noodles, QV, Melbourne

🧾 On the menu
- Signature Chongqing Spicy Noodle with Braised Beef ($26.60)
- Stewed Beef with Rice ($18.80)
- Pork and Chives Dumplings ($17.80)

⭐️Rating: 4.1/5

💭Review:

If you love your spice, the Chongqing noodles are for you! 🌶️🍜 The noodles packed a punch, with a bold broth that delivered plenty of flavour. The braised beef was the perfect addition, with the tender and flavourful meat soaking up all that spicy goodness. A satisfying bowl for anyone who loves a bit of heat!

The dumplings did not hold back on the filling! 🤤 Generously packed with pork and chives, every bite was delicious and full of flavour. Definitely a great addition to the table if you’re a dumpling lover.🥟

The star of the show was the tender beef! 🥩 The meat was exceptionally soft, with very little excess fat, making each bite satisfying and easy to enjoy. Paired with rice, it was a comforting dish that let the quality and tenderness of the beef shine.

#melbournefoodblog #food #melbournefood #chinesecuisine #melbourne taken in QV Melbourne by @chopstick.critic

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10

5 days ago

📍Shanghai Village, Little Bourke St, Melbourne

🧾 On the menu
- Steamed Pork & Vegetable Dumplings (15 for $12)
- Shanghai Fried Noodles with Diced Chicken ($14.50)
- Sweet & Sour Pork Strips on Rice ($14.50)

⭐️Rating: 3.9/5

💭Review:
Good value for money!

This classic spot is perfect for anyone looking for a cheap and satisfying bite with uni friends or family.

The Shanghai fried noodles were salty and packed with that wok-fried flavour, while the sweet & sour pork came with a thick, sticky sauce that complemented the generous strips of pork. 🥢

But the dumplings were our favourite! 🥟 Packed with flavour and with a generous amount of filling, they were easily the highlight of the meal, especially at just $12 for 15!!!

While this isn’t the most outstanding Chinese food I’ve had, it definitely hits the spot and, with everything being reasonably priced, it’s a solid option for a casual and affordable meal in Chinatown. 🥡

#melbourne #melbournefoodblog #melbournefoodscene #chinatown #melbournechinesefood taken in Little Bourke Street, Melbourne by @chopstick.critic

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6

25 days ago

📍1915 Lanzhou Beef Noodles, Swanson St, Melbourne

🧾 On the menu
-Lanzhou Braised Lamb Dried Noodles ($22.90)

Meal Set D ($29.80)
- Lanzhou Braised Beef Soup Noodles
- Beef Cabbage Dumplings (Half Portion)

⭐️Rating: 4.5/5

💭Review:

Another solid hand-pulled noodle spot in the heart of Melbourne! 🍜

The braised beef was definitely the highlight for me, it was incredibly tender and juicy, with the meat practically falling apart as you bite into it. The rich, comforting broth paired really well with the beef and noodles, making it a really satisfying bowl.

The beef & cabbage dumplings were also a pleasant surprise. I usually gravitate towards pork dumplings, but these were packed with a generous, juicy meat filling and had a nice balance of savoury beef and cabbage.

The fried lamb noodles were packed with flavour and spice 🌶️, although do note that the lamb does contain a fair amount of fat so it’s something to keep in mind if you prefer leaner cuts.

Overall, a really satisfying meal and definitely worth checking out if you’re craving Lanzhou-style noodles!

Where should I go next for hand-pulled noodles in Melbourne?

#melbourne #melbournefoodblog #handpullednoodles #foodie #melbournefood taken in Swanston St., Melbourne CBD by @chopstick.critic

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8

a month ago

📍Hanaya Fusion Cafe, Elizabeth St, Geelong

🧾 On the menu
- Toufu Salad Bowl (18.80)
- Teriyaki Grilled Chicken Rice Bowl ($19.80)
- Curry Chicken Karaage Rice Bowl ($21.80)
- Mango Daifuku ($4.00)

⭐️Rating: 4.4/5

💭Review:
This little family-owned Japanese cafe tucked away on Elizabeth St is the perfect spot for a quick and delicious meal.

Everything we tried was made with incredibly fresh ingredients, and you could really taste the freshness in every bite making for a delicious and satisfying meal!
The portions are also very generous so you definitely won’t be leaving hungry!

The Teriyaki Chicken was tender and juicy while the Curry Chicken Karaage was crispy, golden and covered in a delicious curry sauce 🤤🍛

And of course, we had to finish with the Mango Daifuku which was soft, chewy and refreshingly sweet, making for the perfect little treat to end the meal 🥭

This is a hidden little spot with limited seating, and it fills up quickly! If you’re hoping to get a seat inside, I’d recommend coming a little earlier.

Overall, a fantastic little hidden gem for a comforting Japanese feed in Geelong 🇯🇵🍜

#japanesefood #melbournefoodblog #geelongbusiness #foodie #foodlover taken in Geelong, Victoria by @chopstick.critic

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9

a month ago

📍Master Lanzhou Noodle Bar, Swanson St, Melbourne

🧾 On the menu
- Special Beef Dry Noodle ($16.90)

⭐️Rating: 4.4/5

💭Review:
THICK. JUICY. CHEWY. 🤤

These hand-pulled noodles were seriously the perfect winter comfort food! The spicy, hearty broth was packed with flavour and had just the right amount of spice, while those super-thick noodles were pulled and cooked to absolute perfection.

The only little downside was that there was slightly less meat compared to some other hand-pulled noodle spots I’ve tried. BUT… the meat that was there was incredibly tender, juicy and loaded with flavour and literally melted in my mouth so I honestly couldn’t complain too much!

Overall, this bowl was pure comfort in a bowl and definitely hit the spot on a cold winter night. 🍜

#handpullednoodles #melbourne #melbournefoodblogger #melbournefoodscene #lanzhounoodles taken in Swanston St., Melbourne CBD by @chopstick.critic

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12

a month ago

📍Third Wave BBQ, Albert Park, Melbourne

🧾 On the menu
- BBQ Platter for 1 ($89.40)
- Birthday Menu Selections ⬇️ (ALL FREE)
- Spicy Chicken Wings ($14.40)
- Beef Ribs ($39.90)
- Pecan Pie ($16.90)

⭐️Rating: 4.3/5

💭Review:
A FREE 3-course birthday meal valued at $71.20 when you spend $51, which is fairly easy to hit considering the price of the meals.

You get to choose an entrée, main + dessert/side, so you’re not locked into a set menu and can pick exactly what you’re craving. 🙌

The meat was ridiculously tender 🤤 .The ribs were falling off the bone left, right and centre, the brisket practically melted in your mouth, and the cheese-stuffed kransky was juicy, smoky and packed with flavour.

The beef ribs were coated in a 9-spice dry rub, giving them an incredible depth of flavour. Everything was cooked beautifully, and even the fat on the meat was rendered so well that it was genuinely enjoyable to eat rather than something you wanted to cut away.

And it wasn’t just the meat that impressed. Even the simpler sides held their own, the waffle fries were crispy, perfectly seasoned and seriously moreish, while the slaw added a fresh, crunchy contrast to all that rich, smoky meat. 🥗🍟

One thing to keep in mind: while the meat here is some of the juiciest and most tender I’ve enjoyed, the regular menu prices are definitely on the higher side. So come prepared, because that bill can add up quickly! While this may not be your every Friday night takeout, it is definitely a fantastic option for special occasions!

🍪🥓 PSA: Third Wave are also currently running a promotion where you can DM them “COOKIE” and they’ll send you a voucher for 5 FREE Candy Banco cookies! Think an elevated choc-chip cookie, but with salty bacon candy cutting through the sweetness. Sounds questionable… tastes surprisingly good.

#melbournefoodblog #melbournefood #bbq #thirdwave #bbqmeat taken in Albert Park, Melbourne by @chopstick.critic

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12

a month ago

📍Biang! Biang!,Swanston St, Melbourne

🧾 On the menu
- Biang Biang Noodles with Spicy Beef ($18.80)
- Braised Beef Rib Biang Biang Chilli ($26.80)
- Biang Biang Noodles Topped with Chilli in Meat Sauce ($17.80)
- Chives and Pork dumplings in Hot and Sour Soup ($18.80)

⭐️Rating: 4.9/5

💭Review:
4 years later and this place is STILL sitting comfortably at my #1 spot for hand-pulled noodles in Melbourne 🥢🍜

The consistency here is honestly unmatched. The meat is always freshly cooked, incredibly tender, and practically falls apart in your mouth 🤤 and the noodles are hand-pulled to perfection with that perfect chewy texture.

My personal go-to has always been the Biang Biang Noodles with Spicy Beef 🌶️🍜. It’s the kind of hearty, comforting meal that hits differently on a cold winter day. It’s warm, spicy, chewy, and ridiculously satisfying flavours all in one bowl.

Whether you’ve never tried hand-pulled noodles before or you’re already a seasoned noodle lover, I genuinely can’t recommend the Biang Biang enough.

Add in the friendly staff and cozy atmosphere, and you’ve got yourself a spot I’ll keep coming back to for years. ❤️

#melbournefoodies #melbournefoodblogger #biangbiangnoodles #handpullednoodles taken in Swanston St., Melbourne CBD by @chopstick.critic

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2 months ago

📍 The Confectionist, Degraves St, Melbourne

🧾 On the menu
- Choc Peanut Butter Cookie ($6.50)

⭐️Rating: 4.5/5

💭Review:
🍪 PEANUT BUTTER OVERLOAD! 🥜

This was one BIG cookie which was generously packed with a creamy, gooey peanut butter centre that oozes out the second you bite into it! 😝

And if that wasn’t enough peanut butter already… it’s loaded with Reese’s Peanut Butter Chips too! This is an absolute peanut butter lover’s dream and honestly, I was OBSESSED!

The cookie itself was baked to perfection — not a single dry patch, but also definitely not undercooked. 🤌🏻

It was heated up fresh at the store and ready to eat… and let me tell you, this cookie was gone in about 5 seconds! 😂

I’ll definitely be back to try the other flavours because if they’re anything like this one, I’m in trouble!

Let me know where you think the best cookies in Melbourne?

#melbournefoodblog #melbournebakery #cookie #foodlover #food taken in Degraves Street, Melbourne by @chopstick.critic

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2 months ago

📍CDMX Taqueria, Melbourne Central

🧾 On the menu
- Beef Birria Taco (2 for $16 or 3 for $22)

⭐️Rating: 3/5

💭Review:
The meat was fresh and extremely tender, and it was great watching the taco being cooked right in front of us. The taco itself was absolutely oozing with flavourful juices, and the birria sauce on the side was a nice touch for dipping.

Unfortunately, the taco was extremely oily, which made the whole experience pretty greasy. Personally, after one or two bites, I was already finding it a bit too much. 😬

Another thing that stood out was the hygiene in the shop. The benches could definitely use some more attention, and I felt the hygiene practices when staff were handling food could be improved.

Overall, a decent taco with some great flavour and tender meat, but the oiliness and cleanliness took away from the experience.

🌮 Melbourne taco lovers comment below and tell me where I need to go for the BEST tacos in Melbourne!

#tacos #melbourne #melbournefoodscene #melbournefoodblog #mexicanfoodlover taken in CDMX by @chopstick.critic

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2 months ago

📍Jufu Garden, Geelong

🥟16 homemade steamed dumplings for just $17?! And you get to choose your filling — chicken, beef or pork!

These dumplings were packed to the brim with meat and practically ready to burst before they even reached my mouth 🤤

Fresh, juicy and absolutely loaded with flavour, here dumplings are serious value for money!

In this economy, a deal like this is CHEF’S KISS. 🤌

Would you smash all 16 of these? 👀😝

#food #foodreview #foodblogger #chinesefood #dumplings taken in Jufu Garden by @chopstick.critic

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15

2 months ago

📍Bowltiful Halal Lanzhou Handmade Noodles, Swanston St, Melbourne

🧾On The Menu
- Oil Spill Noodles with Stewed Beef Rin ($25.80)
- Dry Noodles with Braised Beef Shank ($23.80)
- Spicy Braised Tofu ($6.80)

⭐️ Rating: 4.8/5

💭Review:
ABSOLUTE PERFECTION!

The beef rib literally fell off the bone — unbelievably juicy, tender and packed with flavour. Paired with perfectly cooked wide noodles in a beautiful spicy, vinegary broth, this beef practically melted on my tongue. 🥩😝

The dry noodles with braised beef shank were just as impressive. The beef was incredibly tender, and you can choose your preferred noodle thickness — we went with the thick noodles, which were perfect. The sauce had the ideal balance of spicy and sweet, coating every noodle beautifully. 🍜

The spicy braised tofu was absolutely soaked in flavour, giving you a serious burst of flavour with every bite. Definitely one I’d recommend to both my vegetarian AND non-vegetarian friends.

The food came out in under 3 minutes after ordering, and the service was beyond exceptional. Just be prepared this place went from no line at all to a 20-person queue in the blink of an eye. 😳

CURRENT PROMO: They’re currently offering a FREE bowl of their signature bowl when you post a story or leave a review. Make sure to check out their page for the full terms & conditions!

#foodblogger #melbourne #melbournefoodscene #bowltifulnoodles #melbournefoodblog taken in Bowltiful Swanston St by @chopstick.critic

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10

2 months ago

📍China Bar, Swanston St, Melbourne

🧾On The Menu
- Shanghai Dumplings ($9.90 for 3)
- 2 Roast Combination meal, BBQ Pork & Roast Duck over dry noodles ($19.90)

⭐️ Rating: 4.5/5

💭Review:
The BBQ Pork was sweet, rich and packed with flavour, with the tender pork absorbing all of the delicious BBQ sauce.🐷

The dry noodles were easily some of the best I’ve had. They were cooked to perfection with a firm, chewy texture and an incredibly well-balanced flavour that made them seriously enjoyable. Simple in appearance, but definitely one of the highlights of the meal. 🍜😝

The Duck was crispy on the outside while remaining juicy and fatty on the inside, finished with a sweet glaze that complemented the meat beautifully. There were some bones throughout which made certain bites a little chewy, but the flavour was still delicious.🦆

The Xiao Long Bao had a good soup-to-filling ratio and a thick, satisfying wrapper. Although enjoyable, I would have preferred a little more soup inside typical to this dish.🥟🥟

The restaurant has a standard seating area with an open kitchen, and the space was clean throughout our visit. Staff were also friendly and welcoming, making for an enjoyable overall experience.

Which Chinese restaurant should I try next in Melbourne?

#food #melbourne #melbournefoodscene #melbournechinesefood #melbournefoodblogger taken in China Bar Swanston Street by @chopstick.critic

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26

2 months ago