Instagram story viewer> @mashi_soyo> Posts

𝒮𝒽𝑒𝓇𝓎𝓁

@mashi_soyo

550

posts

5.5K

followers

3525

following

Melbourne foodie 🇦🇺• 500+ restaurants reviewed 🍽️
Organiser of @frequent.diners.australia
WSET L2 🍷 • Food & Drinks Guide📍
Open for collabs & events 🤝

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

Download All

Brunswick has been quietly doing it better than most and these four spots prove it.

📍Good Days · Modern Vietnamese
Not your traditional Viet spot, elevated and modernised in the best way. Sleek interior, open kitchen, you can see all the action. The chicken wings had this zingy, sweet, umami chilli glaze that was seriously addictive. Double fried so you know it passes the crunch test. The broken rice chicken was juicy, nicely charred, full of flavour. Didn’t expect spring onion mayo but it works perfectly. The beef pho is clean, clear broth with two cuts of beef. Perfect winter food.
⭐ Must order: Fried Chicken Wings, Chicken Broken Rice

📍Tofu Shoten · Japanese Takeaway
Far more creative than you’d expect. Tofu donuts, tofu nuggets, soy tiramisu, inventive soy-based everything. The tofu donut is my all time favourite. Both sesame and kinako, pillowy inside, golden crispy outside. The kuzu mochi is quietly brilliant too. Takeaway only, get there early.
⭐ Must order: Tofu Donut

📍Walrus · American Diner
Always a queue and they absolutely live up to the hype. The pancakes stole my heart, crispy, fluffy, buttery with blueberry and maple syrup. Every bite was a joy. Charming retro interior, felt like I was transported to America.
⭐ Must order: Blueberry Pancakes

📍Disciple Roasters · Specialty Coffee
They take their coffee seriously and it shows. Split into a black coffee only area and a white coffee only area. Served in handmade ceramics with great attention to detail. Extensive list that will satisfy even the biggest coffee snobs.
⭐ Must order: Ask what’s on filter

↩️ Would return
💚 Self-paid visits
💌Save this for your next Brunswick visit

@gooddays_vietnamese
@tofushoten
@walrusmelbourne
@discipleroasters

#mashisoyo #foodguide #travelguide #brunswick taken in Brunswick, Victoria by @mashi_soyo

3

20

a month ago

📍Korean Restaurants in Melbourne I’d Revisit 🇰🇷
Part 1
Not every restaurant becomes a repeat visit, but these Korean spots genuinely stood out for quality, flavour and overall experience. Here are places I’d happily go back to again.

🍲 Ondam | Traditional Korean A spacious restaurant with an extensive menu ranging from fried chicken and sashimi to soups and hot pots. Portions were generous and side dishes were refillable with great variety. The beef short rib jeongol was flavourful and well balanced, while the fried chicken was crispy and juicy.
⭐ Must order: Beef Short Rib Jeongol & Fried Chicken

🥩 Bornga | KBBQ Still one of my top KBBQ spots in Melbourne. Meat quality was excellent across every cut, especially the Wagyu which was tender and buttery. The seafood pancake completely stole the show, thick yet crispy outside and fluffy inside. Generous refillable side dishes and a great variety overall. Only downside is the 1.5-hour seating limit.
⭐ Must order: Wagyu Kkot Sal & Seafood Pancake

🥡 The Wokkers | Korean-Chinese A hidden gem in Box Hill for Korean-Chinese food. Portions were massive and perfect for sharing. The Spicy Jeng-Ban Jajang was rich, slightly sweet with a nice kick and seriously addictive. Tangsuyuk was crispy without feeling heavy.
⭐ Must order: Spicy Jeng-Ban Jajang & Tangsuyuk

🍣 Cheong Chun Sushi | Japanese-Korean Always busy but worth the wait. Fresh seafood, huge menu and very generous servings. The Mak Hwe was refreshing and well balanced, and their katsu was crispy, light and juicy.
⭐ Must order: Mak Hwe & Katsu

🍻 Seven Star Pocha | Pocha A solid spot when you’re after late-night eats with friends. Portions are generous, the menu is huge and the lively pocha atmosphere makes it great for group hangouts. Their K-Town location stays open until 3am, which makes it a reliable option after a night out.
⭐ Must order: Spicy Stir Fried Squid, Cheese Egg Roll

Saving this list might help for your next Korean food night 👀 Part 2 coming soon

#mashisoyo #melbourneeats #melbournefoodguide #koreanfood #koreanfoodie taken in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia by @mashi_soyo

3

33

5 months ago

Korean Restaurants I’d Revisit 🇰🇷 Pt. 2
Melbourne’s Korean food scene never disappoints. Four more spots worth adding to your list.

📍 Mr Lee’s Foods · Ringwood
A small menu of six traditional Korean pork dishes and that’s all it needs. The soups here are the closest thing to Korea I’ve found in Melbourne. Clean broth, no gamey taste, generous with the meat and soon dae. Rice and side dishes come with every bowl so it’s a proper meal without ordering extra. The Jokbal is not to be missed.
✨ Must order: Jokbal and pork soup

📍 Mansae Korean BBQ · Burwood/ City
One of my favourite KBBQ spots in Melbourne and the meat quality is the reason why. The wagyu is succulent and well marbled every single time and the marinated meats hit that balance where the sweetness never overpowers the meat itself.
✨ Must order: Yukhoe and Yangnyeom galbi

📍 Dodam · Brunswick East
This one feels different the moment you walk in. The furniture and dining ware were brought directly from Korea and you feel it. The pork dishes are tender and full of flavour, the spicy braised short ribs are rich and deeply satisfying. But the unexpected highlight was the seaweed noodles! Refreshing, full of umami and not something you see often.
✨ Must order: Spicy braised short ribs and Pork Belly & Neck

📍 Seoul Society · Hawthorn
Not gatekeeping this one any longer. Hearty, authentic Korean comfort food with a small but well thought out menu. Set meals come with a main and a spread of house made side dishes. Queue is real so go early or be patient. Worth it either way.
✨ Must order: Hot stone bibimbap and samgyetang

Save this for your next Korean food night
📌 Part 3 coming — drop a comment with your favourite Korean spot and I’ll check it out 👇

#mashisoyo #melbournefoodblog #melbournefoodguide #koreanfood taken in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia by @mashi_soyo

3

30

4 months ago

📍Attica @atticamelbourne
$385pp for my birthday dinner at Melbourne’s finest restaurant. Was it worth it?

I left full enough to take my dessert home in a box, and I can promise you won’t need a Macca’s run after. Attica doesn’t chase fancy ingredients, it chases the land. Ants, emu, crocodile all make an appearance across the tasting menu, and somehow none of it feels like a gimmick.

The crocodile tart was the standout. Brined and baked, finished with honey, finger lime, and pepperleaf. The croc was tender with just enough chewiness that you’d never guess what it was if no one told you. The tart shell was textbook perfect.

Midway through the menu we were led out to the “magic garden” for the magic mushroom course, red choux pastry filled with mushroom parfait, rainforest cherry jam and wattleseed biscuit. The dish landed, the garden itself felt more playground than forest. A few real plants would go a long way.

Favourite dessert of the night was the Iced Strawberries with Anise Myrtle Cream, prepared tableside with shaved ice finished over the top. I loved the contrast, shaved ice against a silky cold cream, just the right amount of sweetness balanced with tartness and a soft caramel note underneath.

The wine pairing did what good pairings rarely do, actually complemented every course, and leaned local more often than not, which felt right for a menu built entirely around Australian produce.

A lot of the courses lean finger food, and they’re bigger than you’d expect, which got a little messy at times. I would have loved something more elegant for a restaurant at this level.

The service was warm and accommodating throughout, the kind that makes a five hour dinner feel easy rather than long.

💌Save this for your next special occasion
💚 Self-paid visit taken in Attica by @mashi_soyo

3

15

4 days ago

📍 Swatow Cafe @swatow_cafe

My grandparents are from Teochew, so this cuisine has always felt close to home, A few dishes stood out to me. The Teochew braised duck was nice, tender duck in a lovely lou shui sauce, the tofu had soaked up all that flavour beautifully. My favourite though was the sacha sauce beef, tender beef in a rich sacha sauce that tasted just like the one back in HK. The white pepper pork stomach soup was packed with ingredients and properly peppery, deeply comforting on a cold day. Water spinach with bean sauce was cooked to perfection. The pan-fried hairtail was a special that day, like salted fish, the perfect pair with congee. They also bring out free steamed cake, fruits and Teochew style kung fu tea, a lovely touch.
Flavours were solid and portions were generous.

⭐ Sacha Sauce Beef w/ Chinese Broccoli $35.8 ⭐ Teochew Braised Duck w/ Tofu & Egg $38.8 ⭐ White Pepper Pork Stomach Soup $13.8pp Stir-fried Water Spinach $33.8 Pan-fried Hairtail (Special) Fried Dace Fish Balls $32.8 Plain Porridge

✨ Must order: Sacha Sauce Beef, Braised Duck, Pork Stomach Soup 📍 Would return when in the area 💚 Invite — all opinions are my own
Tag your friends for the next Chinese banquet dinner 🍽️ taken in Kew, Victoria by @mashi_soyo

3

18

6 days ago

📍 Pho Gia Truyen 49A Bat Dan 🇻🇳🍜

The Hanoi icon, on the Michelin Bib Gourmand guide for years, just opened its first overseas franchise in Melbourne. I went on a Monday at 4pm, queued 45 minutes, and would happily do it again.
The broth is what tells me everything. Limpid, well balanced, no MSG heaviness weighing it down, I didn’t reach for water once after finishing the bowl. The noodles hit that exact bite I’m always chasing. The beef and brisket pho is the one I’d order again, the beef so tender it borders on unctuous. The chicken pho holds its own too, clean and quietly comforting.
The springrolls are a different animal, packed tight, fried to order, crackling on the outside. I can’t fault a single thing on this table.

Would you wait 45 mins for a bowl of pho?

✨ Must order: Rare beef and brisket pho & Hanoi Springrolls
🫶Would 100% come back
💚 Self-paid visit

@phobatdanaus taken in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia by @mashi_soyo

3

36

11 days ago

Korean Restaurants in Melbourne I’d Revisit — Part 3 🇰🇷

It’s been a while since Part 2, but these four have been on repeat in my mind since. A couple of these are perfect for winter too. Save this one for your next Korean craving.

📍 YMONE Haejanggook, Glen Waverley · Traditional Korean

Warm, comforting gukbap spot with queues even on weeknights and it’s worth the wait every time. I’d highly recommend the spicy pork bone soup, flavourful and a generous portion. There’s a regular pork gukbap too if you’re not into spice. The perilla and chive pancake was delicious, crispy but not greasy, and honestly one of the few places doing perilla pancakes in Melbourne.

⭐ Mashisoyo Pick: Spicy Pork Bone Soup, Perilla Chive Pancake w/Pork

📍 YMONE Haejanggook, Glen Waverley · Traditional Korean

Warm, comforting gukbap spot with queues even on weeknights and it’s worth the wait every time. I’d highly recommend the spicy pork bone soup, flavourful and a generous portion. There’s a regular pork gukbap too if you’re not into spice. The perilla and chive pancake was delicious, crispy but not greasy, and honestly one of the few places doing perilla pancakes in Melbourne.

⭐ Mashisoyo Pick: Spicy Pork Bone Soup, Perilla Chive Pancake w/Pork

📍 Sogumm, Cremorne · Korean Temple Cuisine

One of my top spots in Melbourne. Changhoon and Suhyun Kim’s take on Korean temple food, elevated, small menu, premium produce and real technique, nothing on it wasted. I got the Wagyu Yukhoe Bibimbap, beef, pear, lettuce and rice all tied together by the ganjang chilli sauce, proper balance in every bite. Gomtang was generous with the meat and the broth was some of the cleanest I’ve had, perfect winter food. Hobak-Saeu Jeon rounded it out, crispy zucchini and potato pancake with real texture. Loved the fermented shrimp on the side too, might not be for everyone but I liked it. Lovely interior, great lunch spot.

⭐ Mashisoyo Pick: Wagyu Yukhoe Bibimbap, Gomtang, Hobak-Saeu Jeon

📍 Sogumm, Cremorne · Korean Temple Cuisine

One of my top spots in Melbourne. Changhoon and Suhyun Kim’s take on Korean temple food, elevated, small menu, premium produce and real technique, nothing on it waste taken in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia by @mashi_soyo

3

31

24 days ago

You guys loved the last Brunswick guide, so here’s the East side follow up.

📍 Old Palm Liquor @oldpalmliquor
Cozy, laidback, 10/10 vibes with a beautiful courtyard. The wood fired flatbread, so fluffy I could’ve eaten ten, paired with the labneh, is a must order. Their wine list is impressive too, run by the same team behind Neighbourhood Wine. Perfect for a date night or a big group.
✨ Must order: Wood fired flatbread with labneh

📍 Kura @kuramelbourne
My go to Japanese restaurant for perfectly charred skewers over binchotan. The wood fired edamame is smoky and beautifully seasoned, and the unagi is my all time favourite. Excellent sake list too, with rare labels like IWA, Aramasa and Juyondai.
✨ Must order: Unagi yakitori, Edamame, Black Opal Wagyu Scotch Fillet, Pickled Cherry Tomato

📍 Charrd @charrdbk
Tried the Charrd Single ($16), currently ranked 15th best burger in the world. The patty is charred and juicy, the truffle aioli and chilli jam are sublime. It’d be a perfect burger if there was less sauce.
✨ Must order: Charrd Single/ Double

📍 Eat Pierogi Make Love @eatpierogimakelove
Haven’t had much Polish food before, but every dish here is a winner, especially the pierogi. They do AYCE Pierrogi Night every Monday. Also try the polish donut and herring tartare. Their vodka list is extensive, walk in only.
✨ Must order: Ruskie Pierogi, Pack Z Pasztetem

Save this for your next Brunswick East crawl
💚 Self-paid visits

#mashisoyo #melbournedoodguide #brunswickeast taken in Brunswick East, Victoria by @mashi_soyo

3

32

a month ago

Cutler & Co ran a winter solstice dinner last Wednesday. $190 set menu, corkage included. If they do this again, don’t think twice.

📍 Cutler · Fitzroy · Modern Australian
The concept is simple: bring a bottle you’ve been saving. No corkage, no stress about glassware or decanters, just show up with something good.
9 of us, 14 bottles, every single one a banger. The food was stunning from start to finish: soft chewy focaccia to open, yellowfin tuna toast, caviar tart, King George whiting, duck, dry aged rib eye and a tarte tatin that finished the night perfectly. We added the jamon, cheese and the donuts. The donuts are light, warm and fluffy. The crème fraîche and salmon roe take it somewhere else entirely. Non-negotiable.
This is exactly the kind of event Melbourne needs more of. Hope they bring it back.

↩️ Would return
🍷Tag someone you’d raid your cellar for.
💌Save this for when they announce the next one.
💚 Self-paid visit

@cutlerandco taken in Cutler by @mashi_soyo

3

6

a month ago

I’m not gatekeeping this 🥟

📍 Hualu Peking Duck · Melbourne CBD · Chinese

Recently went for yum cha and their dim sum is all fresh made. Look at the variety — classic har gow, tender beef tripe, flaky egg tart, prawn rice rolls.

And the Peking duck? One of the best I’ve had. That juice dripping, skin super glossy and crispy. I love eating the skin with sugar.

Since Dragon Boat Festival is around the corner, they’re also doing Zongzi, both savoury and sweet. Don’t miss out.

✨ Must order: Peking duck, Zongzi
↩️ Would return

🤍 Invited visit — all opinions are my own

#mashisoyo #pekingduck #yumcha #melbournefoodguide taken in Hua Lu Peking Duck by @mashi_soyo

3

37

a month ago

Did you know you can enjoy a proper Korean royal feast in Melbourne now?

📍 Boseong · Blackburn · Korean
A hanjeonsik experience — a traditional full-course Korean royal feast, served with more banchan and kimchi than you can count. Two set menus to choose from: Traditional at $88pp or Signature at $128pp.
The banchan and kimchi are all made in-house and taste completely authentic. My favourite was the squid side dish, not something you see on every Korean menu.

We had the Signature set and left absolutely stuffed, more than enough food for two. The tteokgalbi isn’t included but if you’re on the Traditional set, it’s worth adding on. So juicy, great flavour, with fried rice cake on the side.

A solid experience overall. The spread is generous and the setting feels special. The food is decent, so come for the experience rather than expecting every dish to blow you away.

💸💸💸 $88pp $128pp
📍 Worth visiting for the experience

Would you try a Korean royal feast? Drop a comment below!
🤍 Invited visit, all opinions are my own

@boseong_melbourne

#mashisoyo #hanjeongsik #korean #kimchi taken in Blackburn, Victoria, Australia by @mashi_soyo

3

33

a month ago

New bars, no gatekeeping 🍸

📍 Bar Ferdinand · CBD · Botanical cocktail bar

Located on Level 1 of a heritage-listed 1885 building on Alfred Place. Just 21 seats. Drinking here feels like wandering through a botanical garden after dark. The cocktail menu moves through seasonal produce and botanicals reinterpreting classics. And the menu itself deserves a mention: hard cover, botanical drawings, paper with actual texture. The attention to detail is next level. I had the Eucalypt with nashi pear wine. The most refreshing drink of the night. The snack list also looks interesting. Would order the German pretzel and wagyu pot pie with other cocktails next time.
✨ Must order: The Eucalypt

📍 Bar Kaeru · CBD · Sake bar

I was going to gatekeep this, but I can’t. Over 100 sakes to choose from. Did I say they pour Aramasa too? U-shape bar, vinyl on all night, the vibe is 10/10. First timer? Don’t worry. Sean guides you through every pour and the Asian fusion izakaya menu means you can make a full night of it. One of the best sake bars in Melbourne and not enough people know about it yet.
✨ Must order: Ask Sean for recommendations, I personally love the Abe

📍 Triple U Bar · Fitzroy · Asian-inspired cocktails

This one is a genuine find. Sesame, pandan, daikon, osmanthus… the flavour creativity here is something else. It’s a café by day and a cocktail bar by night, tucked into Fitzroy. Whether you’re drinking solo or with a group, the cosy space works for both. The crowd favourite is the Seaweed and Pandan Ramos. Think HeyTea cheese foam tea, but make it a cocktail. My pick was the Pink Hazelnut: nutty, tangy, sweet, beautifully balanced. Nothing here tastes like anything else in the city.
✨ Must order: Seaweed & Pandan Ramos, Pink Hazelnut

↩️ Would return to all three

Save this and send to a friend who needs a new bar 🍸

💚 All self-paid visits — all opinions are my own

@bar.ferdinand
@bar_kaeru
@tripleu.mel taken in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia by @mashi_soyo

3

15

2 months ago