Oriental Spoon
Phone +613 9654 9930
I really like Oriental Spoon, but then you may have guessed my particular penchant for Korean cuisine. The place exudes a vibe that reminds me somewhat of an energetic puppy - boisterous, youthful, refreshing and just oh so happy to please. The venue is airy and ultra modern, a good use of decor and interior design. The staff are fresh faced and ever so helpful, clothed in bright funky polo tops. And the food - well, let’s just say it certainly won’t disappoint on any level - freshness, quantity, authenticity and price.
Above is a the artfully presented tofu and seafood hotpot, sitting atop a portable cooker that makes this meal delightfully interactive. Under the pile of sliced zucchini, enoki and button mushrooms, spring onions, chinese cabbage etc. are huge blocks of silken tofu and an assortment of seafood; prawns, mussels, fish slices and calamari. In the middle of the pot is a huge spoonful of gochujang (I think), which is a spicy red chilli paste that acts to flavour the broth. As you stir the paste into the bubbling and boiling stock, the liquid turns a shade of fear inducing red. A sniff of the vapours will set both your eyes and nose running, and after every sweat gland has kicked into overdrive trying to cool your rising body temperature, well, you might be lucky enough to have the use of your tastebuds again and realise that this is a beautifully flavoured dish. Mmm.
Along with the hotpot you receive the requisite bowls of assorted banchan/kimchi and steamed rice. Then it is a matter of digging in with your ladle and chopsticks, and ferreting out all the sunken treasure. This “small pot” is certainly sufficient for 2 to 3 hungry people, or 4 not so hungry people.
On another visit we sampled the seafood pancake. It had the okonomiyaki’s about it, but didn’t follow the cabbage route. So it was tender and tasty with slivers of spring onion, prawn, scallop and fish slices in batter. Presented ever so nicely as a grid on a wooden chopping board, it was further accompanied by a cabbage salad (see…it make an appearance somewhere) with a tomato and mayo dressing, and a light dipping sauce.
We also sampled the jjin mandu, or steamed dumplings (quick digression - read a fabulous entry about Korean dumplings at Kitchenwench). Whilst they didn’t look the business (ie. perfectly formed/crimped), they did taste the business.
Yak Gae Jang, a spicy beef soup, was slightly different in taste to what I’ve had previously, but still a good version.
Finally, a classic bulgogi, on this occasion made with squid instead of beef. It was sweetly salty/smoky/hot, and perfect when partnered with steamed rice and some cooling kimchi (and an Asahi beer ;-)).
Oriental Spoon is well patronised by the local student population, who demand cheap and cheerful feeds in a bright funky venue. And this certainly doesn’t dissapoint. I’m following them on this one for sure.
Written by mellie on
March 3rd, 2007 | Tags: Korean, restaurants | Category: Uncategorized
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March 5th, 2007 at 11:56 am
Hi Mellie, thanks for commenting at my blog. Nice to know at least one person reads it and cares enough to comment.
Secondly, you have a great blog here, can’t believe I never knew about it. I’ve added it to my links list now and will be checking it out regularly.
The fact that you have a huge list of Melbourne blogs is great. I will try to visit as many of them to see which are good. It’s nice to read about food from other states, but when you read about a restuarant that you can actually go to if you think its really good, then that’s even better.
Just like this Korean restaurant. It looks quite good. I love the pancakes being served on a wooden board. Is it better than Kimchi Grandma? I compare all Korean restaurants to Kimchi Grandma since they have many franchises and a certain level of food quality. They aren’t the best, but aren’t the worse either.
March 5th, 2007 at 12:13 pm
Ok, I’ve just quickly browsed through the archives and its definitely good to find a Melbourne food blog. A lot of the restaurants you went to I know of and want to go to. Now I can read another person’s review rather than just Matt Preston and John Lethlan, whose standards are probably so high after eating so many meals.
You’re also a very good photographer, something else that I like doing. Are you the turn the flash on type or use a long exposure time type in dark restaurants?
So are you a Patissier now, or still in training. Congrats on being so courageous. I have always had this ambition to be a food critic or food writer but don’t have the guts to chuck in my engineering job just yet.
Finally, sticky cinnamon scrolls are addictive because you get to lick your fingers for ages afterwards, and sometimes discover a sweet spot you missed earlier a few hours later when you’re typing away at a computer. Puts a smile on my face when that happens.
March 6th, 2007 at 1:38 am
That looks fantastic. I love Korean as well but I have never been to Oriental Spoon. Must try! Thanks for that!
March 6th, 2007 at 6:21 am
Yet another place I have to try. My list is getting out of hand!
March 6th, 2007 at 9:52 am
Hi thanh7580 - glad you stopped by to check out my blog
I’ve stopped by yours a number of times, but just haven’t commented till now. Okay - now to answer some of your questions. Yes, I think Oriental Spoon is way better than Kimchi Grandma, just because it is refreshingly new and willing to please. Thanks for the photography compliment - I am more the long exposure type girl as I think the flash tends to make the food look flat. But sometimes it is so dark in restaurants that you have no choice but to use a flash (especially as my restaurant camera of choice is just a point and shoot digital). Nope, I’m not a patissier any more. I tried my hand at it, but I found that I lost my passion and enjoyment when forced to crank out wholesale quantities of croissant dough etc. So now I am just back to enjoying and cooking food on a personal level. I would still like to work in the industry though, just not at the coalface (so to speak) And yes, sticky cinnamon scrolls are the ultimate! I’m yet to find one that tops Solly’s in Vancouver, CA. Phew…I think that’s it 
Feel free to comment at any time.
Hey there saechier and anna - yup, another one for you to try
Enjoy! And don’t forget to report back your findings. I like to hear about the experience of others.
March 6th, 2007 at 11:03 am
I will have to put Oriental Spoon onto my list of restaurants to visit. The list is getting quite long.
Flash does make some food look a bit flat. But since I never carry a tripod, using long exposure just tends to come out all blurred. I need to look at buying those tiny tripods or monopods.
So have you gone back to the health industry or have you moved on to another job? Or is that all mentioned in the archived post. I will chew through those slowly.
March 6th, 2007 at 11:28 am
Hi again thanh7580 - I find that if I put my elbows on the table (tsk tsk) to steady the camera, I’ll usually get a good non-blurry photo. Either that or brace your arms into your sides. When you start bringing out big cameras and tripods, well I think it kind of looks sus. I try to go as unnoticed as possible.
I have moved industries entirely now. I am no longer in health care (phew), but as my boyfriend would put it, I am a dainty yet interesting public servant
Well, I’m not too sure about the dainty bit considering I love my food and all 
March 28th, 2007 at 4:15 am
HI.. I really like your site and your reviews! Informative with amazing photos!
I’ve been looking for a nice, relaxed place to take my boyfriend for his bday.. and I wanna take him to oriental spoon (coz of this review)
I hope it’s ok if i ask a few questions… ^^;;
How much would I be looking to spend for the hotpot + dessert + drinks + entrees (or is that too much food for two people?)? A rough guide would really be appreciated. ^____^
March 28th, 2007 at 9:42 am
Hey snoo - glad you find my blog informative
A small hotpot (dependent on what type you get) costs around $20 to $30. But it is HUGE. It could easily feed 3-4 people. Another option would be to go a smaller bowl of soup to share (there are many to choose from), for example the yak kae jjang (spicy beef sou). I seriously doubt you’ll be able to manage the entree, hotpot AND dessert.
For two I’d estimate it costing $50 - $60 (hotpot included), depending if you drink alcohol. If you go entree, a smaller bowl of soup, and perhaps a BBQ type meal, it will be even cheaper.
But just ask the waitstaff if what you have ordered is enough or too much - they are very helpful!
I hope it all goes well as it is a funky little place. And please wish your boyfriend a Happy Birthday!
March 29th, 2007 at 9:27 am
Oriental spoon seems like a pretty cheap place to go then, consider the quality.
Thanks the for the reply!
March 31st, 2007 at 4:09 am
I tired giving the place a call today to see if they were open on Easter, but no such luck. Did u happen to go there on a Saturday?
March 1st, 2008 at 5:24 am
hey there
love your blog and after reading through, I’m rather interested to check out oriental spoon. on an average, how much do you think a bbq meal would be to fully satisfy 2 people. thanks
March 3rd, 2008 at 11:39 am
Hey again snoo - I think it gets cheaper the more people that go. Some of the hotpots etc. are huge (!!) and when shared amongst a group of people, are great value.
Hi there maiko - I’ve been there a few times now, but can’t remember what days of the week they were. Generally I’ve always been able to get a table though (ie. I’ve never made a booking)
Hey celeste - thanks for your comments! I think you’d get away with spending $50 for two, and you’d be completely stuffed!