Makan, Melbourne CBD

Makan - Fried crepe roll, chicken filling, tangy peanut sauce ($12)

10 Oct Makan, Melbourne CBD

Posted at 20:44h in Asian, Food, Indonesian, Makan, Melbourne CBD, Restaurants by A Chronicle of Gastronomy 0 Comments

As a viewer, it’s easy to wonder whether how well the contestants on TV cooking competitions can actually cook. Tasia and Gracia Seger were the winners of My Kitchen Rules in 2016, and have since achieved their dream of opening their own restaurant – Makan. I’m pleased to report that their abilities in the kitchen today proved them worthy of their title.

Makan - White fish gohu, spicy coriander dressing, cucumber, avocado mousse, rice crackers ($17) — White fish gohu, spicy coriander dressing, cucumber, avocado mousse, rice crackers ($17)

Makan - Fish sate lilit, lemongrass, galangal, coriander, pickled daikon (3 for $15) — Fish sate lilit, lemongrass, galangal, coriander, pickled daikon (3 for $15)

Makan - Soft-shell crab, Padang tomato sauce, steamed bun (2pcs for $15) — Soft-shell crab, Padang tomato sauce, steamed bun (2pcs for $15)

Makan - Fried chicken ribs, chilli & sweet soy glaze ($15) — Fried chicken ribs, chilli & sweet soy glaze ($15)

Makan - Mie goreng, chicken, cabbage, Asian greens, crackers, fried egg ($16.50) — Mie goreng, chicken, cabbage, Asian greens, crackers, fried egg ($16.50)

Although they love cooking Balinese cuisine, Tasia and Gracia wanted to showcase Indonesian cuisine as a whole at Makan. White Fish Gohu (a sort of Indonesian ceviche-like dish) awakens our palette for the delicious feast that’s to come. There’s a fried crepe roll filled with chicken, and accompanied by a very flavoursome peanut sauce that was eagerly mopped up. Fried Chicken Ribs have a super crispy buttermilk coating and come with a chilli and sweet soy glaze. Everything is made in-house, including the steamed buns that envelope Soft-shell Crab and Padang tomato sauce. Their Mie Goreng, which also features on their more succinct lunch menu, exhibits a good charred flavour.

Makan - Grilled Jimbaran fish, sweet tamarind glaze, seasonal raw salad — Grilled Jimbaran fish, sweet tamarind glaze, seasonal raw salad

Makan - Ubud crispy duck, fresh cabbage, cucumber, basil, mixed sambal (half duck, $33) — Ubud crispy duck, fresh cabbage, cucumber, basil, mixed sambal (half duck, $33)

Makan - BBQ sticky pork ribs, sweet soy glaze, sambal ($30) — BBQ sticky pork ribs, sweet soy glaze, sambal ($30)

Larger dishes include Ubud Crispy Duck, Grilled Jimbaran Fish, and the finger-licking good BBQ Sticky Pork Ribs with sweet soy glaze and sambal. These two really know how to make a mean sambal, and if you can handle your spice, they have a super hot one that available upon request as well.

Makan - Cendol panna cotta, jackfruit, pandan tapioca pearls, palm sugar & coconut foam ($13) — Cendol panna cotta, jackfruit, pandan tapioca pearls, palm sugar & coconut foam ($13)

Makan - Banana brûlée, chocolate ice cream, cheddar crisp, condensed milk chantilly ($14) — Banana brûlée, chocolate ice cream, cheddar crisp, condensed milk chantilly ($14)

Makan - Mocha cake, avocado mousse, Balinese coffee ice cream, dark chocolate ganache ($13) — Mocha cake, avocado mousse, Balinese coffee ice cream, dark chocolate ganache ($13)

Makan - Black sticky rice, salted coconut cream, sesame nougatine, coconut & kaffir lime ice cream ($14) — Black sticky rice, salted coconut cream, sesame nougatine, coconut & kaffir lime ice cream ($14)

There’s a good variety of desserts on offer. The Cendol Panna Cotta will be good for cooling down the tongue after that spicy sambal, and there are interesting flavour combinations in the Banana Brûlée with its inclusion of a cheddar crisp. People who enjoy richer desserts might enjoy the Mocha Cake with avocado mousse, Balinese coffee ice cream and dark chocolate ganache, or the heavier Black Sticky Rice with salted coconut cream, sesame nougatine, and kaffir lime ice cream.

It doesn’t happen that often, but we left Makan feeling thoroughly impressed, and with the desire to return and explore the rest of their menu.

Disclaimer: I was invited to Makan as a guest, however, opinions expressed here are purely my own, and are based on my experience at the time.

Makan
360 Collins St (main entrance via Collins Way)
Melbourne, VIC, 3000
makaninmelbourne.com.au
(03) 9642 3109

Print page

10 Oct Makan, Melbourne CBD

No Comments

Post A Comment