Chin Chin
Where? Chin Chin (Melbourne CBD, Melbourne, Australia) Map
When? Thursday February 11, 2016
Who? Me, Again
Food Style? Contemporary Hawker-Style Southeast Asian
I'm back at Chin Chin all by myself, because the current wait for any table is two hours. I actually wanted some steak from Lygon Street today, but I was feeling a bit self conscious because all those places looked too fancy and I wasn't dressed for that kind of atmosphere. And I was by myself too, sweaty from walking everywhere, and given it was Valentine's weekend, it didn't feel appropriate to ruin the night for all the cutesy couples. #foreveralone
Kafir Lime Cocktail
Syrup, Yamahai Sake, Blackberry Liqueur, Pressed Lemon
I've ordered a kafir lime cocktail to start with, because I'm a bit parched from the day's walk. It is insanely busy here, as usual, and very much reminiscent of a busy hawker stall in South East Asia. The cocktail is refreshing and has a very prominent fresh lime flavour. I'm having a very good time. The more I drink, the less self conscious I feel about eating alone. There are couples everywhere and I'm on the corner of the bar, but the important thing is that I'm going to get food and I know it will be excellent.
Crispy Skinned Roast Duck
Cucumber, Spring Onion and Orange Nam Jim Jaew
The duck arrives within a few minutes and I'm impressed with the efficiency. First bite: sensational. So much flavour and the texture is spot on - crispiness is perfect. It's more deep fried than that roasted texture you get with Peking Duck. The cucumber and orange pieces balance the intense saltiness, and I'm way too busy stuffing my face with all of this food that there's no time to write notes. I'm savagely tearing the meat off the bone and I'm having such a good time. It's salty and spicy and sour and sweet, all the the same time, and there's so much going on. The alcohol is also starting to kick in, so I'm caring less about what others think of me. Woohoo!
Crunchy School Prawns
Nam Prik Pla Gapi, Herbs and Crudites
I'm still hungry. I want prawns. I place my order and seven minutes later, it's in front of me and smelling delicious. Crunchy, full of flavour, and "designed for sharing" but please, this is me we're talking about and it is going to be so easy for me to eat this by myself. The stuff in the middle is exceptionally spicy and gives the seafood a brilliant kick. There's shallots, chilli and garlic, and all sorts of amazing spices that I can't discern. The dish is so full of life and excitement, and within mere minutes, it's all gone.
I've technically already had dessert (I was just at Brunetti's having something sweet before dinner, because I'm a responsible adult) so I'm going to stop here. Another fantastic and memorable experience at Chin Chin!
Posted by Jeremy at 12:35pm on Tuesday January 24, 2017 :: 0 comments :: 