The best Taiwanese food in Melbourne

One of Melbourne's most underrated cuisines is starting to get more of a foothold on the foodie scene. Try these restaurants for popcorn chicken, bubble tea, meal sets and more.

Mr Huang Jin

Uncover low-key diner Mr Huang Jin, hidden in Katherine Place. Start by dunking perfectly crisp TFC (Taiwanese Fried Chicken) in spicy mayo. Enjoy more classics like juicy xiao long bao, fried noodles and sticky pork ribs. Then keep an eye on the menu for specials, from deep fried red bean pancakes to fresh tofu soup.

Taiwan Cafe

This no-fuss spot in Stanley Street specialises in crowd pleasers like salt and pepper chicken meal sets, fried rice and stacked noodle bowls. Crispy fish cakes and Taiwanese hot dogs round out the menu of street food sides. Get a little adventurous and try peanut rice soup or the occasional durian special.

Disc Taiwan Wheel Cake

Disc at Melbourne Central is as adorable as it is delicious. Part cake, part pancake, these little UFO-shaped morsels fly out the door as fast as the chefs can whip them up. Start off traditional with the the vibrant purple adzuki bean filling. Then come back for matcha, Nutella custard, taro and pork floss or cheesy corn.

Jymmanuel at EziStreat

EziStreat is a Japanese-inspired food hall, with a huge dog-friendly beer garden to boot! But the crew here doesn't just serve impeccable soba bowls and bento boxes. Order a feed from Jymannuel's kiosk and enjoy stacks of Taiwanese street food. Think spicy fried chicken, juicy pork belly, nori salted tofu and more. Steamed dumplings, fish cakes and salted noodle soup round out the menu.

Hot Star Large Fried Chicken

This Taiwanese sensation is still serving up giant, crispy goodness in those beautiful blue carboard sleeves. Take yourself down to Hot Star Large Fried Chicken (yes, we do insist you use the full name) for a deep fried feed you'll never forget. Pair your chicken indulgence with sweet potato fries, crispy mushrooms or a cheeky serve of salt and pepper squid.

Din Tai Fung

You might not expect to find first class yum cha tucked away in a shopping centre. But Emporium is home to some of the world's tastiest dumplings. Drop those heavy shopping bags and refuel with a feast. Yum cha from Taiwan's own  Din Tai Fung is quite the show. You can watch the chefs at work in the open kitchen, folding dumplings at a lightning fast speed. Try the xiao long bao, these soupy parcels are heavenly.

Bento King

The hardest decision you'll make at Bento King is whether to have fried chicken or braised pork. But will it be crispy winglets, giant schnitzels or popcorn chicken? Switch it up with brown rice and grilled meat for a lighter lunch. Or double down with sweet plum salted fries, deep fried chicken skin and super juicy Taiwanese sausages. Most of the menu clocks in under $15, too.

Dessert Story

This late-night dessert bar is an iconic sight in Chinatown. But you won't find stock standard treats here. Syrupy tofu pudding, sago soup and towering crushed ice treats make up Dessert Story's cult-status menu. The line of smoothies are a thickshake-meets-bubble tea dream, packed with everything from coconut cream to red bean and lychee. More advanced foodies will love the black sesame shaved ice, grass jelly bowls and taro tofu pudding.

Lead image by Sofia Levin (@SofiaKLevin).