(Z)

<p><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1"><img src="http://www.funkygrad.com/estyle/images/mylife/hwfood01.jpg" width="150" height="220" align="left">Melbourne
- The most cosmopolitan city, other than Sydney, in the southern hemisphere.
And likewise, the selection of cuisines is nowhere limited to only kangaroo
and emu delicacies. Many migrants arrived in Melbourne from all over the world
and brought together their home country's flavour to down under as well. The
Greeks, Italians and Chinese all have established a strong influence on the
food culture here. Over the last decade, Melbournians have developed an adventurous
taste bud for authentic food from around the globe. </font> </p>
<p><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1">But can Singaporeans'
favourite hawker food be found right here in Melbourne - 7000 km away.</font></p>
<p><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1">Singaporeans living
in Melbourne often have to settle for the closest to their home country's food
by either trying to produce hawker standard dishes, which normally turns out
to be disastrous, or simply head off to a Chinese restaurant that tries to imitate
nothing close to the true flavour of our Hainanese chicken rice (usually in
plain rice and chicken that taste like rubber and no bla chan) or laksa (normally
comes with no coconut milk and some weird looking vermicelli that looks like
spaghetti and of course not as spicy).</font></p>
<p><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1">Well when the unthinkable
happens and when your tummy demands to have an intake of proper hawker food
in order to be able to exercise those bowel movements, do not panic. Get into
your car, armed with a Melway (local street directory), and take off to pacify
your stomach needs.</font></p>
<p><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1"><b>Lim's Nyonya
Hut<br>
Authentic &amp; Traditional Malaysian Cuisines<br>
240 Blackburn Road, Glen Waverley 3150<br>
Open Tuesday to Sunday for Lunch and Dinner<br>
T: 03 98023763</b></font></p>
<p><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1"><img src="http://www.funkygrad.com/estyle/images/mylife/hwfood02.jpg" width="150" height="92" align="left">Excellent
Perankan food and 20 minutes drive east from the CBD. Hidden away in a corner
along a row of local shops, this cozy restaurant is operated by a Malaysian
family. The keuhs are home-made with the best ingredients chosen by the friendly
lady boss and her partner churns out magnetic Assam Laksa and Penang Char Kuey
Teow (very generous with the lup cheong and prawns) that makes you want to come
back for more! Originally from Penang, Bee Lee and her husband has been running
the eatery for more than three years and have been featured in The Age Good
Food Guide (Melbourne's newspaper compiled food guide, can be bought in newsstands
everywhere) every year. The place attracts many Asian students, even Japanese,
and a good mix of lecturers, families and many regulars from the local community
through word-of-mouth. Juicy po piahs are available and special requests to
cater to your spice needs can be met. Reservations are even required for such
a low-key restaurant! No doubt the closest hawker food you can find in Melbourne.</font></p>
<p><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1"><img src="http://www.funkygrad.com/estyle/images/mylife/hwfood03.jpg" width="150" height="140" align="right">Price:
Start at 60 cents for a piece of keuh to $7.80 for a bowl of laska<br>
Ambience: Cozy <br>
Authenticity of Food: 4 &frac12; stars of 5<br>
Shiok factor: POWER!<br>
_______________________________________________________________________</font></p>
<p><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1"><b>The Grand BBQ
&amp; Yong Tou Fu<br>
Target Centre Food Court<br>
Chinatown<br>
Melbourne</b></font></p>
<p><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1"><img src="http://www.funkygrad.com/estyle/images/mylife/hwfood05.jpg" width="200" height="124" align="left">Closer
to the city, this is the stall you don't want to miss. Ordering here is very
easy. Originally from Ipoh, the 'uncles' and 'aunties' here are friendly and
have no problems understanding our singlish accent and you simply have to choose
or point at pictures with numbers of what you want. Officer workers, tourists
and students patron this stall frequently and it is mind boggling to find a
spot. The one and only yong tou fu stall in Melbourne. For $7.50, you get to
choose 6 from more than 10 pieces of yong tou fu (sometimes the uncle will throw
in one or two extras for free) and a choice of soup base, from tom yum to curry
or plain soup. The fish mince is home made and they have the first fish ball
machine I have seen down under. Truly and highly recommended. The roast duck
is also a definite must try.</font></p>
<p><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1"><img src="http://www.funkygrad.com/estyle/images/mylife/hwfood06.jpg" width="150" height="113" align="right">Price:
Will satisfy under $8.00 <br>
Ambience: Number ticket system and self-service <br>
Authenticity of Food: 4 &frac12; stars of 5<br>
Shiok factor: SOLID!<br>
________________________________________________________________________</font></p>
<p><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1"><b>Kuala Lumpur<br>
Malaysian Asian Cuisine<br>
123 Koornang Road<br>
Carneige VIC 3163<br>
Tel: 9563 6707<br>
Open daily for lunch and dinner except Mondays</b></font></p>
<p><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1">Located on a brisk
shopping strip in the bayside suburbs, this restaurant enjoys brisk business
from many regulars. Family operated by Hong and David, it only offers special
dishes like Hainanese chicken rice (rice is authentic and chilli is solid,)
on Sundays. On other days, the beef horfun with egg, nasi goreng and har-mee
is worth trying. Dinner specials and lunch specials at $6.50, and a set lunch
for two at $9.50, where you get an entr&eacute;e and three main meals served
with unlimited steam rice are a favourite with locals.</font></p>
<p><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1">Price: Appetizers
starts at $5.00 for a lobak to$18.90 for a seafood main course<br>
Ambience: Quiet and fast service<br>
Authenticity of Food: 3 &frac12; stars of 5<br>
Shiok factor: Feels like home<br>
Palms Food Court &amp; Restaurant<br>
213-215 Blackburn Road<br>
Syndal 3149<br>
Open Daily for Lunch and Dinner<br>
Tel: 03 9803 9668</font></p>
<p><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1">This eatery is
run exactly food court style. Chinese, Malay, Thai, Indian, Sri Lankan and vegetarian
food are all here under one roof. This place was open by the former Premier
of Victoria in 1996 and has since been a popular haunt for Asians and Aussies
alike looking for an eatery that functions like a Food Junction. Here you get
spoiled for choice. There is your won ton mee, dosai and different kinds of
curries to choose from. For choosing the Roti Supreme, you get two huge pieces
of roti prata or roti chanai, which the Malaysians like to call it, and two
different kinds of curries to go with it. The Indian vegetarian food is healthy
and light on the calories conscious. If you plan not to head off to the gym
in the next few days, I recommend you to stay away from Palm Court. Once you
step in, there is no turning back, you will be hovering around every stall and
ordering a bit of everything.</font></p>
<p><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1">Price: Under $20
for two mains <br>
Ambience: If you like the bustle and hassle of a food court crowd <br>
Authenticity of Food: 3 stars of 5<br>
Shiok factor: 'mai hiam, buay pai' (if you don't mind, its ok)<br>
______________________________________________________________________</font></p>
<p><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1"><b><img src="http://www.funkygrad.com/estyle/images/mylife/hwfood04.jpg" width="200" height="86" align="left">KOPITIAM<br>
Singaporean Cuisine<br>
Corner of Little Bourke Street &amp; Russell Street<br>
Chinatown<br>
Open daily for lunch and dinner</b></font></p>
<p><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1">Kopitiam is a spin-off
from Singapore's own unique alfresco dinning style, except it is indoors and
air-conditioned from Melbourne's freaky weather. Chefs from Singapore run this
place and it is popular with Singaporean and south east asian students from
the nearby Melbourne University and RMIT University. Student discounts are available
upon presentation of student ID. The Hainanese chicken rice is worth a shot
and the laksa is spicy enough but a disappointment with foodies who love the
'hums' (cockles) though. But prices are affordable. There are many dishes like
nasi lemak going for $5.50 (one of the cheapest meal you can get in Melbourne)
and good enough to fill your tummy. Bandung (rose syrup) and ice miloare a bonus
here for the sweet tooth.</font></p>
<p><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1">Price: Start at
$5.50 for a bak ku teh <br>
Ambience: Colourful chairs and tables, a place for the young <br>
Authenticity of Food: 3 stars of 5<br>
Shiok factor: Cheap and good</font></p>