The Melting Cheese, Sydney

Thai-inspired cafe with a fusion twist are popping up everywhere in Sydney lately, and Melting Cheese on Liverpool Street is the latest spot riding that wave.  Backed by the same team behind the already popular Mango Coco and Issho Cafe, this venue leans more into proper, filling meals rather than just light cafe fare.

The concept is playful and bold, clearly designed for the Ig and TikTok crowd, but with enough substance to stand on its own.  Not only looking good in pictures but they are also backed up with a great taste.

Salted egg yolk beef tartare

We started with the beef tartare, which was executed beautifully.  Well-seasoned, balanced and fresh.  It showed a more refined side of the kitchen.  Easily one of the most satisfying dishes of the meal and something we'd happily order again.

Warm melting cheeseburger

We also ordered their famously cheeseburger served on a hot plate with a dramatic cheese flood.  Something that's been getting a lot of attention on social media.  Presentation-wise, it definitely delivers.  The bun was soft, the beef patty was tender and well-cooked keeping them in a medium rare stage.  However, the cheese didn't quite live up to expectations.  Instead of a bold, melted cheddar or something similarly punchy, the cheese was more like a very light, creamy-cream-cheese-style sauce.  Visually impressive, yes - but flavour-wise, it lacked the 'wow' factor we were hoping for.  

Chilli beef pappardelle

The pasta on the other hand was cooked perfectly al dente, full of flavour, and generously coated in a rich, creamy sauce.  What really elevated the dish was the beurre blanc foam on top, adding extra richness and a silky finish without being overwhelming.  Comfort food done right.

Wagyu Japanese curry pappardelle

Fries with spicy mayo dip

By the end, we were completely full, so we skipped dessert this time.  But given the cafe's reputation and our past experiences with their sister venues, we'll definitely be back to try their sweets. 

The Melting Cheese

Level 1/88 Liverpool Street, Sydney

Ph: +61 2 9967 9265

Open: Mon - Fri 11am - 10pm, Weekend 10:30am - 10pm

Blue Heaven, Hurtsville

I found a Burmese Thai restaurant in Hurstville which is truly a one-stop spot for a complete dining experience.  From main meals and snacks to desserts and drinks, they cover it all under one roof.  Their savoury dishes focus on Burmese cuisine. while the sweets and beverages lean towards Thai flavours.

Golden tofu

We started with the deep-fried tofu, which was a standout snack.  Served in tiny, bite-sized pieces, it was beautifully golden and crisp on the outside while staying soft inside.  Simple but yet satisfying. 

Crab spring rolls

Warm tofu noodle

I was so excited to try this dish.  It is a Shan noodle dish served with chicken and tofu gravy.  But a little disappointed.  The tofu noodle dish had a creamy texture but lacking in flavour for me.  I expected something with more pungent and more kick.

Fish noodle soup

Their mohinga, on the other side, was delicious and aromatic.  The flavour of this Burmese national dish reminded me a lot of Indonesian soto Lamongan, with its comforting, savoury broth and fragrant spices.  Overall, the savoury dishes can be a hit or a miss, but when they hit, they're quite enjoyable.

Shan noodle

Pandan custard caramel toast - served with coconut ice cream, cookie crumbles, pandan custard and salted caramel sauce

Where Bue Heaven truly shines is in their desserts.  Their shokupan honey toast was perfectly toasted with a light brown sugar crunch coating the bread.  We tried two different toppings: the classic banana caramel and a more Southeast Asian-inspired with pandan custard and coconut ice cream.  Both were equally impressive and indulgent.  Their bingsu was another great way to end the meal.

Banana caramel toast - shokupan toast with caramel butter served with vanilla ice cream, cookie crumbles, caramelised banana and salted caramel sauce

Lod Chong bingsu - Coconut milk bingsu served with pandan vermicelli, jackfruit, coconut jelly, and a drizzle of palm sugar sauce and whipped cream

To drink, I loved their chanom or Thai milk tea, which had a slightly bitter note that kept it from being overly sweet. 

The owner also gave us a complimentary deep-fried banana, which was amazing.  The batter had the perfect thickness, making it light and crispy.  They also offer take away Thai sweets such as mango sticky rice and amazing butter cookies.

Overall, Blue Heaven is worth a visit, especially if you have a sweet tooth and enjoy exploring Burmese and Thai flavours in one place.

Blue Heaven

238 Forest Road, Hurstville

Ph: +61 416 327 143

Muay Thai Cafe, Haymarket Sydney

There is this one restaurant located in the heart of Thai Town in Sydney, inside Capitol Square that is always be our go-to place.  What makes this place stand out is its beautiful spread of regional Thai dishes.  From the bold and fiery flavours of Eastern Thailand to the comforting classic of the Central region, the menu feels like a delicious cross-country journey.

From aromatic soups to perfectly seasoned stir-fries, the central Thai dishes are comforting and familiar.  But the best of all from me is something much more humble: plain rice congee (khao tom) accompanied with your choice of condiments.  It's light, warm and soothing.  It's exactly what you need on a chilly night or for a gentle reset meal.

Fish sausage

Stir fried Chinese broccoli with salted fish

Pork mince omelette

Stir fried squid with salted egg

Stir fried minced pork with nam liep

Chinese sausage salad

Plain rice congee

Another highlight is their rice congee set menu.  When you order it, you get unlimited, self-serve congee.  That means you can enjoy as much as you'd like, adding condiments and toppings to your heart's content.  There are two set menus $19 and $36, where with $19, you can choose four dishes from nine choices while another one, still you can only pick four but from 16 options.  

In the set menu, of course dishes come in a smaller portion.  But, you can also get them in the original size dish which cost around $15 to $20 each.

Grilled meatballs

The cafe also offers all the iconic dishes you'd expect from Thailand's northeast.  Their salad is tangy, spicy, and perfectly balanced.  Their grilled chicken (gai yang) and grilled sour pork (naem) pair wonderfully with sticky rice, giving you that rustic street-food feel right in the heart of Sydney.  It's simple, flavourful and incredibly satisfying.

My favourite dish is the unusual tum dish (salad dish) called tum moo yor or the Vietnamese style sausage salad.  It is a full on moo yor with some snake beans and tomato with the same sauce for som tum pla ra (fermented fish).  

Yum moo yor

Grilled naem (fermented pork)

Grilled chicked (kai yang)

Spicy pork bone soup

Crispy chicken skin

If you're craving authentic Thai flavours in Sydney - not just the usual pad thai and green curry, but the real home-style dishes loved across Thailand - Malila or Muay Thai Cafe is a hidden gem you'll want to bookmark.

Muay Thai Cafe (Ma Li La)

Shop G12, 730-742 George St, Haymarket

Inside Capitol Square Building (behind the Chinatown tram stop)

Mango Coco, Haymarket

Why choose between savoury and dessert when you can have it all?  From decadent desserts to mouthwatering meals, they've got it all!!!  At first, we were quite sceptical to try savoury dishes in a dessert shop.  This shop was originally a full-on dessert shop.  But because their menus are too good to be missed.  At the end, we were gobsmacked by how delicious their savoury dishes were.  No dodgy, mass-produced food here.  They're all about quality.  And let me tell you, the food was a feast for the eyes and taste buds.

Kor moo yang $19.95 (grilled pork neck)

 

Tom yum mama soup $26.95

This tom yum dish was remarkable, characterised by a thick and pungent broth.  Not so spicy, just a gentle whisper.  The roast pork was crispy goodness, whereas the squid, though tender, exhibited a distinct fishy flavour.  

Pineapple fried rice with prawn $22.95

Pandan creme brulee $21.95

Their pandan brulee was visually stunning and its flavour was incredible.  The creme brulee had a pleasingly creamy and smooth texture.  It went very well with coconut ice cream and fresh berries.

Creamy mango bingsu $23.95

Their bingsu were the perfect balance of sweet and not-so-sweet, making them a crowd-pleasing treat. 

Thai tea bingsu $23.95

Thai tea latte $7.90

Mango Coco

421 Pitt Street, Haymarket, Sydney

Ph: 02 80657034

Spoonful Thai Restaurant, Epping

Recently, we uncovered a Hidden Gem of a Thai restaurant in a suburb. The place is called Spoonful on the north shore of Sydney, Epping.  Although, I won't say that they serve authentic Thai food here, because they adjusted their taste to mild levels and their menus are pretty modern.  Despite the fact that the restaurant was slammed on Friday evening, Thai people were rarely seen dining there.  As someone familiar with the authentic taste of Thai cuisine after eight years I had been living there, the food here not Thai traditional kinda dishes but I can confidently say that this restaurant does a great job in producing modern Thai food and capturing its essence.  The foods here are well presented too.  

 

Fish cake $10.90 for 4 pieces

Chili basil soft shell crab $29.90

Beef salad $22.90

Cinnamon duck $26.90

Massamun lamb shank $27.90

Overall, their foods were all spot on.  The lamb meat was so tender to the bite and not so gamey.  The salad was fresh.  That deep-fried soft-shell crabs were crisp and well-seasoned.  In terms of flavour, they were delectable.  

Their dessert menus were creative as well.  We had their deep-fried ice cream and mango gelato.  Let me tell you!!  That mango gelato was absolutely a crowd-pleaser.  Gelato was encased inside a mango shaped white chocolate then drizzled with more mango sauce and whipped cream served on the side.  It is gone in a flash!!

Then, we ended this lovely evening with some fancy cocktails.  I ordered a milo martini for myself, and it was amazing.  If only I knew the recipe, I'll be making this and indulge in this deliciousness every night.

Mango delight gelato wrapped in white chocolate shell $10.90

Deep fried ice cream comes with chocolate/caramel sauce $15.90

Cocktails - pina colada and milo martini $16.90 each

Spoonful Thai

1B, 6 Chambers court, Epping 

Ground floor of The Langston tower Epping

Ph: 02 9128 9898

Lunch: Monday - Sunday 11am - 3pm

Dinner: Monday - Saturday 5pm - 10pm (Sunday until 9pm)