Red Spice Road

Red Spice Road

27 McKillop Rd, Melbourne

(Ph) 9603 1601

Red Spice Road! I had been meaning to come here for so long - been to so many similar restaurants (Chin Chin, Gingerboy, Cookie) all with a Western-twist to South East Asian cuisine, fusion! I had read and heard so much about their famous Pork Belly here - could not wait to finally try it out =)

The interior decor is very unique here - the restaurant is only lit by large ball lanterns which line the restaurant to the back along the 2 very long communal tables. The lighting is very ambient here and be prepared to share tables especially if you're a small group or don't book - complements the whole sharing dishes experience. Up the back hangs 3 large portraits of young Asian women - adds to the fusion feel of the restaurant =)

There is also a bar area which has a different feel to the main part of the restaurant. Since we were a group of 8, they seated us near the entrance which was good had a bit of privacy =)

We decided to share 6 mains between us 8. Thought we should get 2 serves of their famous Pork Belly with Apple Slaw, Chilli Caramel and Black Vinegar $35.00

Heavenly goodness <3 The pork belly is cooked twice, then deep fried so the meat is soft and melt-in-your-mouth but crunchy on the outside. My first piece of pork was a bit soft and chewy on the outside, probably 'cause it was sitting in the gooey sweet caramel sauce but my second piece was perfection <3 The black vinegar is served separately so you add it to your liking, but complements the chilli caramel sauce nicely. And the apple slaw adds a refreshing touch to the fatty deliciousness of the dish =)

We also got 2 serves of the Soft Shell Crab stir-fried with Snake Beans, Wild Ginger, Basil and Black Pepper Sauce $34.00

Stir-fried soft shell crab? I've only really ever had soft shell crab deep fried but this meant it wasn't super crunchy but still with a slight crisp on the outside and you get to actually taste the meat! What a bonus they were very generous with the crab =)

We got one serve of the Duck Red Curry with Pineapple and Sweet Potato $37.00

The duck was very tender and fell off the bone easily. The curry was quite tasty full of flavour - red curry is my favourite with coconut milk =)

Last came the Crispy Skin Chicken with fragrant Cinnamon Broth, Sugar Peas and Corn $34.00

We thought we should get a chicken dish but this was a bit ordinary =( Crispy skin chicken yes but nothing too spectacular here.

They gave us 2 massive bowls of rice - definitely need rice to go with the many different flavours of the meal =)

Food~
8/10 - definitely go for the Pork Belly! It's the only dish on the menu that never changes =) Would like to try some of their entrees next time like the Twice Cooked Lamb Ribs with a Tamarind and Coconut Relish. Fine dining at a very affordable price especially with the Entertainment Card! =P

Service~
3/5 - waiters are very attentive here, kept refilling our water and asking us how our meals were =)

Atmosphere~
3/5 - quite nice that they seated us separate to the rest of the restaurant so had some privacy

Will definitely be back! Next time might try their banquets (lunch banquet for $25 each!)

C.
xo

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Came here recently again with some Brisbane friends, of course had to order the Pork Belly and the Soft Shell Crab again, but also ordered the Crocodile Jungle Curry with Baby Corn and Apple Eggplant 

I don't remember if I've had crocodile meat before - it tastes like a cross between chicken and fish! Actually quite interesting I thought it'd be quite tough. Though this curry was very spicy so beware!