Oriental Spoon Melbourne
One could be forgiven for seldom, if ever, venturing toward the unfashionable northern fringe of the Melbourne CBD. The Paris end of Collins Street it ain't, but Oriental Spoon provides good reason to set aside your prejudices and venture to this oft-ignored part of town.
Set among numerous Korean grocers, restaurants and karaoke bars (the Seoul end of La Trobe Street, perhaps?), the first thing to strike as you step down into Oriental Spoon - literally, for it is situated below street level - is the mouth-watering aroma, heavy with the scent of bulgogi as I was later to learn. The large dining area, renovated in 2010, has been stylishly refurbished with minimalist decor, with perimeter banquette seating surrounding two central rows of timber tables.
Bulgogi is a Korean marinade, and central to all things good on the menu. Oriental Spoon offers a wide range of meals for either individual consumption or sharing, served predominantly in sizzling hot stone bowls. For the customer seeking a more interactive dining experience, a limited number of tables are equipped with facilities to cook your own meal, with expert guidance from friendly staff, on a hot stone or grill in true Korean barbecue style.
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