As much as our Sydney colleagues like to think otherwise, Melbourne is the culinary jewel in Australia’s impressive food crown. I would go so far as to say we are one of the most interesting foodie cities globally. So it made sense to launch the new Insider program by TheFork to the media today at one of Melbourne’s most celebrated New Style Chinese restaurants: Lee Ho Fook.
We were here today to try the Express Lunch from head chef & owner Victor Liong, who wanted to get Melbourne more excited to go out for lunch again as well as launch TheFork’s Insider program (more on that in a bit). We are definitely guilty of ordering Uber Eats at our desks while typing up a guide for you to read, and think we can get on board the ‘dining out for lunch’ train. On the menu for the carnivorous amongst us was an express lunch menu of steamed Jerusalem artichoke custard with mushroom, ginger and shiitake broth, followed by crispy skin chicken and rice. Vegetarians and vegans will be well catered for with a full vegan express set lunch that features absolutely delicious crispy eggplant with spiced red vinegar, which had everyone who didn’t get this special vegan dish wanting to have a bite (but they can’t, it was all mine!). The menu at Lee Ho Fook is seasonal, so while some popular dishes may stay throughout the year, in general you will always have something new and tasty to try.
Also on a side note, we managed to find the recipe on SBS Food Safari (a brilliant program) so you can see how much work goes into preparing the crispy eggplant dish!
Insider by TheFork (part of the TripAdvisor group) is a curated selection of top tier venues, the ones with hats, the ones that make the top dining guides and, most importantly, the ones that are consistent foodie favourites. Featuring what they consider the very best of all styles of restaurants, the curated program is for anyone wishing to discover the right restaurants for any occasion. What we like about Insider is that it’s not just about the most flashy new venues, but also the tried and true classics that deserve more attention. Also, who doesn’t love being able to book a table for dinner from your phone! Insider is already available in other countries, so if you give it a whirl in Australia and love travel, you’ll probably find it easy to get a good meal when you’re jetsetting around Europe next!
If the sound of all this great food made you hungry, then be sure to try it for yourself at Lee Ho Fook (which translates as ‘good fortune for your mouth’). You can book on your phone through The Fork.
– Tomas
Tomas Zagoda is a filmmaker, writer, coffee addict and tall person who does not play basketball. You can follow him @TomasZagoda.
The Fork Insider Program is now available in Australia.
Lee Ho Fook’s express lunch menu is available Tuesday – Friday. Book your table online at The Fork.
The venues is not accessible.
