Foodle The Ultimate Asian Food Destination in Melbourne

Introduction

Foodle is a revolutionary Asian megastore and dining hall located at Highpoint Shopping Centre in Melbourne. This extraordinary venue, reminiscent of Eataly, offers a truly immersive experience for food enthusiasts. Founded by David Loh, the mastermind behind Australia’s bubble tea craze, Foodle combines a supermarket, a restaurant, and a phenomenon all in one. With its vast array of Asian groceries, live seafood, premium butcher cuts, sushi counter, oyster bar, Chinese barbecue restaurant, bakery, and more, Foodle is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to explore the diverse flavors of Asia.

The Asian Answer to Eataly

Foodle is a massive venture that spans the size of a supermarket. As you enter, you’ll be greeted by an impressive display of live seafood, where you can handpick your favorites. The venue also houses a premium butcher section that offers hotpot and Korean barbecue cuts, a sushi counter, an oyster bar, a Chinese barbecue restaurant, a bakery, a dumpling factory, and shelves stocked with over 13,000 Asian grocery items. From essential ingredients like green curry paste to specialty items like French duck mousse with olives, Foodle has everything you need to recreate authentic Asian dishes at home.

A Phenomenal Experience

Foodle is not just a place to shop; it’s an experience in itself. The sheer size of the venue is awe-inspiring, with maps painted on the floor to help you navigate the different sections. You could easily spend half a day at Foodle, exploring the various offerings, indulging in fresh oysters, stocking up on groceries for the week, selecting a live mud crab from the tank and having it cooked on-site, and then continuing your culinary adventure by sampling dumplings and roast duck. Foodle even has a special durian fridge for those brave enough to try the famously pungent fruit.

The Brainchild of Food Entrepreneur David Loh

Foodle is the brainchild of David Loh, an entrepreneur who came to Australia from Malaysia to study accounting. In 2000, while working as an accountant for a truck company, Loh had the idea to open a bubble tea store. The response was overwhelming, with queues forming down the street. This success led Loh on a journey that eventually led to the creation of Foodle. In collaboration with Louis Kuo and Tomohiro Suzuki, Loh has also brought Melbourne other renowned culinary destinations like Old Beijing in QV, Sushi Jiro, and Dragon Hotpot.

A Fusion of Superstore and Dining Hall

At Foodle, you can enjoy the convenience of a supermarket combined with the ambiance of a canteen-style dining hall. The various food concessions within the venue offer collaborative menus at affordable prices. For example, the premium butcher section offers high-quality flathead at just $28 per kilogram, approximately half the price of local fish shops. Wagyu beef is also available at a steal, and you can even have it cooked on-site for an additional $15. The dining hall primarily features food from King’s Dumpling Kitchen, with an array of dim sum, stir-fries, braises, and rice dishes available in the food warmers.

Delightful Asian Delicacies

Foodle is a paradise for dumpling lovers. While most of the dumplings are machine-made, they are still delicious and satisfying. The handmade xiao long bao soup dumplings, filled with fatty pork and black vinegar, are a standout. Although they may not be the best in Melbourne, they hit the spot for those craving this classic dumpling dish. Other highlights include the Thai-style pineapple fried rice, which is a generous and flavorsome rendition of the popular street food favorite. Additionally, the Chinese barbecue meats, prepared in a drum oven to achieve juicy meat and shatter-crisp skin, are a must-try.

The Future of Foodle

Foodle has captured the hearts of Melbourne foodies with its ambition, sense of possibility, and one-stop convenience. Its popularity has led to plans for expansion, with a new store set to open at The Glen in early 2024. This expansion will bring the Foodle experience to even more people in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne, solidifying its status as the ultimate Asian food destination in the city.

In conclusion, Foodle is a groundbreaking concept that seamlessly combines a supermarket, a restaurant, and a phenomenon. With its vast array of Asian groceries, live seafood, premium cuts of meat, and diverse dining options, Foodle is a haven for food enthusiasts. Whether you’re looking to shop for specialty ingredients, enjoy a delicious meal, or simply immerse yourself in the vibrant Asian culinary scene, Foodle is the place to be. So, make sure to visit Foodle at Highpoint Shopping Centre and embark on a culinary adventure like no other.

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