Bar Review: Zhou Zhou

Gastrology bloggers dined courtesy of Zhou Zhou.
Location: 455 Chapel Street, South Yarra
Phone: 03 9826 0168
Cuisine: Asian, Chinese, Japanese
Overall Impression: 8/10  

A welcome addition to Chapel Street’s high end offerings, Zhou Zhou is the newly opened late night bar that has opened above iconic Oriental Tea House.

From Japanese craft beer, Asian ales, Austral Asian craft beers, Asian lagers and ciders, Zhou Zhou offers a comprehensive list of thirst-quenching, lip smacking nectars. Zhou Zhou specializes in craft beer. Zhou Zhou has the most Asian beers under one roof, boasting a lager & craft beer list of over 50 brands. 

Their list of Japanese craft beers are incredibly impressive. With brews such as Hitachino Nest Lacto sweet stouts and Kujyukuri Ocean White ale, we loved indulging our sense and trying brews that were a little left of centre at Zhou Zhou.

For the not so beer inclined, Zhou Zhou offers a concise, considered and well-priced wine list as well as cocktails bursting with flavour, such as a Japanese bloody mary that ditches the Vodka for Sake and throws in some punchy wasabi and chilli and the Mekong Hijinks with a mixture of lychee, lemongrass, hibiscus tea and Gin. 

We LOVED the apple and ginger martini. A moreish vodkatini concoction of apple and ginger juice, it was both fresh and zingy.  

The interior which is designed by Hecker Guthrie is inspired by ‘The Bund’ Shanghai in the 1930s. It is both refined and eclectic. The slight vintage sensibility with dark rustic timbers and flooring and accents of Chinese greenery and blue and white porcelain create a contemporary versus industrial feel.

The food menu comprises a selection of delectable dishes from Oriental Teahouse's menu – and all items are perfect for snacking on or making a meal of over the libations.  

We were delighted by the tasty selection of delectable dim sum. While many Chinese restaurants in Melbourne serve dim sum, the variety served at Zhou Zhou (and Oriental Tea House) are a cut above. Each dumpling has gracefully delicate pastry skin enveloping rich and tasty fillings.  

Another must-try is the chicken ribs.  Crispy and were flavoured well it is beer food at its best.

The chicken dumpling and quinoa salad was the dish of the night. A salad of leafy greens mixed with textural quinoa, sweet broad beans, red onion and plump dumplings in dispersed; the dish is married well with a lovely ginger dressing with lovely aromas of sesame oil. 

There is only one dessert on the menu, but it did not disappoint. The dessert contained 3 generous serves of plump sesame and sticky rice balls (with surprise chocolate centres), and a scoop of honey comb and vanilla ice cream.

Situated in the heart of Chapel Street, Zhou Zhou is an oriental drinking den with a difference.