Monkey King — Gastrology

Set in the heart of the city, the Monkey King Bar is business entrepreneur and dumpling master David Zhou’s latest eatery which takes Melbournians on a food adventure with delicious pan-Asian cuisine.

Under Zhou’s watchful eye, Monkey King Bar presents a delightful dining experienced coupled with a brilliant cocktail list to enhance and compliment a good night out.

From left: Passionfruit Caprioska; Berry Mojito

The bar offers a concise, considered and well-priced wine list as well as cocktails that are bursting with flavour. We particularly enjoyed the Passionfruit Caprioska (one of the latest additions to their cocktail menu). A moreish cocktail which was both fresh and zingy.

Mao Pao Tofu

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

Wagyu beef dumplings with Lemongrass and Ginger tea infused sauce with a hint of chilli

We were delighted by the tasty selection of delectable dim sum. Each dumpling had gracefully delicate pastry skin enveloping rich and tasty fillings.

Clockwise from top left: Pan fried pork & chive dumplings with chilli vinegar dipping sauce; Tibetan lamb skewers; The Immortal vegetarian dumplings; Sate Madura chicken skewers

The skewers are also highly recommended. Each morsel was sufficiently seasoned and had benefited from a delectable outer charring courtesy of spending the perfect time on the grill.

Black bean beef with sliced almonds

The Black bean beef with sliced almonds was a delicious main course. Generous morsels of tender beef slathered in luscious umami laden black bean sauce and lightly adorned with sliced almonds, it was a dish that married particularly well with fluffy steamed buns.

Foreground: Nutella & peanut butter spring rolls dipped in chocolate and nuts

Background: Wangs taro - sweet honey & sesame taro

The desserts on the menu, did not disappoint. We loved the traditional dessert of sweet honey and sesame taro which featured taro morsels which were each coated with a perfectly crispy exterior and gooey soft centre. The modern dessert of Nutella and peanut butter spring rolls dipped in chocolate and nuts also pleased - I mean Nutella and peanut butter? It was always going to be good.