Yuni's Kitchen

Situated on bustling High Street and housed within the Northcote Uniting Church's grounds, Yuni's Kitchen is a favourite haunt for Northcote locals (and worth the travel for everyone else!). The restaurant  is part of the plethora of delicious eateries in Northcote and has, in its short existence, firmly entrenched itself as one of the best Indonesian eateries in Melbourne. 

In line with its social setting, the menu items lend itself perfectly for sharing. The menu is abundant with options and so for the indecisive and adventurous, we recommend ordering a number of their dishes to share and sample.

The vegan sambal (which the restaurant also sells by the jar) is a must-have condiment to enjoy - some of the tastiest and most authentic we have sampled in Melbourne. 

We started with a few delightful entrees. We adored the succulent and aromatic Sate Ayam (chicken satay). The satay was served with a decadent and perfectly spiced satay sauce. Simply delicious! The Bakwan Jagung (corn fritters) was similarly delightful - boasting a crunchy golden brown exterior, these were succulently sweet.

For mains, we shared an array of traditional delights.

The beef rendang was decadent. The full-bodied, pungent rendang gravy paired beautifully with melt-in-your-mouth morsels of beef. We enjoyed the richness of the curry and the generous use of spices which showcased the customary punchy flavours exhibited by South East Asian curries generally.  Together with fluffy rice and out-of-this-world sambal, it was an addictive and comforting dish.

A delicious comforting salad, the gado-gado was a medley of different seasonal veggies and tossed with the most incredible peanut dressing. Topped with crunchy crackers, it's a winning combination.

The Bebek Bali (Balanese duck) was excellent and particularly noteworthy for its fragrant and complex curry broth which was appetisingly laced with spices and mild chilli.

For dessert, a selection of vibrant coloured Indonesian kue and enticing bowl of fruit rojak concluded our visit on a sweet note. We loved the perfectly made kue which was an absolute delight. The kue mata roda was a particular favourite - The use of cassava flour ensured a soft and spongy texture which together with banana and palm sugar made for a simply addictive dessert. The fruit rojak on the other hand was notable for its clever interplay between tartness and sweetness - a simple but well executed dish. 

If you’re in search for delicious Indonesian food in Melbourne, look no further. With a brilliant menu offering at more than reasonable prices, Yuni's Kitchen certainly delivers.

Location: 251 High St, Northcote
Phone: 0455 337 666
Link: www.yuniskitchen.com.au