Heal.Thy Self Co

March 4, 2023

   

We had plans to meet west-side friends at Advi's Falafels for lunch, but they were unexpectedly closed. Our friends suggested we walk on to Heal.Thy Self Co, and it was an ideal backup. We learned that this cafe was previously all vegan, but after a change in management last year the menu has been reworked. Almost everything has a vegan version, with some eggs, dairy and meat being available as add-ons.

The pancakes and the breakfast panna cotta were both tempting, but my corn fritter success at Little Lotus inspired me to order them again ($23). These were worthy rivals, absolutely stuffed with corn kernels, accompanied by a sparse but fresh salsa, coconut yoghurt dip, and vegan feta.

   

Michael went for the tofu scramble on toast ($13.50) with a side of smokey tamari tempeh bacon ($4.50). This was a nice home-style rendition of this vegan breakfast, and a win not to have to cook it himself.

   

Our friends displayed superior ordering skills, having a savoury dish each and rounding out their meal with a shared kid's-size plate of vegan, gluten-free pancakes ($12). The taste I snuck was equal to any wheat-based version.

Heal.Thy Self Co is a bit distant for us to visit regularly, but it was lovely to spend an hour or two in their courtyard with friends. I'd be glad to try more of their menu when we're west-side again.

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Heal.Thy Self Co has already won praise from Mamma Knows West.

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Heal.Thy Self Co 

26 Ballarat St, Yarraville

9687 3330

food, drinks

https://healthyselfco.com.au/

Accessibility: Heal.Thy Self Co has a gently ramped entry and medium-spaced furniture. Furniture is a mix of high and low tables with backed chairs indoors and backless bench seats in the courtyard. We ordered at our table and paid at a high counter.

Mabu Mabu

Update 18/06/2023: Mabu Mabu has shifted focus to a restaurant in the city, Big Esso.

April 11, 2021

   

Visiting Yarraville café Mabu Mabu has been on my wishlist since we were deep in lockdown. The business is headed by Nornie Bero; she's from Mer Island in the Torres Strait and showcases native ingredients in her cooking. In addition to this Tuck Shop, Mabu Mabu offers catering services and a suite of native ingredients and condiments to take home and cook with yourself. 

The all-day menu's got a bit of everything for everyone, with vegan and gluten-free options clearly marked. There's emu fillet, kangaroo tail, seafood, chicken and sides of bacon for those who eat meat; and for those of us who don't: damper, eggs, green tomatoes, mushroom larb and purple cauliflower. Beverages from coffee to kombucha to non-alcoholic beer are spiked with native spices and fruits like wattleseed and finger lime.

   

We arrived ready for a hearty breakfast, so Michael took on the hot eggs ($18.50). He loved the spiciness of the house-made chilli paste, and the seaweed was an unusual and welcome source of greens.

   

From the first time I saw the menu, I was set on the chocolate and wattleseed waffles ($18). They're part of a very busy plate with a great proportion and variety of fruits. Amongst the blackberries, raspberries and blueberries were what I think are muntries. The perfectly poached pair was doused in a  syrup that included some little dried fruits, possibly quandong. The plate was piped with strawberry gum cream, and I took my time happily picking across the plate, with every mouthful bringing a new combination of flavours.

I'm keen to go back at a later time of day to dig into the more vegetable-centred dishes, try the damper and drink a smoked lemonade. For now, we're stocked up on sauces and spices to play around with at home. 

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Mabu Mabu has also received a positive write-up on Mamma Knows West.

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Mabu Mabu

13 Anderson St, Yarraville

0438 860 013

menu

https://www.mabumabu.com.au/

Accessibility: Entry is flat but the door sticks a bit. Tables are low, chairs have backs and furniture is densely packed, with a moderately wide corridor through the middle. We ordered at the table and paid at a low counter. We didn't visit the toilets.

Bopha Devi

Update 18/06/2023: Bopha Devi is now closed.

October 8, 2013

We recently visited the Moody Noodles to meet their newest member, then stuck around west side for dinner. Cambodian restaurant Bopha Devi has a long-established reputation both in Yarraville and in Docklands, and we knew from K and Carla that they offer decent veg options. Indeed, many mains on their menu included a tofu option and a V, and there were plenty of GFs scattered throughout too.

We started with the gleegan-friendly garlic chive rice cakes ($10.90), crispily crusted with a soft rice-dough middle and green garlicky centre. Though it looked as innocent as ketchup, the accompanying sauce had some chilli heat and I spread it sparingly.

We shared a small Char Trop ($16.90) - smoky, slippery eggplant with tofu strips and steamed rice.

The Char Kroeung ($17.90 for small) gave us mixed signals on the menu, listed with a V and a mention of fish sauce. Our waiter assured us that we could eat it fish free so we gave it a go, picking through stir-fried noodles with tofu, capsicum, onions and bean shoots with a scoop of crushed nuts. It's said to be flavoured with lime leaves, lemongrass, turmeric and fresh mint, but it turned out a little tame for all that.

I pushed for dessert and found that their serving of Cambodian Classic Coconut Palm Cake ($10.90) was more than enough to share. The warm cakes were spongy and faintly palm-perfumed, and might have been a bit dry if not for the icecream on the side.

Bopha Devi is clearly a neighbourhood favourite - the tables were on high rotation during our visit, and many more customers loitered on the footpath awaiting their takeaway orders. The staff were friendly, informative and generally efficient in the face of this high demand. We didn't feel at all rushed - if anything they seemed pleased that we wanted to stick around and sample one of their traditional desserts. Most of all, it's great that they cater to special dietary requirements with such breadth and understanding.

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Bopha Devi has been roundly enjoyed by bloggers, with posts spanning seven years! Read more on easy as vegan pie, The Urban Ma, Foodscrazy, lyttel fish big pond, EAT AND BE MERRY, FOR TOMORROW WE DIE(T), FoodStuffMelb, the melburnian and Richard's Restaurant Reviews.

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Bopha Devi 
27 Ballarat St, Yarraville (also at Docklands)
9362 0941
veg dishes $8.90-20.90
http://bophadevi.com/

Accessibility: I think there was a step up on entry. The interior is very crowded, though there is a clear corridor through the centre of the restaurant. We ordered at our table and paid at a high counter. The toilet is unisex and narrow.