Biang! Biang!

August 1, 2025 

   

We've been very fond of biangbiang or youpo noodles since our 2018 trip to China. We love the ones at Master Lanzhou in Melbourne and have been meaning for a while to check out Biang! Biang!'s version. Their Elizabeth St outlet was conveniently close to Jess Ribeiro's Friday night set at Rocksteady Records.

   

The menu wasn't explicit about veg*n or gluten-free items but we were pretty comfortable with guessing. Though we knew a lot of food was to come, we couldn't resist splitting a fried tofu and egg pastry ($9.50) out of curiosity. It was super-flaky with dense, salty fillings that begged for a little chilli oil.

   

Michael ordered the signature BiangBiang Noodles with Chilli ($14.50), the whole reason we turned up. Since there wasn't any extra chilli oil at the table they were a bit milder than his usual bowl; also oilier.

   

Determined to order across the menu, I skipped the classic bowl and chose the BiangBiang Noodles with Tomato Egg ($14.50). It's a mild and comforting dish for the chilli averse. I really struggled to maneuvre the noodles but that's probably not Biang! Biang!'s fault - I've just got to work those chopstick-wielding muscles more often. 

This was a successful visit! The noodles were bouncy, abundant, and cheap. We're not convinced that Biang! Biang! outperforms Master Lanzhou, but it's a worthy rival.

____________

Biang! Biang!

419 Elizabeth St, Melbourne CBD

8529 4900

noodles & pastry; side dishes, dumplings & combos

https://www.biangbiang.com.au/

Accessibility: Biang! Biang! has a step up on entry and a clear walkway through to the low counter. Tables are densely arranged and regular height with backless stools. We ordered and paid ahead at the counter, and received food at our table. We didn't visit the toilets.

The Abyssinian

 July 25, 2025

   

We've been talking about going to The Abyssinian since we read about it in an early-2000s Melbourne Cheap Eats Guide. Something about the awkward location on Flemington Road meant that we wound up sampling a whole bunch of other Ethiopian places around town before we finally headed over there for an early dinner on a rainy Friday almost two decades later. It's got a nice, cosy atmosphere and the staff were friendly and efficient.

Our Ethiopian restaurant approach is pretty well established these days - get the vego platter for two (here that costs $48) and enjoy a sampler of all the delicious stews on offer dabbed on a giant injera plate. 

 

   

I always love the lentil dishes (ades on the right and tumtummo on the left, above), but I think the berbere pumpkin in the little bowl at the back (dubba) was my favourite on this night. It's such a fun way to eat, digging in with your hands and scooping up rich, warming veggies in the slightly tangy, springy bread. I don't think the food here is markedly better or worse than other options - Ge'ez is a bit more convenient for us probably - but I'm really glad we finally got to The Abyssinian.

____________

The Abyssinian has been reviewed positively by Whatever Floats Your Bloat, Tomatom, mamma knows west, Sweet and Sour Fork, Decisive Cravings and Oh... and the kitchen sink.

____________

The Abyssinan

277 Racecourse Road, Kensington

9376 8754

dinner menu, a la carte, dessert, drinks

https://www.theabyssinian.com.au/

Accessibility: There's a flat but narrow entry and a fairly crowded interior. We ordered at the table and paid at a high counter. We didn't visit the toilets.