Friday 24 April 2020

Ming Ming's Kitchen - Review

I've been waiting to do a full review of Ming Ming's, since their soft opening in early February.  They started with a limited menu for a few weeks, in order to find their feet.  Then along came 'Rona, the dreaded virus which came along uninvited, and insists on hanging at the party.  They are currently, like many cafés and restaurants, doing takeaway only, till we can all start going out again.  I am really looking forward to that day!  

So I decided to do a review now, 'cos who knows when 'Rona will be sent packing?  (Don't you love all the viral virus jokes and songs and memes?  I reckon the Bohemian Rhapsody one is fantastic.)  And we really need to support local businesses, to make sure they're still around when life returns to normal.  Mr P. and I are doing our best, by getting takeaway dinners and coffees from various establishments.  Gotta spread the joy, and the dinero:-)

   
hi there Mr. Waiter!

Mr P. and I headed there for dinner a few days after the soft opening.  We chose to sit inside the long and narrow space.  We joked to the charming and friendly waitress that she must keep very fit running in and out of the restaurant to the outdoor tables.  She handed us paper menus, advising us that they were working with the soft menu for a few weeks to see what people liked, and what worked for them.  

  
veg. spring rolls $10

Who doesn't love a spring roll?  These were quite large, so it was fairly generous, even though there were only two.  I found the pastry a wee bit doughy and the filling a bit bland, but they were still fresh and tasty, and a generous size.  We would have them again.  (And we did!)



stir-fried veg with rice $17

Mr P. went for the stir-fried veggies, which were sadly ... like rocks!  I don't mind firm veg, but these were very hard, and basically not cooked.  Not a winner, I'm afraid.  He liked the sauce that came with the dish though, and would have liked a bit more of it.  Mr P. does love his sauce, just like those celebrity chefs you see on the telly.  You know who I mean...



grilled chicken thigh fillet with rice $18

This grilled chicken thigh fillet was pleasant enough, if not terribly exciting.  The chicken was tender, and the rice was a nicely fluffy accompaniment.  But the veggies were a bit too crunchy for me, and I felt it needed more flavour.  I could easily eat this another time, but I'd like to try other dishes before I ate this one again.  



the Specials board  (on the faux brick wallpaper)

About a month later, Mr P. and I decided to hit Ming Ming's again (just before the lockdown).  We sat outside this time, as it was still warm of an evening.  In fact, it's still warm at night, another month on, even though we are halfway through autumn:-)  We both went for the specials this time.  Even though neither of us usually eats pork, hubby decided he loved pancakes enough to handle the pork aspect.



steamed pancakes $18

They were crispy, they were herby and porky; and the mushrooms added good flavour.  (Don't ask me what the translucent squid-like objects are though).  Overall, Mr P. gives the pancakes the thumbs up.  Oh yes, he tells me they were rice paper sheets, not squid:-)  And he really liked this dish, he tells me.  Though once again, he wishes there had been another sauce to go with this, as well as the dipping sauce.  I have to say I found this dish a bit confusing.  Why were there rice paper sheets on the bottom?  Why were the steamed pancakes apparently fried?  A conundrum, my friends, a veritable conundrum.  But then again, I am no expert when it comes to Vietnamese food, so perhaps this is a famous dish...



wasabi prawns Special $29

I loved these tempura prawns, with pickles and mayo.  The prawns were crunchy-coated, tender inside, delicious mouthfuls.  I loved it, and have had this dish a couple of times since.  I believe this will be on their full menu when the time is right - post-virus.  Yay!  I do love me a Japanese repast (even tho' this is a Vietnamese restaurant), so I was very happy to have this flavoursome dish.



lemon lime & bitters $6


sparkling wine $11

For Mr P.'s birthday last week, we had Ming Ming's lunch delivered.  I had the shredded chicken salad ($16) - oops, sorry no photo.  It was zingy; it was fresh, with lots of herbs, cabbage, lime and chilli.  A healthy and pleasant lunch.  Hubby had veggie rice paper rolls ($8), and spring rolls ($10).  Friend K had wagyu beef salad ($19), while friend J had the chicken salad too.  It's okay to have two visitors during the lockdown, so no worries there, folks.  Plus they are hubby's employees, and it was a work day.


a looooong way to the kitchen

Overall impression:  fabulous and friendly service.  The food doesn't always hit the mark, for the Pickings' fussy and fusty palates.  But on the whole, the food is tasty and enjoyable. Perhaps they're trying not to offend Aussie taste buds, but we would love a wee bit more flavour, and a bit more ... adventure.  


Postscript:  Mr P. and I decided to have takeaways tonight.  We enjoyed wasabi prawns (again!), spring rolls and lemongrass beef rice paper rolls, which hubby loved.  


another friendly and charming waiter

spring rolls $10


lemongrass beef rice paper rolls $10

Fresh and herby.  Mr P. really liked these.  Full of herbs, and bean sprouts, and cucumber.  Another enjoyable repast tonight.  



looking a wee bit lonely out the front during the virus crisis 


Food: 7/10
Service: 8/10
Value: 8/10


1 MacGregor St., Wilston 4051
Ph 07 3356 1112



Ming Ming's Kitchen Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato 

28 comments:

  1. The restaurant looks pretty nice...but that stir-fried veg with rice for $17??? That's too expensive!

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    1. yes the veg was a bit disappointing angie. That's not a bad price here tho. you have to remember aussie dollars are not as strong as US.:-)

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  2. That food looks delicious. I'm thinking I'll never be able to go out to eat or order take out again. (We can order take out; I just don't trust it.)

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    1. hi jeanie
      i'm not terribly worried about the virus in regards to takeaway. i figure the cooking will have got rid of the germs. thanks for dropping by.

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  3. Good to know that works too! I learn so much from you as well! Keep it up great post.

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  4. They seem to be hit and miss with their food but by the time we come out of this Corona coma they'll hopefully have it perfected. The staff are a joy to see :-)

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    1. hi M
      yes i think they'll settle down when they can go to a full menu, and have worked out what works for them! But oh how i love those prawns!

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  5. We are trying to eat out (via takeaway) at least once a week to try and support our local restaurants in the hope they will still exist at the end of this.

    Those prawns do look delicious!

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    1. yes we like to help out local business:) the prawns were fabulous! thanks for dropping by.

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  6. We have been enjoying cooking all sorts of fun new recipes at home, but we are trying to support the community with take-out food, too. Take-out is a good excuse for weekend meals! I'm not as familiar with Vietnamese food, either, but Laura loves it. Ming Ming's sounds quite tasty...certainly good enough since you guys have gotten it several times now. I hope the coronavirus doesn't hurt their opening plans too much!

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  7. Good of you to do a review for them - I really hope our local restaurants survive this mess. Take good care, Sherry!

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    1. hi david
      yes i think many small businesses are going to sink - sadly...

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  8. Like you, we've been getting coffees and ordering take aways from our local favourites. We've got an amazing Vietnamese near us and the take away is tip top. We're getting quite addicted! Enjoy the easing of restrictions up there - hope it benefits the businesses :)

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    1. yes i am so looking forward to a drive on saturday - tho only 50 klms from home of course!

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  9. Food looks deliciously amazing!
    Many thanks fro stopping by my travel and photography blog.

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    1. thank you! nice to see you here too. cheers sherry

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  10. Oh wow, looks so tasty Sherry. Spring Rolls.... yummmo. It's great we can still support our local restaurants and cafes even though we can't physically eat in there. :)

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    1. yes we have to do our (tasty) bit for the locals!

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  11. It sounds like they've improved in the times that you've gone. I admire you for persisting after the first visit. I didn't realise you could have two visitors. Isn't it funny how each state differs?

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    1. yes i think they have improved and hopefully will continue to do so. yep weird the differences in state restrictions. can't wait to go on a 50 km drive on the weekend!

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  12. I really miss restaurants. Hope our favorites are still there when we can go to them again. We've been doing a lot of takeaway/delivery in the meantime. Anyway, good review -- thanks.

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    1. yes it's good to help the locals keep going. here's hoping that lots of them remain.

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  13. I sure miss going out to restaurants and will never take them for granted again. Looks like a great place.

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    1. i know what you mean Liz. can't wait to go out again.

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  14. Those spring rolls looks good too, and yes your correct they are large which I like!

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