Vi Dang We finally got a booking at Chae (after what felt like forever trying the lottery) and when a last-minute Friday spot opened up at the end of August, we said cancel whatever plans you had.
Set in Chae’s own kitchen in Cockatoo, the dining experience feels incredibly personal and wholesome. There’s this quiet rhythm in how she moves around the space, preparing and plating each dish with care. It’s homely but so refined at the same time.
The food leans into comforting Korean dishes elevated by her in-house ingredients, everything from the sesame oil to the soy sauce and pastes are fermented and made by Chae herself. You can really taste that depth in the simplicity of her flavours in majority of courses. We ended on her glutinous donut and it was just unreal, what a highlight.
It’s an intimate and thoughtful dining experience that feels unlike anywhere else in Melbourne. The price point of $140 is so reasonable given a drinks pairing is included. So glad we finally ticked this one off our list!
5 /5