Alleyway Kitchen
Shop 11-12, 674 Glenferrie Road, Glenferrie Centre, Hawthorn
0433 333 688
Chinese
$$
Food
- Wonton Soup
- Chicken Wings
- Spicy Fish Pot
- Spicy Beef Noodles
- Alleyway Secret Duck Pot
- Low-Hun Mixed Vegetables,
The Good
It was a pleasant start with the Wonton Soup. Within the boiling soup, we found the Chicken and Prawn Wontons cooked to perfection. The delicate and soft outer skin was thin and light, giving way to mixture of fresh, crunch prawns and well-seasoned and tender chicken meat. Without a hint of starchiness, these were quite literally the perfect specimen of wontons.
The Spicy Fish Pot was absolutely sensation, if you enjoy chilli that is. Loaded with an abundance of Sichuan peppers, the bright red sauce should provide enough warning for the adventurous souls. As someone who enjoys spice, this fish pot definitely hit the spot. The thick, spicy and hearty soup was aromatic and fragrant, spicy, yet not overly so and didn’t mask the flavours of the other ingredients within. The slices of fish were plentiful and fresh, exceptionally tender and silky smooth. This was well complemented by a generous amount of cellophane noodles and Chinese cabbage, perfectly soaking up the sauces surrounding it. A very hearty and warming dish, perfect for combating the cold.
The Spicy Beef Noodles didn’t disappoint either. Served in a huge bowl, the piping hot noodles were served in the same dangerously spicy soup, albeit without the chillis floating on top. The noodles were soft and plentiful, cooked to just the right softness and were aptly fragrant. This was of course well accompanied by generous slices of beef, which were equally delicious. Finely cut to thin slices and having been pre-marinated, the protein exhibited great tenderness and borrowed much flavour from the spices surrounding it.
Another favourite of ours was the Alleyway Secret Duck Pot. They certainly weren’t shy with dishing out the duck, with plenty of succulent and tender duck protein to be found all over the pot. Filled to the brim, we found the meat delectably tender and flavoursome, borrowing flavours from the soy-based sauce. Amongst all the duck were soft and mushy chunks of potato, equally well-spiced and perhaps the perfect companion to this already hearty pot.
We concluded meal with some Low-Hun Mixed Vegetables, and boy have I never loved veggies more! The Chinese cabbage was cooked to great softness, which was contrasted by the crispness of the carrot slices. The wholesome chunks of tofu within were incredibly soft and juicy, offering a sponge-like feedback with each bite. The best bit though would be those giant slices of mushrooms, which were incredibly flavoursome and succulent, quite literally bursting with its beautiful juices.
The Mediocre
We found the Chicken Wings less excitable on this occasion. While there were absolutely nothing wrong with them, we perhaps weren’t the biggest fans of the sweet and savoury marinade that was used to grill the wings.
The Bad
Nothing.
The Verdict
Despite Alleyway Kitchen’s humble beginnings as an unassuming little takeaway shop, it’s quickly evident that they are destined for so, so much more.
With a head chef that has over 20 years of experience dishing up Chinese cuisine, the dishes we sampled today were not only authentic but exceptional in every way. Don’t be fooled by the low price tag, the food here was definitely a step above restaurant quality!
Would Penguin Eat Again?
For sure! We certainly haven’t tasted Chinese food this good for a long, long time, and you can count us in for more!
Penguineats would like to thank Alleyway Kitchen for inviting us and the owners for their generous hospitality.