The Melting Pot

THE MELTING POT HAS PERMANENTLY CLOSED

The Melting Pot is Newmarket’s hidden dining gem - a budget Pan Asian restaurant that serves what is arguably the most authentic Malaysian food to be found in Brisbane.

Owners Jeannie and David Mok were the first to bring Malaysian food to Brisbane diners in the 1980s with their restaurant Kwali in Toowong, the Satay House in Fortitude Valley. Their latest venture, not-for-profit The Melting Pot, can found inside the redeveloped Italian Club, now the Newmarket Multicultural Centre.*

While the food here is super cheap (with majority of dishes under $15) the décor is mod, sleek and minimalist with carved wooden screen, chandeliers, pot plants and floorboards that feature remnants of vintage ads and a bonus balcony.

True to its name, the menu is a melting pot of the cuisines found in Malaysia, including Indian, Chinese, Singaporean and Indonesian. Leading the menu are the Chef’s Specials, including the highly recommended scrumptious Melaka Laksa, packed with seafood and veges and unlike the Western style curry laksas found elsewhere in Brisbane; Bermuda Chicken – an East-West dish of spicy crumbed chicken with rice, potato salad and purple cabbage; Chicken Satay, Roti or Murtabak (mince and veges pastry) with Curry Potato.

Rice dishes include Nasi Lemak, Salted Fish Chicken Fried Rice or Beef Rendang with Rice. Noodle options meanwhile include Dried Curry Noodle, Singapore Noodle, and the must-try Char Kuay Teow (a generous-portioned combo of seafood, chicken, veges and noodles) and the popular Ho-Fun in Egg Sauce.

Otherwise there’s noodle soups such as vermicelli Tom Yum and Wonton or Chicken Noodle soup.

For seafood fans there’s Singapore Chilli Prawns, Ginger Shallot Fish or Assam Seafood and on the curry list are Burmese Pork Curry, Nyonya Curry Chicken or Curry Lamb. Vegetarians are not forgotten with dishes such as Lo Hon Chye (mixed veges with tofu and oyster sauce) or Braised Mushrooms with Chinese greens amongst the options.

Dessert-wise there’s a daily Asian Dessert Special or deep-fried ice-cream and banana fritters.

The Melting Pot is BYO alcohol and drinks on offer include Hong Kong, Taro or Rose Milk Tea, Iced Lemon or Jasmine tea, soft drinks and juices.

Need to know: Portions sizes are generous and takeaway is available. Off-street parking is plentiful. To find The Melting Pot take the main building entrance via the stairs and automatic glass doors and the restaurant is inside to the right.

*David and Jeannie’s work in founding the International Church (also an occupant of the building) has led them to set up this restaurant, whose profits go to causes such as stopping trafficking of Nepalese children and assisting the elderly in Chennai, India.