New Kum Den

5.5 Average

Food  1      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  3     

I just bought Roast duck noodle (take away) for the New Kum Den. My gosh is the worst Roast Duck dry noodle I ever had in my life. The noodle is not cook and it was dry, not even with little duck sauce or anything. The Quarter of the Roast duck came as small pieces from every part (not a proper quarter duck). Tastely! - I am not sure is that because I order a takeaway thats why they basically don't care about the food they sell.

If I was sitting at the shop I would ask them to take the dish back and give me another one! all my friend was shock seeing the uncooked noodle. I basically have 2 spoon of the noodle (not edible) and taste the roast duck! It was terrible. I am not a critic myself and never had written any review for restaurant. But this dish is above my acceptable limit - No one will eat the dish. I just wasted $12 and my lunch hour. Surely will not go back again!

Feb 22, 2012 

7.5 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  7     

Not as hectic as some Yum Cha places I have been to or as noisy. Seating was good, we weren't sitting on top of other people. Service was efficient but friendly, they didn't try to push dishes on you like some other yum cha places I have been to.

Food was above average, and they offered a vast selcetion of both traditional and western dishes. I enjoyed everything I tried except for the pork ribs which were too fatty. The pork and ginger with bean curd and the fried squid were standouts. I think I have found a new Yum Cha place to frequent.

Jan 16, 2011 

9 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  10     

I and two friends dined here (this) Saturday morning. As it was hot today, the Air Cond'ing was very welcome. We sat and were served just at 11 am. The food was great, with much to choose from. We were a group of three, and each basket and plate contained three options, having a fourth member to dine with might have been tricky.

Lots of prawn-based dumplings to choose from, only at the end of our meal was a beef option presented. Won-tons and spring rolls were average, but the sticky pork spare ribs were delicious, as were the steamed pork spare ribs. No vegetarian options passed our table in the hour we were seated.

We were the first to sit, but people drifted in over the next hour, the place was never overly loud or packed, although it is very early January (8th) and many people may still be away from Melbourne.

I will certainly eat here again, saturday or sunday mornings. I urge anyone going to skip breakfast and wait for yumcha. I hope this is a helpful review.

Jan 08, 2011 

4.8 Average

Food  5      Ambience  4      Service  5      Value  5     

After reading the reviews on eatability headed to New Kum Den on a Friday for yum cha which was my first mistake. Yum Chan during week has a limited menu and is made to order so not the authentic real yum cha experience.

Considering most of the order was steamed dumplings, it took a long time to arrive. The wontons itself were quite thick but they generally tasty. The salt and pepper squid was a little chewy and oily.

Zero ambience esp on a Friday. Bathrooms didn't rate too highly on the hygiene scale. Certainly not the best yum cha I have had and would try another restaurant in Chinatown before returning here.

Aug 11, 2010 

7.3 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  6      Service  6      Value  9     

On the recommendations of other reviews I booked as suggested for 6 people on Sunday for Yum Cha. We were not disappointed! For me, the dish of the day was the roast duck and the ginger prawn dumplings were a huge hit. The only critical point at New Kum Den is that most of the wine we asked for they did not have. Suggest you BYO to avoid disapointment.

Jul 26, 2010 

7.8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  8     

Booked late on Friday for a table of six and when we arrived the place was packed but we were seated straight away. The service is very friendly and polite, our waiter was always smiling which is great to see and the food and drink came out in very good time. The ambience is not too bad, can be a little noisy if the restaurant is full but the quality of food makes you forget about it.

Overall the food was great, definitely recommend the peking duck entree and the salt and pepper calamari for a main. The spring rolls for entree were also tasty. The Lobster and meat dumplings special for entree were ok but not great. The wine list is limited but there are some good wines on there. Overall everyone in our party was happy with the food so New Kum Den will have us returning.

May 25, 2010 

7.8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  7     

Finally tried the yum-cha here. It's a Friday, so the menu was limited. It is very tasty (so tasty, I was thirsty within 10 minutes of walking out the shop). This means generous use of MSG. However, I would return as I love the pork chop rice there. It's a good restaurant to go to for its service, at least, it's better than some other chinese restaurants.

Apr 16, 2010 

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  7      Service  9      Value  10     

This is one of Melbourne's hidden treasures hustled away in Heffernan lane. The food was delicious, the service was good, food didn't take long to land on the table and the waitress was unobtrusive. Will definitely go back, and bring my yum cha pals with me. The calamari is a must!

Mar 02, 2010 

7.3 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  7      Service  7      Value  8     

I was compelled to revisit this restaurant after stumbling on their website recently, the 9 photos of salt and pepper bean curd from different angles had me salivating.

The food did not disappoint, with crisp and flavoursome money bags (filled with whole prawns of good quality) to start, and an excellent golden salt and pepper calamari with delicate dusting of sichuan powder, topped with crunchy shallots, chillies and spring onions.

A further round of courses included "shredded pork in chilli", perhaps, a little misleadingly named (bamboo and fungus, and a very mild sauce dominate the flavours), salt and pepper beancurd and a beef dish, with fresh greens.

On this occasion we opted for BYO ($2 per head), but it is worth noting that there is a small but thoughtfully put together wine list of good quality and value.

Jan 14, 2010 

9 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  10     

Excellent value for money. Initial contact with reception staff very offhand but other staff very friendly and helpful. Lovely food and excellent service. Recommended highly.

Nov 28, 2009