Boonchoou

Tucked into Heffernan Lane, Boonchoou is the exact spot you text your group chat about after the first bite. Thai expats in Melbourne are quietly passing this recommendation around—and for good reason. It’s an intimate, beautifully styled space with an open kitchen bringing serious Bangkok energy. The food? Pure *aroi mak mak*. Expect aggressively flavorful, unapologetically authentic plates. The charred pork jowl—rich, smoky, and perfectly fatty—is an absolute non-negotiable. Pair it with a fiercely spicy papaya salad that pulls no punches and a phenomenally rich duck curry. Wash the heat down with their specialty iced Thai coffee capped in a thick layer of coconut foam. Smiling, deeply hospitable service seals the deal. Dimly lit upstairs, buzzing downstairs—grab a table, order a feast, and thank me later.