With such a developed list of food styles and choices to choose from in and around Melbourne, some restaurants get in very right and some, well they just plain struggle to deliver on some of the basics. With most Melbournite’s loving food and all the arty culture Melbourne has to offer, I too was eager to get out just after Christmas 23 and went to Hochi Mama in Richmond for a family members birthday. Hochi Mama’s approach to Asian fusion dining is refreshing. Refreshing because they understand the one big thing most restaurant goers should get as part of the dining experience, and that is value for money. This is often overlooked in some restaurants when one is sometimes presented with plates where you can barely see the food on the plate. Don’t get me wrong, flavours and how they blend and compliment, freshness of ingredients, the food temperature, the quality of the presentation, the service and how often your table is revisited, how noisy the environment is; all these factors also play a role or should for restaurant diners. Its about the whole dining experience when all factors are considered together, and when you get a good one, you are more than likely to go back and eat again and happily.

Hochi Mama was a very good choice. Good personal table service and above all, quality Asian style food prepared well, and value size portions that did not leave us feeling hungry or cheated. The food was served quickly, and the cocktails we all had were well made and some were very different. Certainly not boring. Presentation on the plates was good and the spicy nature of the chili flavours were up there and meshed well with the infused herbs. You just need to be prepared. The chicken was moist, not fibrous and well cooked. The pork belly not dry and not just pork fat alone. It certainly was not expensive per head. The restaurant also prepared and presented our birthday cake for us. Very accommodating and done well with care. Recommend you try the cocktail menu and for me, it’s the Leslie Chow.