Spice Temple: Restaurant review

Spice Temple is the glam Chinese diner for all occasions, from yum cha to gala banquets or zodiac-themed cocktails in the bar. An upbeat playlist sets the scene in a Sino-accented space split between a refined dining room overlooking Southbank and a basement with ample mood. Menus are typically expansive but the wine card lists just 100 labels chosen for their empathy with Asian spicing. You'll need a drink to douse the heat from signature kung pao chicken with "heaven facing" chillies, although spicing is generally more elegant than extreme. Batons of steamed eggplant arrive beneath a tricolour of minced pork, garlic and coriander. Main-course meats, such as pork hock marinated in cassia-fragrant masterstock, tend to be standouts. A dressed-up mango pudding layered with condensed-milk chantilly is a suitably refined end to the Temple's brand of polished Chinese.

Phone:
(03) 8679 1888

Bookings:
Bookings recommended

Chef(s):
Perry Chow & Neil Perry