Coco Rice is one of the classier cheap-dish-with-rice joints in the CBD. As its name suggests, it specialises in coconut rice and Indonesian food in general and the small, brightly-lit restaurant is located in swish Manchester Lane, well away from the harsh flourescent lights and dumpster aromas of Chinatown.
Most of the lunch workers and students come here for Coco Rice’s packages – a plastic segmented container of rice, dishes of your choice and condiments. I tried the Traditional Java Rice package ($9.50) containing dry shredded beef, chilli green beans, a very mild chicken and egg curry and rice topped with strips of omelette and some unexpected texture in the form of sticky-sweet homemade chips. The package normally comes with plain rice and although I asked for coconut rice I’m not sure I received it – either that or the coconut rice is very mild in flavour.
I like the fact that you could graze on lots of different textures and flavours in one dish and Coco Rice does nice presentation, but I can’t say that the food blew me away. It’s a pleasant place for a quick, cheap meal that will fill you up if you’re on the go.
- Coco Rice, 10 Manchester Lane, Melbourne +61 3 9654 0090
That is bizarre – I went to Coco Rice for a quick bite to eat before catching a flick at the Japanese Film Festival last night!
I must concur, I too felt it was good value for money. Danny went the java (like you), and I tried the fish, which was interesting. The coconut rice I had was most definitely coconut, so I’m sure you would have tasted it if it were.
Twitter: tummyrumbles
| December 9, 2009, 4:43 pm
Hi Mellie
When you say the fish was interesting, do you mean ‘bad’ interesting or ‘good’ interesting?
Lately a lot of my eating out has been on-the-run, so I was quite chuffed to find a quick, cheap dinner option that wasn’t a candy bar, greasy fast food or had been sitting out all day. I’m curious about the quality of the other huge array of rice-and-dishes on Swanston Street – can you give any recommendations?
Jetsetting Joyce
I’ve had the fish and enjoyed it – it’s a great cheap place in the city!
Fitzroyalty´s last blog ..buttons on Johnston St
Twitter: indolentdandy
| December 10, 2009, 1:36 pm
Hi Brian
It seems that you and Mellie (tummyrumbles) both agree that the fish is good – next time I’ll have to try it. Thanks for the tip!
Jetsetting Joyce
Heya Joyce – oops, yeah, I meant interesting in a good way
It was coated with seasoned flour and had been cooked on a grill, so had some nice smoky flavours.
Swanston Street is a bit of culinary wasteland, huh? Have you tried Don Don yet?
mellie´s last blog ..The bottle of milk
Twitter: tummyrumbles
| December 12, 2009, 9:12 pm
Hi Mellie
Yes, I love Don Don! In fact, my upcoming post is of the same sashimi don that you reviewed a while ago – it’s just so pretty!
I’ve always wondered about Mekong as well. My Vietnamese friends tell me it’s pretty average pho, yet Bill Clinton had two bowls
Jetsetting Joyce
I don’t rate Mekong for its excessive MSG usage
For Pho, I think Pho Dzung on Russell as one of the better ones in town. But then, I think Footscray is the place to go for a pho fix.
mellie´s last blog ..Hardware Societe
Twitter: tummyrumbles
| December 14, 2009, 5:53 pm