From what I’ve seen, QV has made a noticeable effort to refresh its dining options, particularly in the Food Hall area. There’s now a clear emphasis on Asian-themed eateries, some even linked to Michelin-recommended names from Asia, a definite step up from what was there before.

While wandering around, I came across Chunky Town, a Korean eatery specialising in Korean hot dogs and snacks. They offered a combo, any Korean hot dog with fries and a can of soft drink for just $13. It seemed like a good deal, so I gave it a go. I ordered the mozzarella and sausage dog coated in diced potato, topped with tomato sauce and mustard, and grabbed a Coke. For the price, it was pretty good. The cheese had that satisfying stretch, the sausage was decent, and the potato coating gave it a great texture. Honestly, I’m not sure why anyone would get the hot dog without the combo, it’s a solid snack overall.

Later, I kept wandering and found Joey’s Doughies tucked away in the corner of the food hall. They had some creative flavours on display, but I went with the apple fritter, one of my favourite American-style doughnuts. It had a nice crunchy exterior and a well-balanced glaze, although I would’ve liked more apple. Still, it was tasty and another good snack.

I came back another day to try Disc, a stall offering hot Taiwanese-style filled cakes. I chose two flavours: coconut custard and salted egg yolk with taro. The cakes were half-prepared when I arrived and they filled and sealed them fresh with batter before finishing them on the griddle. The outer layer was crunchy, especially around the edges, almost biscuit-like. The fillings were warm, though I had expected them to be hotter. The coconut custard was decent, but the salted egg and taro combo stood out, a great contrast of sweet and savoury, with neither flavour overpowering the other.

Overall, it’s an interesting shift for QV. The food hall, which used to feel underwhelming, now seems more dynamic and appealing. It’s also worth noting that most of the new additions are Asian eateries—a trend that extends from QV all the way to Little Bourke Street. This is a clear sign of Melbourne’s growing appreciation for Asian flavours.

Website: QV Food