Yum Cha Cuisine - Indooroopilly

For some reason the worse the economy gets, the more all you can eat restaurants pop up. I'm not sure why but I am always keen to try some out, provided the quality of food provided isn't too bad. I had recently noticed a couple yum cha cuisines offer buffet options but with different price points and different menus. The Mt Gravatt branch was $39pp with a far limited menu, so we tried out the Indooroopilly branch at $49 with a group of friends after a long days' painting.

As with most all you can eat restaurants, there was a time limit, being 90 minutes. Ordinarily this would be fine, however there were also limits for ordering (5 dishes per 15 minutes, which we managed to negotiate to 8 dishes given our large group) meaning we could only order at most six dishes per person for the session. It didn't help that they were overwhelmingly understaffed that evening and it took far longer than 15 minutes for us to flag staff down and food took a long time to arrive, meaning we were famished for the bulk of the meal.

Perhaps we were starving from the slow service, but the food that we did get served was of a very high standard for yumcha in Brisbane (which is inherently of a low standard). The prawn dumplings that showed up were freshly steamed with a thin skin and tasty plump prawns inside.

Beef tripe was also fresh, flavoursome and tender with a delicious chewy texture.

Bean curd rolls were steaming hot with generous fillings and a delicious gelatinous sauce.

Fried foods were very popular that evening and also good for sharing. This was the salt and pepper calamari with a super light and crispy batter. The whole serve was polished off in no time.

Taro dumplings were less popular and served lukewarm at best. The taro coating wasn't too thick and it was filled with a flavoursome pork and veggie mix.

One of my favourites for the night were the salt and pepper quail, definitely a higher value dish on the menu. These were juicy and plump with a crispy salt and pepper skin. I would go back for this dish alone.

We also had a crab and corn soup to share, there was a great deal of corn but hardly any crab. It was tasty but could have had a lot more by way of seafood to live up to its name.

Other steamed dishes we had included the siu mai and black been pork ribs, these were again freshly steamed and I have no complaints about them, already making them one of the better options in Brisbane.

Again with the high value picks, this was a serve of steamed scallops with vermicelli and garlic. We had ordered more but they ran out, but this was delicious and a value pick for sure.

More on the value picks, the salt and pepper king prawns were also juicy and plump, battered with the same light tempura, if I wasn't quick I wouldn't have been able to get any.

Roast meats were also on the metaphorical and literal table. These were the weaker link for dinner with the roast duck being lukewarm and not particularly well marinated.

The same could be said about the roast pork which had a chewy skin rather than crispy skin. It also was lukewarm with a thick layer of fat under the skin. Would not recommend this.

Although I wouldn't recommend ordering buns at a buffet, some companions did. This was the bbq pork buns and it was executed well. Light and fluffy with a sweet meaty interior, it met the standard for yumcha.

The custard bun was the same, although I would say it tasted no different to what I could get from supermarkets.

Onto the dessert round, we had some sesame balls with red bean paste, this was served at room temperature with a chewy exterior and a not too sweet filling.

 

Some of our table had ice cream, the deep fried ice cream wasn't well received but the banana fritter definitely was. 

I rounded off my meal with some coconut pudding, this was fresh and light. 

Overall I would say that despite my gripes with Yumcha cuisine, we had a pleasant experience. There is value for the price that we paid although service could definitely be smoother. The food was overall of a high standard despite a few let downs and I would not hesitate to revisit it at a later date.

Price Range: $49pp

Taste: 7.5/10

Value: 8.5/10

Service: 4/10

Environment: 7/10

Espresso and Matcha's Tenth Anniversary

 Dear Readers

It’s hard to believe, but here we are, celebrating the 10th anniversary of Espresso & Matcha. A full decade of exploring, tasting, writing and sharing. When I first started this blog, I never imagined it would come this far or last this long. I’m filled with gratitude for everyone who has been a part of this journey, from the loyal readers to the passionate foodies, and even the curious newcomers who have stumbled upon my little corner of the internet.

One of the most rewarding aspects of running this blog has been the ability to share my thoughts and experiences freely. In a world where the lines between content, advertising and censorship often blur, I have always made it a point to stay true to my voice. This blog is a place where I can speak openly and honestly about my experiences, without being influenced by sponsorships or pressures to moderate my opinion. It’s not always easy to resist the allure of brand partnerships and monetization or to stand your ground against the haters, but I believe that staying independent allows for a more genuine connection with my readers.

Freedom of speech is something we often take for granted, yet it remains a powerful right that allows us to express our thoughts, critiques, and appreciations. Espresso & Matcha has always been, and will always be, a platform free from censorship and undue influence. Here, I’ve shared both glowing reviews and candid critiques, and I’m proud to say that every word published has been a true reflection of my thoughts and experiences.

Over the past ten years, I’ve encountered various challenges, including the temptation to cater to popular opinion or tone down my critiques to avoid backlash, particularly in the 'good vibes only' cesspool that is instagram. However, I firmly believe in the importance of honest discourse. This blog stands as a testament to the idea that criticism—when fair and constructive—should not be silenced. It’s through open dialogue and critique that we grow, learn, and ultimately better our culinary experiences.

In recent years, the digital landscape has seen a troubling trend towards self-censorship and suppression of unpopular opinions. Here, every review and every post is a stand for the idea that all voices deserve to be heard, even when they go against the grain. My commitment to authenticity means that this space remains a place for unfiltered expression, where the joy of discovery is shared without compromise.

Reflecting on this decade long journey, I’m reminded of the countless meals, cups of coffee, and encounters that have shaped the blog into what it is today. Each experience has contributed to my growth as a writer and a foodie. I’ve had the pleasure of trying new cuisines, meeting talented chefs, and engaging in thought-provoking conversations about food and culture. These experiences have not only enriched my palate but also my perspective on the world.

As I look ahead to the next chapter, I’m filled with excitement and hope. The world of food is ever-evolving, and there are still so many places to explore, flavours to discover and stories to tell. I am committed to continuing this journey with the same passion, integrity, and independence that has brought us this far. To all of you who have been reading, commenting, sharing, and supporting Espresso & Matcha over the past ten years, thank you. This blog wouldn’t be what it is without you, and I’m so grateful to have you along for the ride.

Here’s to another decade of discovery, critique, and, above all, the freedom to speak our minds.

As always, thanks for reading. If you want to contact me, feel free to send me a message to my insta Espresso_and_Matcha or email me at EspressoAndMatcha@gmail.com

-Hsiao Fu

Houbi Ichigo - Mt Gravatt

I have been meaning to go to Houbi Ichigo for a long time. Ever since the instagram reels started coming out, I've had it at the top of my list. Unfortunately for me, their opening hours were not particularly friendly to those who had to work a 9 to 5 job and half of Brisbane probably did have them at the top of their list too, so during weekends when I made two prior attempts to go, the queue was lined up outside onto the car park and allegedly the wait times were crazy. I only managed to go on a quiet Monday morning after taking a day off work, and even then there was a short queue to order.

 

The menu was fairly short with a large focus on drinks. Prices were steep, especially for the strawberry matcha drinks.

Food wise, there was a selection of mochi, shortcake and sushi burgers. These were also fairly pricey.

 

With a lunch appointment afterwards, I did not opt for a sushi burger. Wanting to try something unique, I had the matcha shortcake. It basically comprised of a thin slab of castella cake topped with matcha whipped cream and strawberries. I found the cream to cake ratio to be quite skewed and there was a lot more cream than I would have liked and not enough cake. Taste wise it was quite good with a distinct matcha bitterness without being overly sweet. The strawberries were also fresh and sweet. 

Drinks wise, I had to go with the signature strawberry matcha bonbon. This was the medium size as I didn't want to fill up prior to lunch. Like the shortcake, there was way too much cream than I would have enjoyed, with roughly one third of the drink being cream. Another third was ice and the remaining third was strawberry milk, strawberry jam and matcha. For $13.80 it was definitely expensive and probably not worth the price, but I did really enjoy the taste though. The matcha was rich and bold, tempered by sweet tart strawberries, making it a fantastic combination. I especially like the fact that they were able to find sweet fresh strawberries to top off the drink, but for the price, this will be relegated to the treats list rather than a regular beverage for me.

Price Range: $15 - $25pp

Taste:  8/10

Value: 4/10

Service: 8/10

Environment: 6/10 

Petite - Fortitude Valley

With my blog nearing it's 10 year anniversary, Dr L has asked me quite a few times about the way I rate restaurants and why most of them get a score of 7 or 8 out of 10. My answer to him has been consistently the same. If I do my research and I know that a place is going to be a disappointment, why would I go? Keeping that in mind, I've been fairly good at discerning whether or not I would like a place or if it is more hype than substance by reviewing photos and menus. Very rarely have I been caught out with high expectations and a low reality, but my experience at Petite really took me by surprise.

Having previously enjoyed some very good times at Snack Man, Happy Boy and most recently, Mini, I was thrilled with the permanent addition of Petite, along the corner of East Street. I had wanted to go for such a long time, but in the face of cost of living challenges, I thought that it would be irresponsible of me to randomly drop over $200 for a weekly date night dinner with Dr L "just because". So I held out until I had a sufficient reason to go, having survived a particularly challenging period of time at work. We made a reservation for Thursday evening to avoid any weekend crowds. 

Having studied the menu meticulously, I liked most of the dishes on the fairly short menu, although I was a little bit confused by their notably unpriced lettuce, bread and fries at the bottom (this will be significant later on). In addition to their a la carte options, they have two tiers of banquets, an $85 one that has two courses and a $115 one with three courses which was essentially a "feed me" option for the chef to decide. Having had a fairly good experience with those kind of banquets before, we ordered the $115 banquet, let the friendly waitress know of a few items we wanted to try and waited to be fed.

Having regard to the fact that they focus on french food and wine, we opted for a rose and orange wine. These were served promptly and were adequately chilled. 

Our banquet started off with sourdough bread with two types of butter being garlic honey and sea salt. Both butters were rich and tasty however I was a little surprised at how cool and wet the bread was, making it somewhat unappetising. Even if not toasted, lightly warmed would make it a lot more enjoyable and assist in melting the butter.

 

Next up we had the oysters with mignonette and scallops with celeriac cream, lemon and chorizo. The oysters were probably quite fresh, but most of their taste was overcome by the vinegar. We both really enjoyed the scallop with its milder creamier, complementary flavours, being cooked through without being overdone (which is fairly easy for oysters). 

Next up was the steak tartare which we also largely enjoyed, the beef was fresh and well seasoned without being overwhelmed by the capers and shallots. Always a fan of waffle chips, they were crunchy without being greasy and went with the beef well.

 

Next to show up was the goat's cheese croquettes with honey and the onion tarte tartin. The goats cheese was fairly decadent and rich, coated with a light breadcrumb, fried and drizzled with honey. They made for an interesting and intense snack. The onion tarte tartin didn't particularly stand out for me. The pastry was flakey but soggy in some parts but the onion was quite caramelised and sweet.

The high point of our evening was undoubtedly the gnocchi which came recommended by all of our friends who had been here before. Although the portion wasn't particularly large (especially to share), it gave us a brief taste of soft chewy potato topped with melty cheese. Essentially comfort food on a plate. We both really liked it.

 

Having been craving another steak like the one we had at Mini, I was excited to try the steak frites. Unfortunately, it turned out to be a disappointment. There was a long wait for the dish, and sadly, it didn’t live up to expectations. The steak was small but thick, and at first, I assumed we had been served an unreasonably chewy eye fillet. Management later informed me that it was actually a bavette.

I’ve enjoyed bavette at Mini and other places, where it’s usually a thinner but larger cut, sliced at an angle to ensure tenderness. That wasn’t the case here. Even as someone who likes her steak rare, this one was bloody, raw, and overly chewy on the inside. Frankly, the steaks I prepare at home are done to a higher standard, which is disappointing considering the price point.

The chips, at least, were as good as I remembered from Mini. However, the fact that they no longer offer unlimited refills—especially with rising prices—was surprising, though still less disappointing than the steak itself.

The steak was served with a wedge of lettuce, which had intrigued me since I’d seen it online. Sadly, it looked much better than it tasted. The vinaigrette was unbelievably sour, to the point of being nearly inedible. If it had been any more sour, I would’ve had to send it back, which is something I almost never do.

 

At the end of our meal of steak frites, our waitress asked if we were full. Despite having a fair number of smaller dishes, we still had room for more, especially since we only shared one large dish between us. I sensed she was surprised that I wasn’t full, and after a considerable wait, we were reluctantly served an extra dish—a single wedge of soft cheese with biscuits, berries, and nuts. The cheese was fine but unremarkable, and I was more surprised by the fact that we weren't given more food, especially considering we had ordered the higher-value banquet.

After the cheese, we concluded the meal with one crème brûlée, shared between the two of us. This was disappointing, as we had hoped for at least a second dessert given there were two of us. The dessert itself was served chilled, with a light, crispy caramelized sugar shell. It was reasonably creamy but leaned towards the sweeter side for my taste.

For those of you who know me, I like to keep an eye on the bill. So, if you've been following along, you may be wondering how much the individual items we were served would have cost if we had ordered them separately. The answer is $207 (including the cheese we wouldn’t have received had we not mentioned we could still eat more).

I expressed my dissatisfaction to Dr. L about feeling shortchanged, though I wasn’t inclined to cause a scene. He stepped up and asked the waitress if we could pay for the individual items we had actually eaten rather than the full banquet, since we had received less value than two $115 banquets. She took this to her manager, who returned with a bill totalling $230, adding $13 for bread (two half slices) and $10 for lettuce (one quarter piece), which was surprising since neither had a listed price on the menu. Had we not mentioned that we weren’t entirely full, we likely wouldn’t have been served the cheese, and in that case, we would have received even less food compared to ordering the items à la carte.

Ordinarily, I expect a banquet to offer some value for money, compensating for the lack of choice in favour of the chef’s selections. When I brought this up, the manager simply stayed silent. It was only then, at the end of the evening, that anyone asked how I had enjoyed my meal. When I expressed my disappointment with the bread, lettuce, and steak, she defensively argued that the bread was of high quality and didn’t need to be toasted, even though it was cold and soggy. As for the steak, she claimed that bavette is supposed to be chewy. Ultimately, management dismissed my concerns, which was highly disappointing.

With an unproductive conversation like that, there was little left for me to do but pay the bill and leave. I’m saddened to say that whatever goodwill or hope I had for Petite has now completely evaporated. Unless management takes drastic action, it’s unfortunately been added to my very exclusive blacklist.

Price Range: $125 - $135pp

Taste: 5/10

Value: 3/10
Service: 2/10

Environment: 8/10 

Beurre Pastries - Milton

Pastries are undoubtedly a passion of mine and I cannot walk past a good croissant. I've had beurre on my list for a while since they opened but being located on Park Road makes it somewhat difficult for me to find parking and I didn't get to go until we stopped on the way to a friend's house in Indro. 

Arriving fairly early on a Sunday there was a short queue to get in, but at least parking wasn't difficult on the side streets. Luckily all pastries were still in stock and staff were very efficient and friendly.

Drinks wise, we had the thai milk tea with cold foam. I was bracing myself for a very sweet drink, but these were surprisingly perfect. The tea itself was very strong and not sweetened at all whilst the cold foam was fluffy, decadent and lightly sweet. We really enjoyed the drink and highly recommend it.

 

I was quite taken aback by how big the croissants were. When they first opened, I had read a number of reviews commenting on the high prices and small portions at Beurre, so it was definitely positive to see they had taken this feedback on board and made their pastries larger. The pain au chocolate was probably twice the size of others I have had and both were buttery, flakey and wholesome. It's definitely not as good as my favourite Reno, but it would sit comfortably within my top five in Brisbane and I'm keen to try out their other drinks and baked goods next time. 

Price Range: $10 - $20pp

Taste: 9/10

Value: 6/10

Service: 8/10 

Environment: 8/10