By STEPHANIE CHEN

It is difficult to hide Melburnians’ love affair with Asian food. With hundreds of traditional family-owned businesses scattered around every suburb, we take a look at the some of the biggest standout meals for your student appetite, all under $20.

VANDANA’S

2/676 Centre Rd, Bentleigh East

Vandana’s serves up the some of the best Indian food at just the right price.

The food is beautiful in taste and appearance. The colour and presentation are what you could expect to get in the bustling streets of New Delhi. The curries are smooth and complex without
overwhelming your taste buds. The famous butter chicken is a safe bet here and, for the vegetarians, the aloo mutter is definitely a must try – think creamy potatoes and green peas.

The service is a standout. The waiters attend quickly to your every need and the food is served up fast in beautiful golden dishes and woven baskets. Soft, warm lights and soothing background music create a charming atmosphere, without getting in the way of conversation.

PARADAI THAI 

75 Koornang Rd, Carnegie

If rich oriental flavors and soft buttery meats are your cup of tea, then look no further than the paradise that is Paradai Thai.

The modern presentation is notably consistent, from the preparation of food to the décor and the bulbs that hung down from the ceiling on thick wires.
The taste is no lesser. Their barbecue pork is soft and juicy and served with a subtly sweet bowl of sticky rice. In the chef’s specials section you’ll find the delectable lamb curry. With its intricate and unique combination of crispy shallots, chunky potatoes and lamb, it’s a must-eat. Combine it with either their chewy roti bread or sticky rice for the perfect meal.

Don’t confuse Paradai Thai with its sister restaurants Paradai 2 and Paradai 3, though they are just as good.

FAVOURITE DUMPLING & NOODLE RESTAURANT

874 Nepean Hwy, Hampton East

This small, hidden gem might just be your new favourite dumpling and noodle restaurant.

It is the quintessential Chinese restaurant that serves up all the staples. Their fried dumplings are wrapped with a crispy, golden casing
that maintains the perfect balance between crunchy and chewy, while the inside oozes a hot rich soup from the meaty filling of your choice. Their noodles are oily but tasty, with a good blend of healthy greens, vegetables and mushrooms.

They serve generous portions and, although basic dishes, it is a deliciously cheap option for those days when you don’t want to think too much. (Home page photo is from this restaurant)

LITTLE RAMEN BAR 

5/346 Little Bourke St, CBD

Amid the hustle and bustle of Melbourne’s city is a little escape to Japan that serves up hot and giant portions of ramen.

The restaurant nails the authentic Japanese experience, right down from waiting in line to the quaint and tightly packed room. Located somewhat
inconspicuously, it will leave you with a fairly accurate idea of what Japan is like.

If you want to experience authentic Japanese food, their ramen and gyoza are some of the best you can find without actually going to Japan. The ramen is not only cheap but it also gives you the option to Godzilla it (their version of upsizing) which will be sure to fill you up for the rest of the evening. The vegetable ramen’s miso soup is tangy and light but the most valued player is definitely the slightly runny egg yolk. Their plum sake is definitely a winner and worth going for.

THE TASTE OF PHO

478 Centre Rd, Bentleigh

For the ultra-hungry and the slim student wallets, The Taste of Pho is a good bet in all the right ways.

The portions for pho here are surprisingly generous for all three sizes, and none of them will break the bank. And while the pho is great, with hot and piquant soup, succulent meats and
lots of soft noodles, perhaps their unsung heroes are really the rice paper rolls and chicken spring rolls. The large rice paper rolls have a hint of mint to balance the warm flavors of hoi sin sauce. The chicken spring rolls are surprisingly appetising for the level of simplicity.

Finally a big plus with The Taste of Pho, apart from its cheap and large meals, is the choice. You can choose your sizes, what meats you would like and the sauce for most meals – a godsend for picky eaters.