Blogs
A traditional Christmas lunch with all the trimmings can feel daunting—especially when the summer heat hits Australia and the last thing you want is to spend hours in a sweltering kitchen. At Otao Kitchen, we believe your festive season should be delicious, stress-free, and full of fun. That’s why we’re serving up a Christmas menu with a twist—light, fresh and Asian-inspired recipes perfect for entertaining your loved ones.
Whether you’re planning an intimate family gathering or a feast with friends, these dishes bring flavour, colour, and joy to your Christmas table.
The Best Dumplings in Melbourne: A Local’s Guide to Must-Try Spots
Melbourne is a dumpling lover’s dream. With its rich multicultural history and vibrant food scene, the city offers everything from handmade Chinese xiao long bao to Vietnamese bánh bột lọc, Japanese gyoza, and creative fusion dumplings. Whether you're a fan of steamed, pan-fried, or deep-fried, there’s a dumpling in Melbourne for every craving—and we’ve done the tasty research for you.
Here’s your local’s guide to the best dumplings in Melbourne, plus where you can learn to make your own!
f you have a sweet tooth and love exploring new flavours, Asian desserts offer a delicious world of textures, aromas, and tastes. From coconut-rich puddings to chewy rice cakes and shaved ice delights, Asian sweets are fun to make, visually stunning, and packed with flavour.
Whether you're inspired by Thai street food, Japanese cafes, or Vietnamese home cooking, we’ve rounded up the best Asian desserts you can try at home—many of which are featured in our Otao Kitchen cooking classes and recipes.
Why Beans and Lentils Are the Best for Easy Weeknight Meals?
At Otao Kitchen, we love beans and lentils—not just because they’re pantry staples, but because they’re incredibly versatile, nutritious, and affordable. In Asian cooking, these humble legumes are used in everything from curries and soups to salads and stews.
According to the Global Pulse Confederation, beans and lentils play a vital role in a healthy, balanced diet and are linked to preventing chronic illnesses such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. They're naturally low in fat, high in fibre, and packed with essential minerals and vitamins.
If you're looking for healthy, delicious, and easy dinner ideas, beans and lentils are your go-to ingredients—especially when you want something plant-based and satisfying.
How to Make Fresh Vietnamese Rice Paper Rolls (Gỏi Cuốn)
Light, healthy, and bursting with flavour, Vietnamese rice paper rolls (also known as gỏi cuốn) are a favourite for good reason. These fresh rolls are packed with prawns, rice noodles, crisp vegetables, and fragrant herbs—rolled up in delicate rice paper and served with a punchy dipping sauce.
At Otao Kitchen, we love teaching our students to make rice paper rolls in our Vietnamese cooking classes, because they’re fun to assemble and perfect for sharing. Now you can recreate them at home with this step-by-step guide.
How to Buy the Best Kitchen Knife on a Budget: A Chef’s Guide for Home Cooks
Becoming a great home cook doesn’t start with a recipe—it starts with your tools. And nothing is more essential than a good kitchen knife. Whether you’re slicing onions, chopping herbs, or carving a roast, your chef’s knife will be the most-used tool in your kitchen.
But with so many choices out there, how do you find the right knife without breaking the bank?
At Otao Kitchen, we’re here to take the stress out of buying your first—or next—kitchen knife. Let’s walk through everything you need to know, with our 7-step guide to choosing the perfect kitchen knife on a budget.