Blogs
One of the most exciting and flavourful dishes you’ll encounter during Lunar New Year celebrations is the Chinese New Year Prosperity Salad, also known as Yusheng or Lo Hei. This vibrant and symbolic salad isn't just a treat for the taste buds—it’s also a joyful ritual that celebrates abundance, health, and prosperity.
At Otao Kitchen, we celebrate cultural cooking traditions like these through our hands-on Asian cooking classes in Melbourne, where food meets fun and flavour meets tradition.
Unlike pasta or egg noodles, ramen noodles are typically made with wheat flour and an alkaline solution called kansui (or a substitute like baking soda). This is what gives ramen its signature chewiness, springy texture, and slightly yellow colour. When cooked right, ramen noodles hold up beautifully in hot broth without going soggy.
At Otao Kitchen Cooking School, we teach hands-on noodle-making techniques in our Japanese Cooking Class—from rolling out fresh dough to pairing it with broths, toppings, and sauces.
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.