Blogs

The holiday season is a time to gather with family and friends, partake in seasonal activities and, of course, eat your favourite comfort foods. But this time of year is also hectic, which can make planning any holiday meal overwhelming. Luckily, we’re here to help. Check out some of our favourite Thai dishes for you to make this Christmas.

Gift cards are a great gift to give someone because they guarantee your friend or family member can find something they’ll love. However, since the cards are so small, coming up with gift card wrapping ideas can often be hard.

Though you can easily give them in an envelope with a card or in a small gift bag, it’s often nice to do something creative that really shows you care. However, coming up with fun ways to wrap a gift card can often be time-consuming, especially if you don’t know where to start.

Luckily, we’ve curated a few creative ways for you to wrap your gift card so you can skip the guesswork and get to wrapping!

Why Green Tea Is Good for You: Benefits for Skin, Weight Loss, Brain Health and More

Green tea has been enjoyed for nearly 5,000 years, first originating in ancient China and later spreading across Asia. Today, it’s known globally not only as a soothing beverage but also as a powerful superfood. The secret? Green tea leaves are minimally processed and unfermented, preserving a high concentration of antioxidants—compounds that help protect your body and support overall health.

Let’s explore the top health benefits of green tea, from glowing skin to brain health.

Longer Expiring Gift Vouchers Now at Otao Kitchen

Gift vouchers have become a popular and thoughtful way for Australians to treat their loved ones to memorable experiences — especially when it comes to food and fun. At Otao Kitchen, we believe gifts should come with the flexibility to enjoy them without stress or a ticking clock.

That’s why we’re excited to announce: All Otao Kitchen gift vouchers now come with a 3-year expiry!

Taste of Australia with Bush Foods: Exploring Native Ingredients in Modern Cooking

Australia is often celebrated as a multicultural culinary destination, drawing flavours and food traditions from across the globe. But nestled in this diversity is a treasure trove of ingredients that many Australians have overlooked for decades—bush foods.

Also known as bush tucker, these native Australian ingredients have nourished Indigenous communities for tens of thousands of years. Today, they’re making a major comeback, with high-profile chef  with An Immersive Night of Torres Strait Island Flavours with Nornie Bero and food lovers alike embracing bush foods for their flavour, nutritional benefits, and cultural significance.

If you keep it simple and buy ingredients at farmers' markets, the food can pretty much take care of itself. Do as little as possible to the food; consider leaving out an ingredient and relying on instinct. We have a list of shopping streets and farmer markets in Melbourne for you.

If you keep it simple and buy fresh ingredients at farmers’ markets, the food can pretty much take care of itself. That’s one of our mantras at Otao Kitchen. Whether you're cooking at home or joining us for a masterclass, we believe seasonal produce is the foundation of flavour.

Instead of overcomplicating your dishes, try doing as little as possible—skip a garnish, trust your instincts, and let those perfectly ripe tomatoes, vibrant greens, and crusty loaves shine. Below is our curated guide to Melbourne’s best farmers’ markets and fresh food streets. These places aren’t just for shopping—they’re experiences in themselves.