Menu of First Taste in Footscray, Victoria, Australia

Menu Overview

Located at 104 Hopkins St in Footscray, Melbourne, First Taste is a Chinese restaurant that delivers a deeply authentic Cantonese dining experience. From the moment you step inside, the promise of traditional flavors paired with generous portions becomes clear. The menu is a vibrant tapestry of classics and celebrated specialties that reflect the warmth and soul of genuine home-style cooking.

One cannot discuss First Taste without highlighting their Hainanese Chicken Rice. This signature dish stands out for its perfectly poached, tender chicken served with fragrant rice cooked in chicken broth. It's comfort food elevated—simple yet profound, evoking memories of family meals and quiet moments. The slightly more premium Hainanese Free Range Chicken Rice offers an even richer taste, capturing authenticity in every bite.

The Szechuan Seafood Clay Pot and Black Pepper Beef Fillet Rice Hot Pot are other notable stars. The seafood clay pot bursts with umami from fresh ocean treasures, slow-cooked in a way that seals in flavor and warmth. Meanwhile, the black pepper beef fillet is tender, peppery, and robust, making for a perfect hearty meal on colder days. The clay pot rice itself is worthy of praise, especially adored for its crispy bottom—a texture that many diners have raved about. Adding sauces like chili or XO enhances the dish beautifully, transforming it into a savory feast.

First Taste also impresses with lesser-known delicacies such as the XO Sauce Fish Fillet with Rice, the Pork Ribs in a Complex Herb Broth, and their range of stir-fried pipi cooked in various sauces including Thai basil chili and black bean. These selections showcase layers of Chinese culinary tradition, pairing strength, and subtlety with finesse.

The traditional 3 Courses Peking Duck is an indulgent centerpiece, offering crispy skin, tender meat, and classic accompaniments that echo the grandeur of Beijing’s famous dish. For those curious, unique offerings like Crocodile Soup and Seaweed Prawns Noodles Soup broaden the scope, promising exploration beyond typical Chinese menus.

Among tofu dishes, the Salted Fish Chicken Tofu and Seafood Tofu Claypot stand out for their comforting textures and depth, though the Mapo Tofu appears to divide opinions due to its mild and slightly sweet profile, less aligned with traditional spicy expectations.

Customer testimonials reinforce the authenticity and quality that First Taste embodies. Diners like Sofi and Toby Tang praise the restaurant for its Cantonese authenticity, especially highlighting the soups, clams, and claypot rice. The consistent praise for “home-cooked” and “reminder of home in Canton” points to the heartfelt effort behind each dish. Portions are ample, prices fair, and the ambiance relaxed. While service may be modest, the food more than compensates.

In summary, First Taste is a gem for those seeking genuine Cantonese flavors with a wide menu spanning from comfort congee to decadent Peking duck. Its commitment to authenticity and generous servings make it a must-visit in Melbourne’s Chinese culinary scene. Whether you’re after the warming clay pot rice, intricate herbal pork ribs, or the simple pleasures of Hainanese chicken rice, First Taste delivers a flavorful journey that stays true to tradition and invites you back for more.