There’s an old saying about grocery shopping: never shop when you’re hungry.
But at Foodle Asian Grocery + Kitchen, it’s impossible not to be tantalised by its well-stocked aisles of Asian delicacies and the heady aroma of Asian cuisine coming from the kitchen in the one amazing location.
Australia’s second Foodle store opened recently within the Lower Ground Food Hall at The Glen shopping centre in Glen Waverley, which already has a lively food scene.
The Glen’s Foodle joins its first at Maribyrnong’s Highpoint shopping centre, which opened in 2023, with plans for a third store in Victoria by mid-2025.
As odd as the concept might appear at first glance, it’s a seamless operation that incorporates fresh fruit and veg, two butchers, fresh and live seafood and a spacious dining area that caters for a swathe of small kitchens to keep even the pickiest of eaters satisfied.
There’s a Japanese street food kitchen that includes a sushi bar, a teppanyaki grill and freshly prepared yakisoba. There is also a Korean doughnut bakery, and kitchens offering Chinese-style beef noodle soup, Chinese barbecue and a wide range of dishes from China, Malaysia, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand and Hong Kong.
Some dishes are ready to serve, while others are cooked fast and fresh while you wait. House-made meat skewers, dumplings, steamed buns and many other street treats round out the extensive menu.
This place is a big, bright expression of love for the culinary gems of our northern neighbours.
My companion and I popped into Foodle to take a look but we stayed for the scents and buzz coming from the busy kitchens along one wall.
I tucked into a piping hot, authentic char kuay teow with plenty of prawns and red sausage, while my companion enjoyed a spicy beef noodle soup with hand-made noodles and a pleasing chilli hit. Both dishes well and truly hit the spot.
The meals are keenly priced, tasty and, judging by the volume of customers during our visit, very popular.
Use Foodie Asian Grocery + Kitchen as the ultimate food inspo. Try what the experts serve while you’re there, grab the ingredients you need and replicate your favourites at your place.
