If you think you need to travel to the CBD for a bustling atmosphere, awesome tunes, excellent service, and outrageously delicious food, you’re mistaken.
Bang Bang, the latest eatery to hit Hampton, not only rivals the famous Asian city eateries, it trumps them (and a fraction of the cost).
Even on a dark and cold wintery evening, I can spot the flamboyant restaurant from across the road. There’s incessant chatter of punters sprawled on tables outside, and when I walk in, I feel like I’m entering a party zone (even on a school night)
Drop down lamp shades, brightly coloured drapes and a south East Asian hawker style market interior mixes sweetly with the ‘mod-aus’ touches. Not an empty table in sight, I spot the kitchen at the back instantly, as my nose is captivated by the wafting smells of Asian spices. Amongst the loud music and banter of frivolously laughing diners are the sounds of electric cocktails rattling with gust and passion. Suddenly Wednesday ‘hump day’ has become my favourite day.
Enthusiastic waitstaff float around glowingly, like footloose and fancy free backpackers without a care in the world. Yet still attentive to all our needs. Their radiating positive energy is infectious, and we can’t help but smile and giggle. Banging cocktails like the Chilli Chilli Bang Bang steal the show. A lethally potent mix of green jalapeno and lime with a chilli salt flares my nostrils in the most fun way.
Oysters on ice 
Cocktails and Kingfish
To match, the menu is inspired by the chefs worldly South East Asian travel adventures of hawker style dishes from different countries. Start with a black garlic and ponzu oyster, a theatrical steaming nitrogen ice. Puffy white clouds of coconut cream sit on top a of a delicate cured kingfish. The soft airy flavours balance superbly with a citrus yuzu and chilli kick.
Sichuan eggplant is a serious contender as one of Melbourne’s new best dishes. Whether you’re a fan of the versatile vegetable or not, is not a requirement for its decadent enjoyment. Somewhat reminiscent of a banana fritter, it’s crispy fried sitting inside a thick sticky sweet batter skin with a nutty sesame topping and crisp fried shallots. The fact that each bite probably contains a gazillion calories, and that a serving for two could feed a small army, makes zero difference to the empty plate thar remains.
Humpty Doo Barra
While the winter chills outside, nothing is more nourishing than a creamy robust laksa broth filled with a chunky fillet of humpty doo barramundi. This warming flavoursome dish packed with Asian greens hits the spot on a cold evening.
All in all, what certainly wasn’t expected in the burbs came a knockout experience with sensational food, outstanding cocktails and a kick arse vibe. Who needs the city –wham bam thank you Bang Bang!
Bang Bang
315 Hampton St, Hampton 3188
Mon – Thurs From 5PM – Late , Fri – Sun -12PM – Late (Kitchen closed 3PM – 5PM)
