Ho Jiak has launched a spectacular three-storey Malaysian dining experience in Melbourne’s Bourke Street, combining hawker-style street food, a rooftop beer hall, and an experimental fine dining venue.
If you’re a Malaysian food lover in Melbourne, you’re in for a treat.
Chef Junda Khoo’s $7-million culinary vision has finally landed at the revamped Tivoli Arcade, now transformed into a destination that’s part Penang nostalgia, part modern dining theatre, and all flavour.
Contents
- 1 Quick Highlights of What You’ll Find at Ho Jiak Melbourne
- 2 What Is Ho Jiak Melbourne and Why Is It Special?
- 3 Level 1 – Ho Jiak: Junda’s Playground (Upscale Malaysian Dining)
- 4 Top Floor – Ho Liao: A Malaysian Beer Hall with Street Vibes
- 5 Ground Floor – Da Bao: A Homestyle Malaysian Takeaway Spot
- 6 Who Is Chef Junda Khoo?
- 7 Why I’ll Keep Coming Back
- 8 How Ho Jiak Fits Into Melbourne’s Dining Scene
- 9 Plan Your Visit to Ho Jiak Melbourne
- 10 FAQs
Quick Highlights of What You’ll Find at Ho Jiak Melbourne
- Location: Level 1, Rainbow Alley, Melbourne VIC 3000
- Hours:
Mon–Wed: 5pm–10pm
Thu–Sun: 12pm–3pm & 5pm–10pm
Public Holidays: Closed - Contact: 03 8637 0888 | [email protected]
- How to get there: Steps from Bourke Street Mall and the Free Tram Zone. Take any tram to Swanston St or Bourke St.
- Instagram-worthy dishes: Laksa Bombs, XO Butter Scallops, Moutai Roast Duck
What Is Ho Jiak Melbourne and Why Is It Special?
Ho Jiak Melbourne is a multi-level venue offering three distinct Malaysian dining experiences under one roof, created by acclaimed Sydney chef Junda Khoo.
Melbourne’s food scene just got a whole lot spicier. Chef Junda Khoo, a Penang-born, self-taught chef who left behind a finance career to chase laksa dreams, has brought his iconic brand Ho Jiak to Melbourne.
Known for redefining Nyonya cuisine in Sydney, Khoo now delivers his biggest project yet: three venues, one building, and an explosion of bold, fragrant Malaysian flavour.
Level 1 – Ho Jiak: Junda’s Playground (Upscale Malaysian Dining)
The first-floor restaurant offers refined, boundary-pushing Malaysian cuisine that fuses traditional recipes with modern techniques.
Opening June 13, 2025, this level is Khoo’s personal playground — a homage to Malaysia, but remixed with flair. Expect dishes like:
- Signature Laksa Bombs – Dumplings filled with chicken, prawn, egg, and vermicelli in laksa broth – $27
- Mooloolaba King Prawns with Makrut Lime & Honey – $42 (GF)
- MB4 Angus Short Rib with Vegemite & Pico de Gallo – $58
- Moutai Duck – 10-day dry-aged roast duck, glazed with Chinese liquor – $60 (GF)
- Mud Crab Caesar with Indomie Dressing – $32
📍 Location Tip: Head up one level from Rainbow Alley, and look for the ambient lighting and crisp linen — it’s the most intimate of the three floors.
Top Floor – Ho Liao: A Malaysian Beer Hall with Street Vibes
Ho Liao is a lively rooftop beer hall that reimagines Malaysian classics in a setting inspired by Taiwan and Indonesia’s late-night joints.
Here you’ll find punchy plates and ice-cold drinks in a laid-back setting. Great for groups or date nights. Try:
- Salted Duck Egg Squid – With curry leaves and butter
- Asam Barramundi – A twist on stingray with tangy tamarind
- Loh Bak Rolls – Pork and prawn wrapped in beancurd skin
- Southeast Asian Beers & Chrysanthemum Cocktails
🪑 Michelle’s Tip: It’s the best floor for sharing plates and after-work drinks. Don’t skip the XO scallops — they melt in your mouth.
Ground Floor – Da Bao: A Homestyle Malaysian Takeaway Spot
Da Bao offers rotating daily dishes for $15, letting diners choose three comforting Malaysian classics to go or enjoy on site.
This is Khoo’s tribute to “chap fan” stalls — affordable mixed rice places back home. Highlights include:
- Curry Chicken, Sambal Eggplant, Honey Fish – Choose 3 for $15
- Hainanese Chicken Rice
- Wok-tossed Indomie with Prawns and Fish Cake – a staff favourite made permanent
🚶♀️ Walk-In Friendly: No booking needed. Perfect for lunch breaks or takeaway before hopping on a tram.
Who Is Chef Junda Khoo?
Junda Khoo is a self-taught Malaysian-Australian chef and restaurateur known for redefining Nyonya cuisine in Sydney.
From Strathfield to Haymarket, Chatswood to Town Hall, Khoo’s Ho Jiak empire in Sydney has earned acclaim, including a Good Food Guide “Hat” and a Chef of the Year nomination in 2023.
What started as a tribute to his grandmother’s recipes has grown into a benchmark for Malaysian food in Australia.
📚 Fun Fact: Khoo taught himself to cook using just one cookbook and his grandmother’s memories.
Why I’ll Keep Coming Back
As a lifelong Melburnian and food lover, this is the most exciting new dining destination I’ve visited this year.
The contrast between each floor, from snacky, beer-ready small plates to rich heritage meals, means no two visits feel the same. But what unites all three is the soul of Penang in every bite.
You’re not just eating out, you’re stepping into a story. I recommend going hungry and curious.
How Ho Jiak Fits Into Melbourne’s Dining Scene
Ho Jiak adds a new dimension to Melbourne’s Asian food scene, combining heritage, storytelling, and serious culinary ambition.
Where most venues settle for nostalgic recreations of hawker food, Khoo dares to evolve the cuisine, and that makes all the difference. His trio of concepts feels like three different restaurants, not just three rooms in a building.
Plan Your Visit to Ho Jiak Melbourne
- 📍 Address: Level 1, Rainbow Alley, Melbourne VIC 3000 (Entrance via Bourke Street)
- 📅 Open Hours:
- Mon–Wed: 5pm–10pm
- Thu–Sun: 12pm–3pm & 5pm–10pm
- 🚇 How to get there: 1-minute walk from Bourke St Mall; Free Tram Zone
- 📞 Bookings & Info: 03 8637 0888 | [email protected]
- 🔗 Instagram: @hojiak
FAQs
What is Ho Jiak Melbourne?
Ho Jiak Melbourne is a three-level Malaysian dining destination in the CBD, created by chef Junda Khoo, offering street food, a rooftop beer hall, and contemporary fine dining.
It’s located inside the revamped Tivoli Arcade on Bourke Street and features three unique venues: Da Bao, Ho Liao, and Junda’s Playground — each with its own flavour and vibe.
Where exactly is Ho Jiak Melbourne located?
You’ll find Ho Jiak Melbourne at Level 1, Rainbow Alley, just off Bourke Street in Melbourne CBD.
The entrance is accessible from Bourke Street Mall and sits within the Free Tram Zone, making it super easy to reach by public transport.
What are the opening hours?
Ho Jiak Melbourne is open Monday to Wednesday from 5pm–10pm, and Thursday to Sunday from 12pm–3pm and 5pm–10pm.
They are closed on public holidays, so it’s worth planning your visit ahead.
Do I need a reservation?
You’ll need a reservation for Junda’s Playground and Ho Liao, but Da Bao is a walk-in-only takeaway venue.
If you’re planning a group dinner or weekend visit, booking is highly recommended, especially for the upper levels.
What type of food does Ho Jiak serve?
Ho Jiak serves Malaysian cuisine ranging from traditional hawker dishes to modern interpretations like Laksa Bombs and Moutai Duck.
You’ll find comforting favourites like Hainanese Chicken Rice and sambal eggplant, as well as innovative plates like foie gras sticky rice and Vegemite short ribs.
Looking for More Must-Try Restaurants in Melbourne?
If Ho Jiak has whetted your appetite for culinary discovery, there’s plenty more to explore across the city’s ever-evolving food scene.
From hidden laneway gems to award-winning kitchens, Melbourne is packed with flavour-driven destinations.
👉 Discover your next favourite spot in our curated guide to the best restaurants in Melbourne, featuring everything from fine dining institutions to casual local favourites.
