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Restaurant

The Rice Cooker

Shop 3/33 Flemington Rd, North Melbourne VIC 3051, Australia

Recommended by 71 people

Updated

Find The Rice Cooker

Shop 3/33 Flemington Rd, North Melbourne VIC 3051, Australia

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+61 3 9041 9190
HoursMonday: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM, 5:00 – 9:00 PM Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM, 5:00 – 9:00 PM Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM, 5:00 – 9:00 PM Thursday: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM, 5:00 – 9:00 PM Friday: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM, 5:00 – 9:00 PM Saturday: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM, 5:00 – 9:00 PM Sunday: Closed

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About The Rice Cooker

Perched opposite the Parkville medical precinct, this casual nook delivers comforting Southeast Asian hawker staples and fresh sushi at breakneck speed. Tables fill up quickly with hospital workers and neighborhood regulars chasing genuine wok hei. The kitchen turns out smoky char kway teow, crisp lemongrass chicken over rice, and torched salmon rolls without missing a beat. Portions are generous, service lands within minutes, and a rich bowl of soft-shell crab laksa offers welcome respite during a hectic day.

  • Wok classics meet sushi bar: Smoky char kway teow and salted fish vermicelli share the bill with torched nigiri and fresh dragon rolls.
  • Medical precinct respite: Located directly across from Royal Melbourne Hospital, serving speedy sit-down plates and takeout for tight breaks.
  • Fast workday pace: Generous bowls and prompt service make midday dining swift and stress-free.
RestaurantMalaysianJapaneseRestaurant

What's On at The Rice Cooker

Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Dine at The Rice Cooker

Why hospital visitors, local professionals, and Pan-Asian food lovers choose The Rice Cooker.

  • A Reliable Dining Haven Beside Major Hospitals

    Situated directly across from Royal Melbourne Hospital and nearby clinics, it offers patients, carers, and visitors dependable hot meals between hospital appointments or bedside visits.

    Came here for a quick bite to eat between medical appointments and couldn’t recommend it enough.

    Sandra Kontopoulos

  • Comfort and Sustenance for Visiting Loved Ones

    Carers and visiting family members find essential nourishment and warmth across long hospital vigils, from partner recovery stays to multi-day clinic visits.

    Made each day a little easier knowing I would have excellent food combined with kind service.

    Gret R

  • Speedy Service Tailored for Tight Lunch Breaks

    Wok dishes are prepared at rapid speed with tables turning food around in minutes, making it ideal for tight midday office or study intervals.

    the food came out within five minutes of ordering and was amazing

    Daedric Darling

  • Generous Portions and Daily Value

    Generous platefuls of hawker noodles, wok fried rice, and hearty lunch staples deliver substantial value for local workers and students.

    the food quality is decent for the price. The portions are generous as well.

    Y T

  • Authentic Hawker Wok Aromas and Flavours

    The kitchen delivers authentic Southeast Asian street classics like char kway teow and fried rice cooked with distinct wok hei smokiness.

    The special fried rice had a lovely wok hei, yummy char siew with every bite and succulent prawns to accompany the dish.

    Patricia Jee

  • Pan-Asian Hawker Meets Japanese Sushi Bar

    Alongside sizzling stir-fries and laksa, diners can enjoy blow-torched salmon nigiri, dragon rolls, and daily prepared sushi sashimi selections.

    Also love their sushi rolls and salmon sashimi - consistently fresh and delicious, reasonably priced too.

    Stephanie

Customer favorites featuring signature wok hawker specialties

  • Char Kway Teow

    The char kway teow is rich and smoky, capturing the essence of street food with its delightful combination of textures and flavours.

    Ben Adams

  • Lemongrass Chicken on Rice

    The lemongrass chicken with rice is by far my favourite dish, crispy skin with tender, succulent meat.

    Shana Waasdorp

  • Curry Laksa

    I got the Soft shell crab curry laksa and demolished the entire bowl.

    Sandra Kontopoulos

  • Beef Chow Fun

    my partner and I ordered the 'Beef Chow Fun Noodle' and 'Lemongrass Chicken on Rice' respectfully, also got Lotus Chips on the side, all which were delicious.

    Mitchel Sydekum

Other favorites

Appetizers, snacks, and sides to accompany your meal

  • Dumplings

    The dumplings are an unassuming side dish with delicious filling.

    Patricia Jee

  • Lotus Chips

    also got Lotus Chips on the side, all which were delicious.

    Mitchel Sydekum

  • Popcorn chicken

    Popcorn chicken, Roti wraps and Nasi Goreng are my go-to.

    Pratik Pakrashi

  • Roti wraps

    Popcorn chicken, Roti wraps and Nasi Goreng are my go-to.

    Pratik Pakrashi

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to book in advance for lunch?

Weekday lunch gets particularly busy between 12:15 PM and 1:00 PM. Booking ahead is recommended, especially for large groups, though arriving before 12:00 PM or 1:00 PM can help secure a table. The restaurant accepts reservations.

How fast is the food served?

Yes, diners report very quick turnarounds, with orders often arriving in 5 to 15 minutes, making it suitable for quick workday breaks or visits between hospital appointments.

Are vegetarian options available or customizable?

The kitchen can accommodate dietary needs by adjusting non-vegetarian menu items into vegetarian options, and the venue offers dedicated vegetarian choices including vegetarian laksa.

What are the portion sizes like?

Portions are generous and satisfying across rice and noodle dishes, offering good value for money without skimping on meat and toppings.

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