Restaurant
Ulam Rasa
295 Exhibition St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Find Ulam Rasa
295 Exhibition St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Directions ↗*Opening hours may differ during holidays.
Book NowAbout Ulam Rasa
Ulam Rasa delivers uncompromising regional Indonesian comfort food right to Exhibition Street. Melburnians craving genuine cita rasa skip the watered-down fusion and crowd in for plates anchored by pungent, fragrant sambal. The kitchen works at serious pace—crispy tapioca cireng, savory squid simmered in black ink, and fragrant nasi ulam arrive fast at generous tables. Clean, spacious, and far from cramped CBD quarters, the bright room lets you linger over cold brew kopi susu gula jawa without feeling rushed.
- Regional Indonesian Staples: Authentic regional staples like Nasi Ulam, Nasi Cumi Hitam, and chewy tapioca cireng served with punchy sambal.
- Spacious Dining Room: Generous tables, spotlessly clean surroundings, and an uncrowded dining room offering room to breathe.
- Prompt, Welcoming Service: Friendly floor staff and an agile kitchen team turn out steaming, well-portioned plates with impressive speed.
What's On at Ulam Rasa
Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.
No events or specials listed right now.
Why Dine at Ulam Rasa
Authentic regional recipes, swift service, and genuine hospitality in the Melbourne CBD
Regional Indonesian Specialties
Ulam Rasa showcases rare regional dishes like Nasi Ulam, Nasi Pecel Madiun, and Empal Gentong alongside signature crispy cireng tapioca fritters.
The only place that I can find cireng in Melbourne so far. Rice dishes are all very good.
MTWTFSS Homestyle Comfort Flavors
Dishes are prepared with authentic seasonings, rich jus, and bold sambals that deliver true homestyle Indonesian cooking.
The dishes taste homemade and comforting, just like real Indonesian cooking should be.
Angel Koejayatomo Nostalgic Tastes of Home
Familiar dishes and seasonal nostalgic offerings connect diners with fond memories of Indonesian home cooking.
transport you to Indonesia for a moment
Anabelle Nouvel Heartfelt Owner Hospitality
Diners are embraced by attentive, hospitable owner-operators who create a personal and caring dining environment.
the owners are incredibly sweet and welcoming, which made the whole experience even better.
Olivia Swift and Efficient Service
Orders arrive rapidly from the kitchen, making it effortless to enjoy a complete meal during a quick city break.
Super fast service. The team was very friendly, quick and seem to work together really well
Samuel Kanagaraj Comfortable, Uncramped Space
The CBD dining space offers generous room and a spotless, relaxed setting suited for casual solo meals or group catch-ups.
Plenty of seating and it's not so cramped up.
Yousif
Most popular items
Customer favorites and regional Indonesian rice specialties
Nasi Ulam
This is the new Indonesian kid on the block and I was recommended to try the nasi ulam which really hit the spot. The rice has crispy coconut on top, the beef is fried and full of flavour, there’s a ramekin with stewed tofu in a sauce that’s perfect to pour over the rice, and the fried vermicelli and peanut sambal complete the plate.
Gee Gee Nasi Cumi Hitam
The Nasi Cumi Hitam is another must-try, packed with rich, bold flavours that you’ll keep thinking about.
Olivia Nasi Ayam Kaldu
Nasi ayam kaldu: perfectly fried chicken
Hanmo Li Telur Barendo
The Telur Barendo is an absolute must-order—so fluffy on the inside with the crispiest lacy edges. It was easily my favourite dish!
Olivia
Other favorites
Appetizers, street-food bites, and refreshing beverages
Cireng Sambal Rujak
Crunchy light batter on the outside and a rather chewy mochi like texture on the inside. Dipping it in the sambal which is slightly sweet and not that spicy, elevates the fritter and cuts through the richness.
Shaun D'Monte Risoles Sayur
Risoles sayur was so addictive! I know it looks like it does not have much filling, but it is just nice to my liking.
Eveline SS Batagor
crispy fried fish and chicken dumplings: really yummy!
Hanmo Li Kopi Susu Gula Jawa
This was washed down by a hit of coffee, fresh milk, and a palm sugar syrup, ice, which is excellent refreshing drink.
Shaun D'Monte
Beyond the menu
Thoughtful hospitality and dining touches that elevate authentic Indonesian meals in the CBD
Self-Serve Sauce and Condiment Station
A dedicated station lets guests independently customize their plates with water, extra sauces, and condiments to their personal heat preference.
Proactive Rain Table Holding
When diners called ahead during heavy rain without a booking, staff proactively held a table ready for their arrival.
Direct Owner-Chef Table Visits
Owner and chef Jess makes time to step out and personally check in with tables even during peak, packed meal services.
Festive Cultural Specials
The kitchen serves celebratory regional festival dishes like Opor Ayam and Rendang alongside cantaloupe ice for holiday feasts away from home.
Before you head over
Practical advice on reservations, self-serve stations, and ordering to get the best out of your visit.
Book ahead or arrive early for evening dining
The dining area fills up quickly during peak evening rushes, creating queues outside. Book a table ahead—especially on weekends or for groups—or arrive early around 5:45 PM to settle in comfortably.
Customize at the self-serve condiment bar
Take advantage of the self-serve condiment station to customize your meal with complimentary water and extra sauces without having to flag down staff.
Explore hard-to-find regional specialties
For a rare find in Melbourne, look beyond standard fare and try hard-to-find regional specialties like Nasi Pecel Madiun, Empal Gentong, or crispy Cireng Sambal Rujak.
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