Restaurant
Zabb Nua
275 King St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Find Zabb Nua
275 King St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Directions ↗*Opening hours may differ during holidays.
Book NowAbout Zabb Nua
King Street’s punchy answer to a Bangkok night market trades gentle curries for unapologetic Northeastern Thai heat. Downstairs, pestles strike mortars to order for spicy som tum, while the tight upstairs dining room hums with students and workers sharing plates over aluminium tables. The move is the num tok kor moo yang—charred, fatty pork jowl tossed in a sharp, lime-laced larb dressing—or crispy pork belly over rice topped with a soft omelette for well under twenty dollars. Even dishes ordered mild bring serious chili heat. To cut the sting, finish with kanompang ice cream tucked inside a sweet bun or a cold coconut juice.
- Uncompromising Isan Eats: Fermented fish som tum, fiery larb, and salt-baked barramundi leave standard westernized menus behind.
- Signature Pork Jowl: Charred pork jowl tossed with lime, herbs, and toasted rice powder delivers rich heat and crisp texture.
- Affordable CBD Lunches: Hearty plates of crispy pork belly, folded pad see ew, and saucy omelettes sit comfortably under $20.
What's On at Zabb Nua
Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.
No events or specials listed right now.
Why Diners Choose Zabb Nua
Unapologetic Isan heat, vibrant street food dishes, and high-value dining in the Melbourne CBD.
Authentic Isan Street Food Specialities
Zabb Nua serves uncompromising Isan specialities ranging from crispy salt-baked barramundi and tum luang prabang to nam tok kor moo yang, delivering intense sour, funky, and spicy flavour profiles.
Bold, funky, and unapologetically Thai — this is where sour, salty, and spicy collide perfectly.
Gena star Uncompromising Full-Intensity Chili Heat
The kitchen refuses to calibrate down its fiery Thai recipes for western palates, providing authentic chili heat across house noodles and wok-tossed basil dishes.
It was extremely Thai spicy but super delicious!
chua zhiyi Transported to Thailand's Street Markets
Diners are immediately reminded of bustling night markets and hidden Bangkok alleys through genuine aromas, street-style energy, and nostalgic Thai flavours.
so good that it didn’t feel like I’m eating abroad at all. It fell just like being in Thailand.
bl lilavanh Deeply Satisfying Flavour That Hits Right
Generous plates of bold, punchy stir-fries and marinated pork hit cravings without holding back on heat or rich street seasoning.
It’s one of those meals that’s simple but hits exactly right.
Amilliah Fast CBD Lunch Under $20
With lunch sets and main dishes priced under $20 alongside weekly Friday promotions, the kitchen provides rapid, filling meals right in Melbourne's city centre.
it was under $20 for a main which I thought was an amazing price.
Nathan Edwards Casual Street Stall Ambience
Two floors of tight seating, aluminum furniture, and visible ground-floor mortar-and-pestle cooking reproduce the lively atmosphere of an authentic Bangkok alley eatery.
Feels like a proper street food spot rather than a polished restaurant.
Amilliah
Most popular items
Signature Isan street food classics and fast CBD lunchtime favourites
Pad Kra Pao
The smell of holy basil and garlic was strong and delicious, and the pork was seasoned really well—mild, savoury, and just the right amount of heat. The egg had those crispy edges and a soft yolk, which added a nice texture when mixed with the rice.
Cindy Jöviānd Som Tum
The som tum had the perfect spice level we wanted. The lunch specials were great with plenty of choices which were all lovely.
Yumiko Yoshimizu Grilled Pork Jowl (Num Tok Kor Moo Yang)
The fattiness of the pork balanced well with the fresh and spiceyness of larb seasoning. Very impressed.
Nathan Edwards Salt-Baked Whole Barramundi
This Thai spot in Melbourne serve super authentic Thai food, including a salt-baked whole barramundi — crispy salted crust on the outside, juicy and tender on the inside. Absolutely delicious!
Fooodnom
Other favorites
Sweet street-style desserts and traditional beverages to complement the heat
Kanompang Ice Cream
It’s basically a Thai ice cream sandwich: a soft bun filled with scoops of coconut ice cream, topped with thick Thai tea syrup and sprinkled with crushed peanuts. It was so cold, sweet, and creamy—it honestly surprised me how much I enjoyed it.
Cindy Jöviānd Durian Sticky Rice
And if you save some room for dessert, I highly recommend ending your meal with the durian sticky rice. It’s the perfect finishing touch to a perfect meal
Kinako Chan Kanom Thuai Foy Thong
Steam pandan and coconut milk, pinched gold egg yolk
Noey Natnaree T. Thai Milk Tea
The Thai milk tea was good too. All at a fantastic price point.
Nathan Edwards
Before you head over
Practical advice on spice calibration, busy hours, and ordering for a seamless visit.
Calibrate your spice level with care
The kitchen is prepared to deliver full authentic Thai heat, and even mild orders pack noticeable chili. If you have a lower spice tolerance, request extra mild, or pair spicy mains with a sweet beverage or coconut-based dessert to balance the burn.
Book ahead or arrive right at opening
The venue gets packed quickly during lunch and dinner rushes, and street parking on weekend evenings is notoriously difficult to find. Book your table ahead or arrive right at opening time to secure seating without waiting.
Order via QR code and ask for condiments
Dining spans two floors with compact table spacing and street-stall aluminium seating. You can order directly at the counter or scan the QR code at your table, and make sure to ask staff directly if you need table condiments or extra sugar.
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