Mr Lee's Foods

When a 20-seater restaurant in the heart of suburbia offers only three dishes, has no reservations, no website, and no advertising, you know it has to be good. If you like pork, Mr. Lee's Foods is well worth the trip to Ringwood; all dishes are derived from this magnificent animal, providing a delicious insight into the economical traditions of Korean dining, utilizing an unconscious, innately cultural nose-to-tail philosophy. Needless to say, this is a no-go zone for vegetarians.

Mr. Lee's version is a South Korean variation in which glass noodles serve as a binding agent (rather than flour, rice, or oats in Europe) for the garlic and ginger-spiked blood, which is steamed in its natural pig intestine casing. The end result is a swollen, glossy, mildly flavored, bouncy sausage that comes sliced, alongside steamed slivers of liver and fatty intestine ready to be dipped in roasted sesame salt or an umami bomb of salted, fermented baby shrimp.

It may be intimidating to get on the Eastern Freeway and drive 45 minutes out of the city, only to dine at a mostly self-service, all-Korean restaurant specializing in offal, where English is the second language. Venture outside of the city grid, prepare yourself to try something different and you’ll be rewarded with the perfect simplicity of Korean comfort food.

Location: 5 Old Lilydale Road, Ringwood East Victoria 3135

More information: https://www.zomato.com/melbourne/mr-lees-food-ringwood