K-Pop Famous Korean Sandwiches At Dari
Korean restaurants are all over the place in Melbourne, but Korean cafes are few and far between. The only long-established one I can think of is Milkcow but even that isn't truly a cafe so much as a dessert bar that calls itself one. Sori Cafe in Kensington does serve some Korean dishes but considering it's only open for dinner, it's not quite a cafe.
So naturally, Dari Korean Cafe on Hardware Lane is a welcome addition to Melbourne's dining scene. The fact that it's one of the few local restaurants of its kind is just one of the reasons why Dari is so refreshing. Another is because it's the only place in Melbourne (or Australia, as far as I'm aware) to get your hands on an inkigayo sandwich.
This thick stack of egg salad, creamy slaw, strawberry jam and several slices of white bread was made famous by K-pop idols. At Dari, it's even named the Idol Sandwich after the celebrities who brought it into the spotlight. It may sound off-putting to some, but there are so many great dishes that combine sweet and savoury in unconventional ways. This is just one to add to the list. Think of it as the Korean equivalent of a Southern American breakfast sandwich slathered with jam and dripping with cheese.
Another highlight at Dari is their made-to-order beer-battered muffins, which also have a subtle cornbread taste that's also comparable to what you might find in Southern USA. But the filling is what sets them apart - they're stuffed with a whole egg and mayo (and ham if you choose) and take around 20 minutes but are well worth the wait.
You can't pass up the drinks at Dari, which come in a range of cold and hot, vegan and not, sweet and less-so. The pumpkin pie latte is one of the most popular drinks and tastes exactly like it sounds. Meanwhile, the Job's Tears is a stark contrast, with a nutty and earthy flavour and chunky texture, yet just as worth a try.
The dessert options are just as innovative as any of the savoury dishes. While the soy and rice cake toast is the most Instagrammed dessert at Dari, it shouldn't overshadow the Korean tiramisu, which also features soy powder and mochi layered with rich, soy-tinted mascarpone and cream.
While Dari fuses the culture and cuisines of various countries and time periods (their menu references "80's flavour") the cafe is Korean at its core, and it shines through in a unique way. Dari is open for day trade as well as for dinner and drinks on Thursday through Saturday.
Korean restaurants are all over the place in Melbourne, but Korean cafes are few and far between. The only long-established one I can think of is Milkcow but even that isn't truly a cafe so much as a dessert bar that calls itself one. Sori Cafe in Kensington does serve some Korean dishes but considering it's only open for dinner, it's not quite a cafe.
