Mu Lan Restaurant, not your ordinary Chinese cuisine




Situated in North Hobart in the old Jacobson's Butchery is the very modern Mu Lan restaurant with a unique and traditional take on Chinese cuisine.

The restaurant has modern decor with a very uncluttered feel. Clean and cosy with a large upstairs dining area, packed full on this particular Saturday night.Staff were friendly, well presented and spoke English well and were fairly attentive on this busy evening, although we did have to request drinks twice.

Now for the food!!A wide range of mains were available, with chicken, lamb, beef, seafood, duck and vegetarian all on offer. Mains ranged from $22 to $34, although vegetarian were much cheaper $12 to $18.

We went for the traditional chicken and corn soup ($8) as this is something we both enjoy and love to compare at all Chinese restaurants, this one matched up to be one of the top ones

Entrees ranged from $8 to $18, with vegetarian options, dumplings were also on offer, but don't expect any prawn crackers or dim sims here.

Our choice for the night was the honey chicken $22 and the Yu Xiang pork $24, with fried rice $12. The honey chicken was exactly that, with the exception of the usual excessive batter, this was tossed in corn flour then fried, covered in sesame seeds and an unusual added ingredient, walnuts! To be honest there was really nothing special about it, although the chicken was delightfully tender. The pork was superb with amazing flavors that made you keep eating more. The fried rice was good with large pieces of perfectly cooked bacon, and large prawn pieces, on the down side it did contain a piece of wire from a pot scourer which completely ruined the dish.

Everything was well presented in modern serving plates and bowls with the traditional chop sticks.  Deserts ranged from $6 to $9 and included some favorites such as deep fried ice cream and banana fritter. the home made green tea ice cream would be a refreshing way to finish.

A good selection of wines by the glass were available, with the sparkling only $5, beer however was a bit dearer than the average restaurant at $8 a stubbie for most.

Altogether a good dining experience but due to the pot scourer piece that wasn't ordered I can only give Mu Lan a 3 out of 5 instead of a 4. well worth a visit and recommended for a pleasant night out for dinner.

Open Monday to Saturday for dinner at 343 Elizabeth street North Hobart, phone 62 313609