Able to seat up to 130 people in its 200 meter square space, Ripples Seafood & BBQ Restaurant was established in 2006 by owner Lin Cheng. Offering both dine-in and carry-out, the restaurant quickly became one of the more popular dining options among the locals. Entering Ripples, you will feel as if you had just walked into a Chinese art exhibition as the interior of the restaurant is adorned with magnificent works of art and a energizing Asian vibe. According to the owner, one of the paintings that patrons will see hanging in the restaurant is a beautiful Chinese scenery painting with a height of 1.8 meters and a width of 12 meters. Covering the front wall of the restaurant, this masterpiece is a favorite of many customers, “Some customers gaze at this painting then turn to me to tell me how wonderful it is. A few have even remarked that it made them feel calm, as if they were having a transcendental experience,” boasts Cheng.
Ripples is tightly packed with tables that have a clear view of the seafood tanks. Patrons will be in awe as they gaze around the splendid interior. Roasted ducks line the front windows treating all those present to a culinary sight guaranteed to make mouths water. Sides of roast pork accompany the roasted ducks, ready to be eaten in the restaurant or to be delivered to those living nearby. Popular for its dim sum, Ripples also attracts those looking for Chinese favorites such as the restaurant’s bubbling hot pot dishes that are affordably priced and every bit as much a feast for the eyes as it is for the stomach.
Serving mainly traditional Chinese food, the restaurant provides a plethora of scrumptious Chinese offerings which are sure to delight hungry diners. Not just offering a huge menu, Ripples also goes a bit further by using strict preparation methods to prepare each dish. A fan of the recent healthy dining trend, Mr. Cheng makes sure that all dishes prepared at the restaurant contain as little oil and grease as possible. This translates to an absence of greasy spoons which is something that many patrons who are tired of greasy food are looking for. Not choosing to leave anything to chance, Mr. Cheng has a complicated system in place to ensure that the restaurant’s dishes are always consistent in taste. His goal is and always has been to give patrons a taste of authentic Chinese food while also looking out for their health. The chef also shares his thoughts on quality and cooks every dish as if he was cooking it for his own family.
Dim Sum is one of the most popular offerings at Ripple’s because of the sheer number of dim sum items available. With dozens of dim sum offerings including Har Gaw and Siu Mai, the restaurant offers the old standbys of the dim sum world while also providing customers with unique dim sum creations such as Gold Fish Dumpling and Spinach Dumpling. Bursting with filling, customers are sometimes quite surprised at how filling the dim sum offerings can be, “We make our dim sum items more filling because we know the customers prefer to have larger dim sum items,” Cheng reveals. Staying authentic is important to Mr. Cheng but he also does make adjustments to dishes when it comes to pleasing those with different dining preferences. Some religions do not advocate eating pork and so Mr. Cheng uses chicken instead of pork in its dumplings. Besides just satisfying those who do not eat pork, he believes that chicken is healthier and therefore did not hesitate to make the adjustment.
Boasting a menu with over 200 delicious offerings, many customers aren’t sure what to order at first. But, after taking a further look many opt to try the BBQ Roasted Duck. One of Ripple’s signature dishes, BBQ Roasted Duck is “done boneless” and drizzled over with sauces that bring out an unforgettable taste sure to please even the most jaded foodie. Vegetarians need not avoid Ripple’s as many dishes can be prepared vegetarian. Imitation meat can be used to replace beef and pork while fresh mushrooms and leafy greens can be added to dishes to help further balance them. Of course, those aren’t the only changes that can be made to dishes. Cheng encourages customers with specific dining preferences to make their needs known to the wait staff who will then pass on the message to the kitchen. All dishes can be adjusted and the kitchen staff is always happy make a dish exactly how a diner wants it.
Service is anything but an afterthought at Ripples. Mr. Cheng has always stressed the importance of providing good service to every member of Ripple’s close-knit team and the approach has paid off. Employees always make sure to treat each guest like family. Delivery is also available for those that aren’t able to make it out to the restaurant. Those looking to enjoy a delicious Chinese feast at home can rest assured that by ordering from Ripple’s, they will always receive their food steaming hot. Fast and accurate delivery service is a hallmark of the restaurant and has helped Ripple’s gain a number of customers over the years.
Owner’s Message
Chinese restaurants have been big in Australia or over 20 years now and while that is good there are some problems that come with popularity. A lot of restaurants offer similar fare which makes it hard for foodies to find places that offer new, original choices. You’ll often see dishes like Lemon Chicken at restaurants but of course sometimes people just want something new. At Ripples, we know this and have responded by adding a number of Cantonese specialties to our menu in order to show local foodies another side of Chinese cuisine. We are thankful for all the support over the years and will continue to bring new items to the menu in order to inspire and satisfy all our guests.
Ripples Seafood & BBQ Restaurant
Location: 40-42 Glenferrie Rd., Malvern, VIC 3144
Phone: 03-9509-5365
Offers: Take-out, Delivery
Cuisine: Chinese Cuisine
Signature Dishes: BBQ Roasted Duck, Roast Pork, Dim Sum
Year of Establishment: 2006
