Budget-friendly Taiwanese food at Mother Chu's on Dixon St

Stable, convenient and diverse Taiwanese cuisine

There is nothing overly decorative to Mother Chu’s Taiwanese Gourmet. Compared to restaurants in the Haymarket neighbourhood which feature neon lights, live music or engaging interior designs, this family-owned venue stands steadfastly basic.

The noodle soups are light and nourishing

Basic is what is fantastic about Mother Chu’s, and is likely a contributing reason to its longevity (they were established in 1991). Whilst it may be popular for restaurants to invest heavily in marketing, foodie collaborations and striking decor, Mother Chu’s doubles down on its foundational selling point: budget-friendly and reliable meals.

Mother Chu’s has weathered thick and thin here since 1991

Mother Chu's is a family owned gem in Haymarket's Chinatown

As Alan Chu (the owner) puts it: “Our kitchen creates food for every day meals”. There is a no-fuss quality to the ambience and service. The ordering menu is accessed via QR code on each table (or via a physical menu) and the dishes arrive efficiently. At lunch and dinner times, it’s routine for local workers in Chinatown to come and slurp down a bowl of noodles or wolf down a plate of fried rice. Mother Chu’s is the kind of restaurant that feels familiar and friendly.

Lunches are quick, easy and tasty

The menu is huge, so I’d recommend ordering by category if you want to try different dishes. From the rice section, the Grounded Pork Mince Sauce bowl is a classic. From the noodle section, you can’t go wrong with the Deep Fried Pork Chop soup noodle. If you’re after some dumplings, there are steamed, fried and vegetarian varieties. For a Taiwanese breakfast-style dish, the congee with fried bread doughstick is a must-try.

It’s testament to the quality of Mother Chu’s kitchen that it is able to produce so many dishes whilst maintaining consistent and delicious flavour. See the yumminess in this Tiktok video. Check-out their Instagram here.