First Taste
Footscray, Victoria, Australia
Discover First Taste, a top-rated Chinese restaurant in Footscray VIC. Enjoy authentic dishes, dine-in, takeout, or delivery. Check hours, menu & reviews.
104 Hopkins St, Footscray VIC 3011, Australia
First Taste
Footscray, Victoria, Australia
Overview
First Taste is a warmly casual Chinese restaurant located at 104 Hopkins St, Footscray VIC. Known for its authentic Cantonese flavors and comforting claypot dishes, it offers a delightful dining experience for those craving traditional recipes with a modern touch. The welcoming atmosphere makes it suitable for group gatherings as well as solo dining adventures.
With a menu featuring healthy options, quick bites, and small plates, First Taste caters to a variety of palates and occasions. Customers can enjoy lunch or dinner either onsite, as takeaway, or via delivery, all served with care in a friendly environment. The restaurant boasts popular dishes like the Black Pepper Beef Fillet Rice Hot Pot and the iconic Hainanese Chicken Rice, backed by a solid 4-star rating from over 220 reviews.
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Real shots of the food, atmosphere, and signature dishes at this location.
Local favorites
This casual Chinese restaurant is favored for its authentic Cantonese flavors and diverse menu, perfect for lunch, dinner, or a quick bite.
Popular menu items like Black Pepper Beef Fillet Rice Hot Pot and Szechuan Seafood in Clay Pot receive rave reviews for their rich taste and authenticity.
Welcoming to groups and families, the casual setting makes it an excellent spot for gatherings with good portions and kid-friendly meals.
Offering dine-in, takeout, delivery, and onsite services to suit various preferences and schedules.
Open daily except Monday, First Taste provides flexible lunch and dinner hours ideal for both casual and solo dining.
Celebrated for home-style Cantonese cooking, including specialties like pork ribs in herb broth and XO prawn ball rice claypot.
Located at 104 Hopkins St with free street parking nearby, making visits hassle-free in the vibrant Footscray area.
Well-priced meals between $20–40 offer generous portions and high-quality ingredients.
Experience
Perfect for casual meals whether dining alone or gathering with friends, First Taste shines during lunch and dinner hours, offering flavorful dishes to satisfy every craving.
Discover the joy of authentic Cantonese claypot rice, freshly made soups, and stirring seafood specialties in a relaxed setting. The attentive table service paired with quick delivery and takeout options ensures flexibility for any dining preference. — FoodPlacee editorial note
Enjoy a variety of signature dishes with friends or family in the casual and comfortable atmosphere, ideal for sharing flavorful plates and lively conversations.
Take advantage of quick table service or convenient takeout during lunch hours to recharge with satisfying and wholesome Chinese meals.
Opt for delivery or takeaway to enjoy beloved dishes like the XO prawn balls or Sweet and Sour Chicken in the comfort of home.
A relaxing dinner spot providing authentic Cantonese cuisine with specialty soups and claypot rice that warm the soul after a long day.
Savor a quiet meal with healthy small plates or a comforting soup, perfect for those dining solo seeking great food without fuss.
Guest sentiment
A snapshot of what local diners frequently mention about this location.
"Tried chicken mushroom claypot, prawn ball claypot, kangkung belacan. All tasted yummy. Good flavour, although they night not cook the rice in the Hot pot. Recommended place to eat"
"Finally got to try the Claypot rice... I was actually thinking of trying this dish for a year, unfortunately there is no such restaurant in my city. We went a bit over past lunch time on a Saturday, so it was not crowded. These dishes are really tasty. Also they have homemade chilli sauce, and you can buy it as well."
"OMG their claypot rice is a must order! Plump shrimp balls, and smothered in sauce. The rice at the bottom became crispy after a while - best part. I think the trick here is to add (a lot) more sauce and chilli sauce available on the table. The leftover rice is perfect for fried rice, and taste as good on the next day. I saw other tables are also ordering wonton noodles soup - they look as tasty - I'll definitely come back for them!"
"Delicious meals, good portions and comfy vibe! Plenty of options to choose from on the menu - would recommend XO prawnball rice claypot and dumpling soup, both super tasty"
"Wow so impressed. It's the hometown flavour. Best Cantonese food. Very very authentic. Hats off to the chef. The clams are so good. Love the fried rice noodles. The steam soup are such a reminder of home in Canton. Highly recommend. We have been back here three days in a row while we are in Melbourne!!! The toilet is super clean."
"Such a hidden gem in Footscray! Their claypot rice and fried rice are seriously delicious. The salted fish has that classic “Mui Heung 霉香” aged aroma — honestly, I can’t even find that true 80s/90s-style flavour back in Hong Kong anymore* but this place somehow delivers it. The double-boiled soup is rich and packed with ingredients, yet it’s comforting and not overly salty (you don’t feel thirsty after). Prices are also very affordable, amazing value for money. This has become my weekly go-to for authentic Cantonese comfort food. Highly recommended!"
"Best Cantonese food in Melbourne! We don’t have this level of authenticity foods in Adelaide at all. The soups. Wow. The fried stuff. Wow. The clams. The pot rice! Yummmm! Next time we visit Melbourne will definitely come back to try other dishes in the menu. Well priced for such quality authentic food and the portions are great too. Free yummy tea. Clean toilets."
"I tried the Prawn Ball and Tofu Rice Claypot over 12 months ago, I did like it. This time I tried XO Sauce Prawn Ball. The sauce was really nice, not salty and not as hot as I was afraid of. It was just right for my taste as I'm not a chilli eater. As usual, the bottom of the claypot the rice formed a yellow crispy crust which are crunchy. However, it takes time to chew them if you don't want to break your teeth . For the drink, I ordered the Cogongrass, Carrot, Water Chestnut and Sugar Cane Juice which is really nice and supposedly calming/cooling your inner system ."
Visit info
Weekly hours below — always confirm with the business before holidays or special events.
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 10:30 AM - 09:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 10:30 AM - 09:00 PM |
| Thursday | 10:30 AM - 09:00 PM |
| Friday | 10:30 AM - 09:00 PM |
| Saturday | 10:30 AM - 09:00 PM |
| Sunday | 10:30 AM - 09:00 PM |
Ideal times to enjoy First Taste with manageable crowds and fresh dishes for lunch or dinner.
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Questions answered
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Menus, prices, hours, services, and availability may change. Please contact the food place directly before visiting or ordering.