Where Chefs Eat: The Ramen Chain That “Nails It” Every Time, According to Alt’s Mino Han

Mino Han has range. As well as competing on season one of Netflix’s Korean cooking competition show Culinary Class Wars, Han also runs pasta bar Alt and bakery Time After Time, both in the CBD, along with brunch cafe Ummd in Seoul. We caught up with the chef to find out where (and what) he’s been eating in Melbourne lately. 

Favourite bakery 
Lune Croissanterie in Fitzroy. It just hits different. There are many places doing great croissants now, but there is something special about eating one at that venue. As a chef, I can truly appreciate the space and the level of precision while enjoying my croissant with an iced latte.

Go-to breakfast spot 
I go to Maker Coffee in Hardware Lane. It has the perfect morning vibe with great coffee. I have my venues around that area too, so I always walk past Maker to start my day. They always nail the temperature of the flat white, and I love that consistency.

Best place for a drink and snacks
Caretaker’s Cottage. It’s all about the vibe they provide. You can’t go wrong with the experience, and the quality of the cocktails is exceptional.

Date-night recommendation
Apollo Inn. For a date, I prefer somewhere small and intimate where you can really spend quality time together, and it provides everything you need for a special night with great food and a beautiful atmosphere. 

Favourite ice-cream or gelato spot 
I love Piccolina and I always get the same flavour: fior di latte. It gives you the perfect balance of sweetness and slight bitterness after a meal. I can never walk past without going in. 

Best bread
I like Baker Bleu. The variety they offer is excellent, and they never disappoint. Their ham and cheese is next level.

Best coffee
The coffee I’ve been most addicted to recently is the Tiger Bomb from Tone Coffee. There are hundreds of cafes selling their own version of creamy iced lattes – including mine – but I can’t think of anything better than the Tiger Bomb. It keeps me coming back.

Special occasion go-to
Reine and La Rue. I appreciate the space as much as the food when I dine out, and the way they set everything up – along with the service – always delivers a top-tier experience.

Best place to eat as a solo diner
This is my guilty pleasure – Ippudo at QV. Some people see it as a commercial brand, but every time I go for a quick meal, the team absolutely nails it, especially the seasoning. I always end up ordering too much.

Best place for a late-night feed 
It has to be Gimlet. I’m always proud to take friends there who haven’t been before. They’re amazed by the atmosphere and the classic flavours. Somehow, it just gets better as the night goes on.

Venue you’ve visited the most over the years
It has to be Pho Thin on Hardware Lane. It’s just so convenient to pop in and smash a bowl of rare beef pho. It takes less than five minutes from ordering to having it on the table, and it consistently delivers the same quality.

Venue you’d most like to collaborate with 
Tipo 00. It has been my role model restaurant since I was a junior chef and has always been an inspirational and iconic venue in the city. Now that we’ve established our own identity [at Alt], it would be incredibly fun to cook together.

Favourite regional restaurant 
Foxeys Hangout. I discovered it a long time ago and always take overseas visitors there when they’re in Melbourne. They showcase how simple, humble ingredients can taste amazing when they complement each other without unnecessary complexity. And of course, it’s even better paired with beautiful wines.

Bucket-list restaurant 
I would love to try Yiaga. Even reading articles about the restaurant inspires me. I’m very glad that venues like this exist. It’s raising the bar in our industry and showcasing the true beauty of hospitality.