quote Solid value, generous portions, with room for small improvements I had a really enjoyable meal at Nan Yang Express Hawthorn. I especially liked the braised pork trotter rice, which was rich and comforting, as well as the fish fillet thin noodles, clean in flavour and very satisfying. The portion sizes are generous, and with most dishes sitting around $20 per person, this place strikes a very reasonable balance between value for money and taste. It’s not flashy food, but it’s honest, filling, and well executed. The food was served very quickly, which was a big plus — though this may also be because we were among the first customers to arrive. That said, there is some room for improvement in the dining experience. I had to spend a bit of time finding the menu, as no one introduced the ordering process, and cutlery was self-serve in a designated area, which wasn’t explained either. Once you know the system it’s fine, but clearer guidance would make the first visit smoother. Overall, still a solid and affordable option, and definitely worth a try, especially if you enjoy comforting, no-nonsense meals.

G

quote August 2025: What a great find. Was walking along the lane towards Glenferrie train station when I noticed this restaurant. Apparently, it opened only 6 months prior. I am local and was not aware of this new establishment. Very pleased to see this restaurant in this location. The Penang White Curry Mee is not a dish you find in most Malaysian restaurants in Melbourne. I was pleasantly surprised to see a photo of this dish (amongst other great dishes) on their front wall. That's not all, it is priced much less than asian dishes prior to 2020. Congratulations to the owners of this restaurant for making it affordable for students and locals alike who seek out & enjoy genuine Malaysian Chinese cuisine. Will definitely be back to sample all the other dishes with friends. The staff members are very friendly and attentive. They will answer any questions you may have with a smile. I really enjoyed dining here. I highly recommend this restaurant 👌

Kien

quote Is $10 for food in this economy even a thing? At Nanyang Express you can eat meals for as cheap as $10. Every time I walk by, the restaurant is always buzzing with people and for good reason. Even though it’s busy, the food still comes out pretty quickly. The staff were fabulous, super friendly and efficient. And the food itself should have been way more expensive for the price I paid. Great value, tasty, and filling. I’d definitely come back here whenever I want a cheap eat or need something quick. This place deserves a lot more praise.

YMZ

quote Hands down the best place to get a yummy meal for $10, a gem 💎 in Hawthorn. I love the nasi lemak with chicken curry, great sambal. 👍 And my favourite dish for the winter time is claypot egg noodle, soooo tasty soup and it's not because of msg! Also the fish balls are so smooth and meat balls tasty. They offer a big range of malaysian dishes too, from kolo Mee to chee cong fun, WOW! This place is very compact, few seating so not suitable for big group. And always a queue at lunch time, just shows how popular it is.

Aiji Zhan

quote Best in town! What a hidden gem. Food is yummy, generous and authentic (speaking from a foodie coming from East Malaysia), and so affordable. Small place but will be lucky if no long Q. Clean and quick service. Couldn’t fault anything for this place. The menu and the price really excites me. But be aware, due to the affordability, you can easily over order what you can finish so please have self control as you walk into the place.

Jmom