A tiny Malaysian diner delivering wok hei perfection and some of the best char koay teow in Melbourne.

Lulu’s: A Love Letter to the Wok

Lulu’s Char Koay Teow is exactly the kind of place you’d walk past if you didn’t know better — a modest shopfront, a handful of tables, and a kitchen that never seems to stop moving. Inside, the air hums with the sound of sizzling woks, spatulas clanging and the smell of garlic, soy and smoke hitting the air in waves. It’s the kind of energy that tells you something good is about to hit the plate.

The team here doesn’t try to reinvent Malaysian food. They just do it right, every time, with proper heat, fresh ingredients and respect for balance. It’s the real deal, no shortcuts, no gimmicks.

Char Koay Teow, Done the Right Way

The signature dish is the Penang-style char koay teow — rice noodles fried fast and hot with prawns, Chinese sausage, bean sprouts and egg, all catching just enough char to lock in that unmistakable smoky depth. Each plate comes with layers of texture: chewy noodles, crisp sprouts and tender seafood, all bound together by a savoury, slightly sweet sauce that lingers just enough. You can smell the wok hei before it even lands at your table.

Other favourites like the Hokkien noodles, laksa and nasi lemak hold their own, but the char koay teow is what people line up for. Portions are generous, the turnover is fast, and you’ll see regulars eating solo at the counter as often as groups of friends crammed into the back corner.

Local Favourite, Cult Following

There’s no fuss here — just good, honest Malaysian food that hits every craving you didn’t realise you had. The drinks are simple, the service is quick and warm, and the focus stays firmly on the food. Lulu’s has become one of those places that locals protectively recommend, the kind of restaurant that doesn’t need PR because word of mouth keeps the line out the door.

If you want to taste why Melbourne fell in love with char koay teow, this is where to start. One plate, one bite, and you’ll understand the hype.