New premises, same legendary prices. Unpretentious, no frills and nothing to Instagram here. You get change from $10 and there’s nothing over $10 unless you add extras. A tenner doesn’t get you much these days, and this beats any generic mall and fast food. The menu is extensive but it’s hard to go past the chicken steak and beef omelette.
I died a little inside when that nasty metro tunnel closed down Port Phillip Arcade and the home of what is probably the best meat to price value cooked meal in town. Initial Google searches lead to an arcade off Swanston but it was an abandoned shop. So when it quietly popped up in the old Hako joint... Rejoice! It's all about the chicken steak meal here... Two lightly battered chicken thighs, steamed rice and a small amount of seasonal veg, slathered in a classic canto style gravy. Pimp it out with the chilli oil at the table. So good... You can even treat yourself to fried rice instead of steamed for an extra $1. Such a bargain.
No frills just amazing cheap eats in Melbourne. We tried the salt and pepper pork ribs on rice and they were really good. The pork ribs is very nice and the price is reasonable, great place for a quick meal in the city
Restaurant located in Flinders Lane between Elizabeth Street and Queen Street. Quick service with a smile. Great menu for cheap and quick eats. We ordered black bean beef with flat rice noodle, chicken steak and pork chop with fried rice. Tasty and filling.
For the price and speed at which food comes out of their kitchen, this is a great place to have a lunch time meal in the CBD. Portion sizes are good and the food tastes decent as well.
They serve variety of Asian food (mostly Chinese) in large serving at very affordable price! Their new place behind Flinders University is much bigger than their previous one. The ambience is a lot better too. I always order their chicken/pork chops with gravy. Winner 🏆
Cheap and still filling your belly! Nothing fancy both the interior and the food. Had fried chicken steak and pork chop on rice. With the price that we paid, really can’t complain with what we get. On tight budget and still want to eat out? Best place to go!
Fyi, their chilli is really good!
Best place for a quick meal at affordable prices. Menu has been revised after they moved outta Port Philip Arcade. So many choices that we never get bored.
My work mate and I come here when we want to eat something quick and cheap...the food here is quite tasty. We normally get a fried rice and a noodle dish to share. It’s usually quite packed so make sure you get here early to get a seat.
Just to let everyone know, Kim Seng has moved to 310 Flinders Lane! Was just there yesterday after a very long wait for them to reopen. The chicken steak taste as GREAT as before. I cannot get enough of it!! Price has gone up to $9 but still very very good value! Go enjoy the chicken steak again!!!
Located beside flinders station , inside a building , chinese cuisine . Founded the crispy chicken is nice and big portions , the price quite cheap 9.50 aid . If u feel hungry would like eat more and save money suggested come over here . Taste not bad .
I have been here many times as a student, this place is always busy and pack during lunch time. You can't go wrong with their chicken steak!
Food come out fast, hot, tasty and cheap! Which is what they are known for.
P.s: they are moving to new location soon, check out their page for more information.
Industrial Chinese fare. Rough and ready all the way round but strangely loveable in its own way. This is a small rough hewn space off Port Phillip Arcade. Laminex tables, the whole bit. Brutally functional, the space works wonderfully. Busy and noisy in the lunchtime peak. People constantly lining up. An amazing hive of activity. Students, office workers, tourists etc. They're all here seeking food. The food comes out quickly and it's piping hot. I had seafood combination with rice. While there was little seafood in it, I liked it immensely for what it was. The place filled the immediate need but there's nothing fancy about the experience. Service is brisk and snappy. I miraculously drew a smile from one server. She's my hero as everyone who works here works seriously hard and at full pace. A smile is a miracle. Industrial Chinese, I loved it.
A staple for a cheap feed in the city.. been going there on and off while working in the city and visiting.. best value Chinese in town.. best chili oil concoction.. port Phillip arcade closing down due to metro rail.. but happy to find out they will be relocating up Swanson street..near the corner of little Collins.. in arcade opposite town hall.
Decent Asian food with cheaper price. Was ordered Pork & Veg flat rice noodle, taste good but very less noodles. Ever tried their chicken stack it tastes better.
Express Chinese food. Awesome flavour, cheap prices, place is always rammed so it says a lot. I normally go for the omelette with Hot & Sour soup. For me, best and most affordable Chinese in CBD.
Best quick fix meal in Melbourne!
Chicken steak is highly recommended.
For such a big menu, their service and quality is unmatched at the price point. Perfect spot for a quick meal or takeaway.
Best Way to Spend $10 Dollars
Two lovely pieces of Chicken Steak.. either plain or fried rice and an egg.. awesome combo and a great quick feed
The food is actually amazing. I got the honey chicken with fried rice and it was amazing. Still can't believe I paid $15 for Chinese food in melbourne.
Healthiness Rating: 2/5
I totally get this restaurant. From the moment I came across it, it brought me back to my childhood as a little boy from an Asian migrant family. We didn't have much at the time, but we always had good food and company.
I could tell you that you can get a decent sized meal for under 10 dollars. I could tell you that it's conveniently located off the tram stops in the CBD. I could even tell you that the 'chicken steak' is totally something my grandmother would have come up with.
But all you really need to know is that this is a genuine experience. It's the kind of culture you look for when you plan a trip to a foreign country. The menu may not be historically accurate to the food you get in China, but that's not the point.
When I was in Italy, we found Asian restaurants that would serve pizza and pasta. When I asked why, they said that Italians prefer to eat their own food.
The point is that migrants growing up in a foreign country develop their own culture. It's a mix of what they know, and what's around them. Kim Sing embodies a lot of my experience growing up as a Chinese kid in Australia.
I don't know about you, but when your food has a bit more meaning behind it, it leaves you feeling just a little more full. Ⓔ
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Eating Tip: It's not trying to be healthy, but if you are, best things to avoid are sugary sauces and deep fried dishes. Lean towards stir-fries with plenty of different veg. Choose rice over noodles, as rice is less processed.
Simple as dish that they do sensationally well. Chicken steaks dish is what everybody is eating here. Definitely will come here pre footy in the future
We went here 20 minutes before closing. The waiter notified us that we had only 15 minutes to eat our meals which was okay (we were Very hungry!).
Ordered #46 (Noodles with beef) and #18 Sweet and Sour Pork with rice. Serving sizes were generous in the rice dish. The noodles didn't have much meat in the dish. The noodles themselves were very flavoursome - pleasantly surprised!
Simple meals done well. We will be back next time.
Suitable for a very quick lunch and on budget. Took a few friends there that are nand they liked it. A typical melborne hidden spot. Recommended!!!
I don't understand why they can sell very cheap for a huge yummy food and comes very fast. Valuable for students. Will comeback and recommended.
Walked past Port Philip aracade and noticed this eatery was so crowded. I was thinking it must be quite good and something must be quite special here. Most diners had the pork/chicken on rice. Checked its menu and found out they're probably the cheapest in CBD serving proper meals. My meal costs $7.5 each came in huge size and the most important thing is they're tasty.
this place is good for quick and cheap eats. a must when ur running errands in the cbd. they need to offer tap and go since not everyone has cash. love their food
If you’re poor and near Flinders Street, Kim Sing is a great spot to hit for a budget-conscious bite. And even if you’re not poor, it’s fun to be frugal. As with any Chinese restaurant there’s about a hundred dishes to order from and they arrive as fast as they are cheap. Fried chicken steak
I work just around the corner from here and I go here for lunch all the time, the food is cheap, fresh and tasty! I've also been to Kim Sing in Box Hill which is a great place to take your family to a fancy dinner out with friendly table service and the same amazing prices:)
The Domestic Traveller
+4
When you’re hungry and don’t have a lot of dosh, your saving grace is Kim Sing. That is. If you can move fast enough to secure a seat!. Location: Port Phillip Arcade, 228 Flinders Street, CBD, Melbourne, VIC. Ate: #9 Chicken (asked for Special Fried Rice instead of normal rice). This is definitely one of Melbourne’s best known cheap eats. Trust me, you are not going here for the macros. Instead you are looking at how fast and how full you can get.
Love this place!
Its cheap, no thrills, great portion sizes and big on flavor. I've been a regular here for the past 4 years and always had a great meal, never once had anything to complain about.
In my circle of friends, this place is quite controversial. Some of us like it, some hate it. This place is also arguably not a place to go if you want hygienic dishes with good service. Personally though, i like this place. It's cheap and has awesome dishes if you know what to choose. My personal favourite is the chicken steak, which is probably what most people ordered here. The chili sauce here is also terrific, and the food comes very fast. This place is also quite consistent for years in terms of the taste of dishes and relatively cheap price tag.
I like this place! My friend recommended itto meso i decided to check it out. I ordered the chicken steak. It was delicious! And really good value for money, under $10. It came out extremely fast! Looking forward to coming here again to try different things :)
My old manager introduced me to this restaurant and I have to thank him for that. I never would have ventured into Port Phillip Arcade otherwise expecting to find lunch around Flinders at great value. He highly recommended the Chicken Steak with Rice $8 (an extra dollar for fried rice) and that’s all I ever order from here. After ordering I took a set of cutlery and seated myself inside the main area. The restaurant has more tables in the opposite side, that’s how busy it gets that they require an extra room!
Fast Food of Chinese cooking. Order over the counter and when you self serve the cutlery and chilli, the food will be delivered to your table. It was one of the cheapest meal in CBD, but they increasing the price each year. It's still cheap meal, but you get what you paid for. Considering the price it's still a good Chinese food. Full of umami flavour with good dose of MSG...
Chicken Steak and Steamed Rice is the staple dish . Chilli Sauce is the one that makes all the difference. The dim sims aren't too bad either. I usually order the lychee soda with the food as well, it soothes the heat of the chilli sauce.. The cheapest chinese restaurant in the city , so extreme value for for your money. If you are looking for a cheap, no fuss chinese lunch , this is the place to go.
I find it very hard to order anything but the chicken steak. Fast service, tasty food and great value. Always a good choice for Friday lunch.
My favourite cheap dishes in town.
Fly all the way back to Melbourne from Sydney.
All I miss is their chicken steak which is the most popular dish.
8 with steam rice
9 with fried rice
I suggest that just go with steamed rice because fried rice was tasteless
I'm always a sucker for a good wonton noodle soup, and this one did not disappoint! Generous serving of pork meat and wontons in a huge bowl of broth. And only for $7.
If you're happy to eat in an authentic Asian-feeling restaurant (nothing classy about this joint, you will definitely be sitting with a bunch of other people and there will probably be some sparrows hopping around), you'll enjoy the experience. The hardest thing is to choose what to order - I will definitely be going back for the one of the chop/steak dishes because they looked great.
Heard that the Port Phillip Arcade was closing so I took the opportunity to have lunch at Kim Sing today - still as good, tasty, speedy and cheap as it was back when I had my first visit there in 2001.
I do hope they stay in business when the Arcade shuts.
Very good value of money! The chilly sauce was da bomb! Always order chicken steak here since its really big portion. What i hate about this restaurant is just they keep increasing the price it was only $6,70 before but now is $8 😭 but overall im still happy! And btw they served the food really fast!
This is one of the places in Melbs where food is inexpensive and tastes like home cooked meals. I suspect the cooks are vietnamese? Like others have said, most people order the chicken steak and rice but my preference is the vietnamese beef noodle soup or the steamed dumplings here which is a healthier option. I wouldn't expect much from the service but it is extremely fast. The staff are very efficient and I enjoy the fast service. The chilli oil on the tables are great with all its dishes. This place is also great for takeaways.
I know for a fact that finding a good chinese food in melbourne is kinda tricky. For a safer option, I always go to Kim Sing due the fact that most of the foods started from 6.5$ highly suitable for students and the foods are reasonably good. You get what you pay
Kim Sing, an eatery in Port Phillip Arcade off Flinders Lane is quite possibly the cheapest Asian restaurant in the Melbourne CBD. With all of the dishes below $10, it is chock-a-block with students, travelers and suits during lunch hour. The specialty seems to be the Chicken Steak with rice and vegetables for around $7.50 ($9 with fried rice) which I ordered on the day. I was greeted with 2 very large schnitzel-like pieces of battered deep-fried chicken steaks on fried rice with some steamed vegetables. The steaks were on the dry side but were very crispy and enormous. They were smothered with a dollop of gravy which mitigated the dryness a little. The fried rice and steamed vegetables were rather forgettable. I've had other dishes here from time to time, and they were passable but not particularly special or memorable. On the upside, the servings are enormous and excellent value for money. Service is also very quick and efficient. So in short, whilst I would have given it 3/5 for the quality of the food, I've bumped up the overall rating to 3.5 on the basis of the excellent value for money it represents. Come here if you're short on time for lunch and on a budget and starving.
Worth the price well. it's ok for me.
Been here about 5-6 times and have never had a bad dish. Amazing tasting food and great value for money. Due to a friend I refer to this place as the $6 Asian place. Food comes out very quick too. If I had to find faults I'd say the fried rice needs bigger pieces of pork, and scrambled egg. The fried egg is amazing but it's deep fried which doesn't look so appealing but yum. Love this place so much I have to try force myself not to go everyday!
Cheap? yes. delicious? depends but mostly yes. good service? nah. clean? not really. Quick? very. like it? yes. Its highly recommended for people who like quick and yummy food and have no other expectation
Nice and cheap - expect no more!. A very satisfying meal of Chicken Steak for the tiny price of $6.20. This is value that cannot be beat anywhere in the city. The chicken steak is a huge two piece feed with rice and 1 or 2 small pieces of brocolli. The gravy they drizzle on top is very complimentary but what makes the dish is the tabletop chilli jam. My first venture into the the jar came out with a great big dollop, which I will recommend against. Take the chilli jam in small portions, otherwise you will not feel you face for the next hour.
Tried a couple of other dishes and found them to be of acceptable quality when you consider the cafeteria style set up and overall, the price. My younger diners were pleased with the chicken omelette on rice and the thinly sliced strips of beef in the Chilli Beef was nothing to complain about.
You get what you paid for so only eat here if you are prepared to put up with a little haphazard service and basic but satisfying meals.
Beautiful fresh food & cheap. One of my favorite resturants I highly recommend this resturant.
Cheap,yes, but all my respect!. I read about people complains and i m thinking: Why do you wanna a fine dining lunch for $6 bucks?
C mon guys, this place is GOLD for students, corporates in a rush, savers and for anyone who doesn t pretend the moon !
The average price is around $7 and the serving size is filling and your meal doesn t take longer than 4 minutes to arrive.
I personally like it, it s basilar and simple but this lovely family runs the business in a such a way, they own the Alley!
Cheap and Quick - 6/10. If you're in a rush, not fussed and looking for a quick bite with no frills then go for the chicken steak.
How do they do it as these prices. Value, value, value.
Amazing!!!$6 Beef&vegie blackbean source. They do one more preparation with ingredients. Meat is tender (hope they soak with rice wine not something else) it goes with chilli on the table everything in order, quick. Good job.
Fast service, generous portions for the price you pay. Recommend if you wanna save money and have no time
Chicken steak. Don't really eat here that much, but if I do it is usually if I need to be somewhere in the city and don't have much time for dinner.
There are canned drinks for sale, but most people seem to just get a glass of water from the urn.
Probably the cheapest meal you can get in the CBD so it is popular with students and Metro staff.
I wouldn't take anyone here expecting a fancy meal, but if you are by yourself or in a hurry it is ideal.
$6 freshly cooked meal generous size. Best value for money $6 is the price for most meals here the most popular is "Chicken Steak" seems like everyone is ordering this. My favourite dish would have to be the pork chop with fried rice this is just the best pork chop I have had in Melbourne for $6. All meals a cooked once you order the most amazing thing is the SIZE of the dishes for $6 you get a very generous meal with rice or extra 0.60 cents and you get fried rice. There are meals starting at $4 the vegetarian fried but for only 0.50 cents extra you can get a special fried rice which has shrimp and roast pork. At lunch time this place is so busy that you will have to wait in a line which reaches all the way out the door. Best thing to do is to go to the picture menu and decide on what you will order then go to the counter and tell them the meal number and the table number you will be sitting on and you won't have to wait long as the food here comes out so fast. Overall great place to eat when you are on a tight budget, but the service here could improve..... but for $6 what else can you ask for fresh food!
Best place to eat when you're broke.. Kim Sing's signature chicken steak on rice is yummy and cheap ($6.60 for 2 big pieces of chicken). Me and my friend always dine their when we're broke. Food is very quick and good value for money.
Across from Flinders St, on one of the most infamous arcades, is the infamous of the “Chinese Joint” (no, seriously on one knows what it’s called) at Port Phillip Arcade.
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