As neighbours go, it’s hard to picture an odder couple than the State Buildings and its basement lodger Long Chim, a faux-grunge funhouse of brash music, graffiti and food. David Thompson, Australia’s culinary ambassador to Thailand, serves conventional and uncompromising street food at this sharply styled diner that’s turned Perth dining on its head. Chilli is king and it won’t be tempered to suit timid tastes. So brace yourselves for a chicken larb set to stun and a prawn and fish dumpling laksa so spicy that staff warn some diners off ordering it. Choose your own adventure, from salty-sour sai krok – fermented pork and rice Isaan sausages – to a gutsy red curry of Shark Bay prawns or the popular Prin’s noodles, a charred mess of chicken nubbins and coriander, dried prawns and sriracha. Cocktails like the vodka-spiked, condensed milk Kafe Mao soothe the scalding as do spice-sympathetic beers and wines. Chon gaew!
This review was made independently for the Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Guide. The guide’s reviewers visit unannounced and pay their way.
Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Guide
Food: ★
Wine: ★
Gourmet Traveller’s star-ratings, which range from zero to three stars, reflect reviewers’ first-hand experiences. The best-rated restaurants form our national Top 100. Our wine ratings, from zero to three stars, are made by wine editor Max Allen on the strength of the quality of the restaurant’s wine list. View our rating key here.
Long Chim
Basement, State Buildings Cnr Barrack St & St Georges Tce Perth, WA
