The best cheap eats in Clayton for under $20

Thanks to a large South Asian population in Clayton, the main strip of Clayton Road is home to numerous restaurants.

Clayton’s food scene kicked off in the 1950s when the first wave of post-WWII migrants arrived from Greece. That shifted in the 1970s to Chinese and South Asian migrants, and the Greek-Australian hub of Melbourne today is undoubtedly neighbouring Oakleigh.

The Eastern Melburnian has tried and tested the best Asian food Clayton has to offer.

Ping’s Dumpling Kitchen

330 Clayton Road, Clayton

This place is always packed, and for good reason. My fried pork dumplings - $12 for a plate of 15 - were crispy and flavoursome.

Banh Mi Bakery and Cafe

347 Clayton Road, next to the Clayton Shopping Centre bus stop

Banh mi isn’t a groundbreaking cheap eats option, but it’s a classic for good reason. This place had a fast-moving line out the door. The banh mis are overflowing with fillings including chili slices, cucumber and carrot, and they aren’t stingy on the sauce. Priced between $10 and $14.

Jyu-Jyu

339 Clayton Road

Jyu-Jyu has a selection of ramen, from katsu to beef, all priced at $16.50. The restaurant has a cosy, homely feel.

Anshumann Da Dhaba

331 Clayton Road

The meal to get here is the dhaba biryani for $17.15. Anshumann Da Dhaba also offers a lunch pack option with rice and curry for $9.90.

D’Penyetz and D’Cendol

335A Clayton Road

This halal Indonesian restaurant also has locations in Carlton and the CBD. When I visited it was a little quiet, and the staff were kind and attentive. The “Ayam Sakar” shredded chicken nasi goreng is a classic option at $15.90, as is their signature Cendol - a Southeast Asian iced dessert with green pandan-flavored rice flour jelly, coconut milk, and palm sugar syrup - at $5.90.

Grain Emporium Cafe

318 Clayton Road

Grain Emporium Cafe offers an extensive range of sweets and pastries, including the classic baklava at $5.50, which I highly recommend.