The vibrant Asian dining venue Crouching Monkey, located upstairs at the iconic Brass Monkey pub in Northbridge, has entered an exciting new chapter with the arrival of a new head chef and a completely reinvented menu.
A Chef's Personal Culinary Journey
Malaysian-born chef Jimmy Tings has taken the helm in the kitchen, bringing with him two decades of industry experience and a profound personal connection to the flavours he creates. Having opened in January, the venue's new direction is shaped by Tings' memories of home and cooking alongside his mother.
"I was born and raised in Malaysia, and the flavours I cook with now take me straight back home," Tings explained. He aims to deliver something beyond the ordinary, drawing from roots, herbs, and spices. "When I’m working with all of them, I feel like I’m cooking alongside my mother again."
Street Food Inspiration with an Australian Twist
The new menu is a collection of flavour-packed, share-style dishes that reinterpret the meals of Tings' childhood. He learned to cook by taste, smell, and memory, as his mother never measured ingredients. Now, he recreates those dishes using high-quality Australian produce.
Guests can expect a bold array of options including:
- Green curry spring rolls
- Steamed prawn and ginger dumplings
- Seared beef tataki
- Massaman beef curry
- A signature spicy drunken chicken noodle dish
Tings is passionate about challenging diners' perceptions of Asian fusion cuisine. "One of the biggest misconceptions is that spice means spicy," he said. "Spice is flavour. Spice is character. It’s galangal, star anise, satay, aromatics - it’s all the layers that make the dish come alive."
A Meaningful New Chapter in Northbridge
After working across resorts and restaurants in both Malaysia and Australia, Tings describes his role at Crouching Monkey as the most meaningful of his career. The dining experience is complemented by a wide drinks selection, including tap and bottled beers, a curated wine list, and playful cocktails like the signature burnt pineapple margarita.
This culinary evolution marks a significant development for the Northbridge hospitality scene, offering locals and visitors a deeply authentic yet innovative taste of Malaysian street food culture, right in the heart of Perth.
