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Geelong Cantonese restaurant Man Bo gets new owners and new-look menu

Gail Thomas

New owners will gently refresh Man Bo's striking interior.
New owners will gently refresh Man Bo's striking interior.Supplied

In Chinese, Man Bo means "tens of thousands of treasures". It's also the name of one of Geelong's longest-running restaurants.

Since taking the reins at Man Bo recently, restaurateur Alex Yurong Pan (Sumi, Sober Ramen), Nathan Johnston (Cartel Coffee), and chef William Zhang (China Doll, Spice Temple Sydney) have begun delving into that treasure chest, freshening up the Cantonese menu without alarming regulars by dropping classics such as seafood and tofu hot pot, lemon chicken, and sweet and sour pork.

Along with an a la carte menu that will include smaller dishes for sharing and a stronger emphasis on seafood, they'll introduce classic yum cha on Sunday and Monday while sommelier Mia Cao is building an eclectic and wide-ranging regional, varietal and international wine list to complement the menu.

New owners are keeping many of Man Bo's signatures and adding their own touch.
New owners are keeping many of Man Bo's signatures and adding their own touch.Supplied
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Sited opposite Kardinia Park, Man Bo was established in 1982 and originally located in Gheringhap Street before being bought in 2008 by former pub baron Rick Munday, who spent $2.5 million lavishly fitting out the new Moorabool Street site.

With seating for 250 people over five spaces, it includes an upper-level cocktail bar and tower where diners could once watch the footy opposite – until the club built the new stadium, blocking the view. It will get a gentle refresh under the new owners.

Open daily lunch and dinner.

361 Moorabool Street, Geelong, 03 5221 7888, manbo.com.au

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