Khanh Ong on his friends-only hot pot spot, lobster jaffles and the joy of a service station bain-marie

Former MasterChef Australia contestant turned SBS’s Wild Food documentary TV host Khanh Ong loves nothing more than to splash and slurp at his Southbank regular, Ten BBQ & Hot Pot Restaurant. It’s where he heads for a comfort meal with close friends, including former AFL footballer Dale Thomas and his partner Natasha; reminding them to swap their “good clothes” for their least favourite garments instead.

“You have to be really close to me as a friend because this isn’t fancy but it’s so damn good. It’s where I really let loose and only go with those who know me well,” says Ong.

“It’s a messy way to eat. I love that we go to a fridge to select vegetables, eat 10 trays of thinly sliced beef dipped in a pot and it splashes everywhere. The experience is what makes it. It’s also the only time nobody judges me for eating seven quail eggs in a sitting.”

Eating in

My signature dish

I am obsessed with broths and soups; it comes from growing up in a Vietnamese family. Whether it’s pho, a broth with noodles, or a bone broth made with pumpkin, I always have a dish on the go. I didn’t realise it was my signature until I would get home from a trip away and crave it. Soups are nostalgic and make me happy.

An ambassador for Continental Stock Pot Sensations, Ong admits occasional laziness leads to pre-made stocks when he’s juggling a busy schedule. He cheats his way out of bone broth preparation with an instant solution when he can. “You don’t have to spend hours cooking down bones.”

Guilty pleasure

It would have to be a hot pot; a Korean choose your own adventure. I have it every two weeks. I love unassuming hot pot places. Friends know their clothes will smell for days!

I also love cheese, any kind, with my favourite cracker: Arnott’s Vita-Weat with Five Super Seeds. They’re super crunchy and great for spreading brie or a creamy blue.

Best kitchen wisdom

Mum always told me to do what makes you happy; it resonates in life and in the kitchen.

Eating Out

Favourite hometown restaurant (and go-to dish)

My newest obsession is Serai. The calamari with smoked ‘nduja is a favourite. It’s charred perfectly, there’s a little smokiness and it pairs well with ’nduja (spicy spreadable salami). The calamari is cooked just enough that the protein is just-set. They’re at the top of their game in the kitchen, and it’s exactly how calamari should be cooked.

Small Print Pizza in Windsor is another favourite. I love the margherita and white mushroom toppings. There is a dog park across the road and you can order a pizza while your dog plays. It’s so cute.

Sushi Jiro has become a massive brand. I first met Shiro Ono when he only had two stores. The sushi is so fresh and well done; he is obsessed with his craft. Nigiri with torched salmon is my go-to, I love the sweet rice which gives a tiny bit of acidity.

Favourite cafe

Abacus Bar & Kitchen in South Yarra. I hold a lot of my midweek meetings here and order the chicken Caesar salad. They always include generous portion of protein.

Favourite bar

Pearl Diver in the CBD is where I go for a vodka dirty martini. I go on a date, or for a pre-show drink. The lobster jaffle is a highlight. It comes with a bisque that you dip it into. It’s crunchy and sweet, and when you bite the jaffle, you get the nutty gruyere saltiness, too.

On the road

Favourite food memory in Australia

My favourite places to eat around Australia are the roadside service stations. It might sound ridiculous, but I have been travelling a lot while filming my new SBS TV show, and I have discovered every small town has something to offer. The bain-marie can be super exciting, the sandwiches and rolls are different and usually very good, too.

There’s a general store across the road from the Dargo Hotel in Victoria that you can’t miss. I had one of the best bacon and egg burgers ever. The Mallacoota Bakery in East Gippsland is another gem. I recommend the chunky steak and chicken satay pies.

In Brisbane, one of my favourite restaurants is Agnes. The lamb saddle was memorable as was the heavenly macadamia choux pastry.

It might sound ridiculous, but my favourite places to eat around Australia are roadside service stations.

Favourite food city and why

I love visiting Adelaide. There is always somewhere new opening up and it’s a foodie mecca.

Fugazzi is an absolute must. I love (fellow ex-MasterChef contestant) Laura Sharrad’s tagliatelle with crab; a beautiful creamy pasta dish you can upgrade with caviar. I also love the gnocco fritto with black honey and pepper; and tiramisu for dessert − it’s not plated, they come with a Nonna-style dish and give you a scoop of it, table-side.

Asian Gourmet is a hidden laksa place in the Central Markets. They serve in colourful melamine bowls, and the couple who run it have done so forever.

I am obsessed with a basement bar called Maybe Mae − they don’t do food, but they have a phenomenal cocktail list.

I usually stay at the Sofitel Adelaide. It’s central and a short stroll from Rundle Mall.

I also went to Italy for the first time this European summer; it was never on my radar. I thought it was a place for lovers or where you go with a partner. I went with friends and tacked on three days on the Amalfi Coast. I had the best limoncello granita from a roadside vendor in Positano − it came with a sliver of lemon wedge you can eat without blinking because it’s almost sweet more than tangy. I recommend Lo Smeraldino restaurant in Amalfi for fresh seafood dishes.

Where to eat in Sydney

I love the Thai food at Viand. It’s probably the best place I have eaten at in Australia. Annita Potter’s food is amazing. She can balance flavour and spice well. She uses tapioca pearls in dishes other than desserts. I recommend the deep-fried tapioca dumplings stuffed with chicken and nuts − it’s full of beautiful aromas and wrapped in betel leaf and served with herbs. The tiger prawn dish is also a must. She has a dessert of Thai wafers with coconut meringue and golden threads − egg yolk fried-off like a batter in sugar syrup.

I also recommend Una Mas next to Mimi’s in Coogee. It’s more casual and they make relaxed tapas. It is unpretentious and not expensive. I love the octopus with fermented habanero.

Casual Malaysian eatery Ho Jiak is great as well. Lots of Asians dine here so you know it’s good! The laksa bomb dumplings in a broth are next-level, as is the fried chicken.