Gin Long Canteen — the cool kid on the block

Spot the iridescent ‘Now Chopping’ neon signage and you’ve found Gin Long Canteen. Situated on North Adelaide’s O’Connell Street, the Southeast-Asian eatery has made a name for itself as the cool kid on the block. Plastered across the window, Gin Long Canteen firmly sticks to its motto plastered across the window: ‘eat big live life’. Serving up a menu carefully curated with group eating in mind, the restaurant’s enticing offerings encourage guests to eat large and live larger.

Serving up an array of Malay, Thai and Vietnamese-inspired eats, Gin Long Canteen is difficult to define, ridiculously easy to enjoy and an ongoing hit with the locals. With something for everyone and an electric atmosphere to boot, enthusiastic crowds flock to the restaurant day and night.

Walk through the canteen doors and be greeted with a smile by one of Gin Long’s friendly staff. Genuine passion is evident in the service from the get-go. You’ll never catch anyone donning a uniform, just a playful dress code with themes that range from colour palette to pop-culture references and rotate each night.

Enthusiastic service is mirrored throughout Gin Long Canteen in its fit-out. With bench seating designed for optimal flow and the bustling kitchen in full view, the canteen strikes the perfect balance of laid-back and lively.

The Pomegranate Chicken, chargrilled to tender perfection, embodies the refreshing essence of Gin Long Canteen. Stacked high with a pile of decadently juicy chicken strips, sweet tamarind, fresh pomegranate and coriander, the dish offers a delicate hint of spice that will see any eye grow much larger than its respective stomach.

Get messy with it. The Gin Long Canteen menu is designed for sharing, so don’t be afraid to tuck in with your hands, and be sure to nab one of the complimentary guava lollies on your way out.