Jerky House

I always loved to visit this place for some sweet or salty snacks — there is so much selections. But I just want to compliment the girl that helped me on a Wednesday afternoon at this particular shop, she was able to pinpoint what ‘taste & texture’ I would be interested and what may not be good for me, I’m pregnant but not very visible yet, and I never told her but she served me like she knew, and I’m really thankful that I have finally found what I’ve been seeking to satisfy my recent cravings.

Ahh delicious jerkyhouse, where you can select and bag your own jerky (of course), dried oriental delights and western-​friendly super recognisable candies and sweets (chocolate rocks, gummi cherries etc.) I love the range of Malaysian and Indo candies, and yes, DURIAN FLAVOUR! With prices as low as $ 2.20-$ 2.80 per 100 grams, why not?
The jerky is fantastic as well, and if you care to buy the prepackaged variety, it lists ingredients on the back and is indeed MADE IN AUSTRALIA. We tried the Honey Beef Jerky hot at Chinese New Year and WOW, amazing! You can microwave it yourself at home too. They even have low fat versions, although I haven’t tried them ;)
The staff are super helpful and friendly, and will do the self-​serve part for you if you prefer, or your hands are full. Everything is super clean and well labelled. Just be careful not to mix items of different prices in the same bag!
So if you feel a little nervous venturing into Asian supermarkets, why not cut your teeth at Jerkyhouse? …awful expression, if your teeth are cut, don’t eat candy!

Verdict: If I had to list my top ten favorite food items, Beef Jerky and Candy would no doubt be present, and while I’ve no idea as to why the US hasn’t quite caught on to the concept of Asian-​inspired pay-​by-​weight shops (outside of Frozen Yogurt), I’m glad Australia has.
Star 1: How was the service and atmosphere?
There’s a girl at the counter, she weighs your selections, and you give her money. Easy peasy pumpkin pie. Star Granted.
Star 2: How were the portions relative to the cost?
I visited quite a few of these self-​serve candy shops while in Melbourne, and Jerkyhouse was without question the most affordable. $ 2.20 for 100g? Yes please. Star Granted.
Stars 3 and 4: How was the food?
This is obviously a difficult one in that it all comes down to preference, however, with easily among the most extensive selections I’ve ever seen when it comes to candy, jerky, chocolates and specialty Asian treats, Jerkyhouse really is worthy of both stars here. This place is brilliant. Dual Stars Granted.
Star 5: Would you eat here every day if you could?
Candy? Jerky? Good Value? Of Course! Star Granted.

I have to admit that I didn’t come to Jerky House for the jerky. In fact, jerky is a concept that I’ve always found a little strange and quite unappetising. I guess dried meat just isn’t my thing.
What i did come here for are the sweets, nuts and dried fruits. And they are seriously good. There are rows upon rows of sugary confections: sweet, sour, soft and hard, they have it all. The product range here is amazing, Jerky House is truly an interesting store.
In fact, here at jerky house you can find yourself a whole range of weird delights such as Curry Beef Jerky Slice, Curry Beef Jerky Cubes, Crispy Pork, Chilli Pork Jerkey, Honey Pork Jerky, Chilli Chicken Jerky, Chilli Beef Jerky, the list goes on (and on).

It’s almost impossible to know what to say about the Jerky House. Is it good? I have *no* idea. Certainly, it’s the best store I’ve ever seen for finding acre upon acre of cured meat and dried fruit. But as to the quality? *shrug*
What I will say this. When I went there I ordered a sheet of the sweet chilli pork, a dollar or so worth of the dried squid, and some Australian preserved ginger. The pork was fine — maybe a bit too moist and and a bit too sweet, but I’m willing to ascribe that to different cultural expectations.
The squid, however, was definitely an acquired taste. And I don’t mean that it would take some getting used to. I mean I ate the dried squid and found my mouth had ‘acquired” the taste, and it wasn’t going to give it back for the next few hours. I kept popping pieces of preserved ginger just to stave off madness with a temporary taste reprieve.
So, is this bad? Again, I’ve no idea.
It’s most definitely interesting, however. And that’ll get my vote any day.

I love places like these, packed with exotic ingredients you won’t find elsewhere. The big squares of beef and pork jerky in the front window glisten under the light. These oily, fatty, sweet jerkies are a little different to the dry, chewy, but also tasty, jerky we all know. You’ll also find more jerky heaven within like chilli curry strips or beef cubes. They also have rows upon rows of different nuts, dried fruits, dried fish and lollies. I usually find it hard to decide what I want and end up pacing up and down the lanes. I almost always have to get some mini prawn rolls; they’re cute, addictive spring roll looking things that are seriously worth a trying.