Diamond Kitchen in Nakara has been a bit of a hidden gem as I drive past the area everyday but have never taken the short detour to check this place out.  But I do like Chinese food and it was only a matter of time before I stuck my head in the door. Typical of most suburban Chinese take aways / restaurants, the outside looks totally dodgy and the inside doesn't instill any further confidence either, but fear not for the kitchen looks the part and is clean and tidy. Sounds exactly like my cup of tea then. Most people seem to order takeaway, but there are 4 tables that you can dine at. I've tried a bunch of different dishes, the official Darwin Foodies low down is as follows:

Beef fried noodles - Crispy fried noodles with beef and vegetables. The noodles aren't deep fried like you would expect, more like the chef chucked a bunch of noodles and shallow fried them. Different but nice. The beef is tender and the selection of vegetables is different to most other Chinese restaurants. I liked it lots. Chicken noodle soup - very generous amount of toppings and the soup base clear and full of flavour.

Crispy skin chicken - Absolutely smashing. The chook must have had cocaine rubbed all over it before cooking because it is highly addictive. Crispy skin with juicy flesh on the inside, seasoned perfectly (not too salty as is often the case). Best I've had in Darwin.

Peking duck - Also nice. No 'duck smell', gorgeous deep colour with tender moist meat. Skin is seasoned well but could be crispier. May cause fights at the table for the best bits. Seafood tofu soup - Small pieces of fish, prawn, squid and (oddly) sliced seafood sticks. The soup itself is surprisingly good however. Mapo tofu - one of my favourite Chinese dishes, but this one tastes like none other I've tasted and is just bad. There is spice too it but it has a really weird off-putting flavour. Pork spare ribs in plum sauce - Typically rich with the sweet and sour plum sauce coating. The pork itself is crispy yet really soft on the inside. I've had the same dish at

Barramundi with giner and shallots - Standard fish coated in cornflour, fried and served with various vegetables. Generous serving with fresh flavours but a little salty. Bok choy with oyster sauce - Yum and you should eat this  just because you need some vegies to keep you healthy.

Astmosphere wise it's a very casual place to pop in for a bit or to grab some takeaway. I rocked up in my thongs one night and was quite comfy. The Diamond Kitchen team is a family affair with the daughter behind the counter having friendly banter with the brother throughout the night, he himself being rather amusing. I must mention her outfit which can only be described as old pink pajamas. Very casual indeed. The disposable chopsticks you get when dinding in was a bit weird considering the crockery is ceramic and the serving utensils are metal. My skills with the chopsticks are  pathetic as they are and el cheapo disposable ones certainly don't do anything to help. Overall a pleasant surprise that's hidden away in Nakara. It's cheap so don't be expecting the glamour and concierge service when you dine in, but the food is really good (except the mapo tofu which is a bit too weird for me).

Contact details

Address: Shop 1/5 Nakara Place, Nakara
Phone: 8927 2888
Open: Wed - Thursday, 5pm to 9.30pm.