Bopha Devi goes the distance

Docklands’ only Cambodian restaurant, Bopha Devi, celebrates its eighth birthday this month.

Business partners Chan Uoy and Paul Thickett opened the NewQuay restaurant in 2005, offering traditional Cambodian cuisine in a central location.  

Mr Uoy was already running Bopha Devi Yarraville when he decided to open a second restaurant in Docklands, after noticing the area’s potential.

“I saw the final vision of Docklands. I came here with an awareness and appreciation of what it would become,” he said.

“I wanted to be part of the rebuilding of a new Melbourne, a 21st century Melbourne.”

Bopha Devi celebrates Cambodia’s culture and people through the country’s cuisine, with the menu featuring a range of traditional Cambodian dishes.

Mr Uoy said many of the meals on offer at Bopha Devi were ones he had grown up with, including one of his personal favourites.

“I can’t go past a simple stir fry like Char Kroeung, with lemongrass and turmeric. It’s very tasty,” he said

Apart from offering delicious meals, Bopha Devi is also a business with a social conscience.

The restaurant runs fundraising campaigns throughout the year, asking customers to donate to Cambodian initiatives.

Earlier this year the restaurant raised $5000 for a children’s library in Cambodia.

Currently the restaurant is raising money for three university scholarships for Cambodian students, in hope of supporting students and fostering Cambodia’s art and culture renaissance.

Mr Uoy said Bopha Devi also supported Cambodian fundraising groups, many of whom hold charity functions at the venue.

Bopha Devi can cater for up to 80 people seated and up to 100 standing, making it not only a great venue for fundraisers but also for work Christmas functions.

Mr Uoy encouraged local business owners to contact the restaurant to discuss options for end-of-year celebrations.

Bopha Devi is located at 27 Rakaia Way in Docklands. For more information visit

www.bophadevi.com or contact the restaurant on 9600 1887.

East meets west at Ivy

Ivy Real Estate is a business with a difference, combining local knowledge with international contacts.

According to director Henry Zhang, Ivy Real Estate is where “east meets west” in Docklands.

Mr Zhang opened an office in Docklands Drive a year ago and recently expanded, opening a second Docklands Drive office and an office at Southern Cross Station with a shopfront onto busy Spencer St.

With offices throughout the suburb, Mr Zhang and his staff are eager to assist clients with a range of Docklands real estate needs.

Ivy Real Estate operates with 10 full-time staff, who are all multilingual.

Apart from English, staff also speak Mandarin, Cantonese, Malay and some local Asian dialects.

“All of the staff have been living in Australia for a long time and therefore have the advantage of being familiar with local customs but also being able to speak other languages,” Mr Zhang said.

According to Mr Zhang, it’s this aspect that makes Ivy Real Estate a unique player in the Docklands real estate industry.

“We have a strong understanding of the local market but we can also tap into the international market.”

Mr Zhang said Ivy Real Estate was able to target to the broad English and non-English-speaking market for vendors looking to sell property.

“We can tap into the Asian market with our unique ties and that market is quite strong at the moment,” Mr Zhang said.

As a resident and business owner in Docklands, Mr Zhang says he feels a strong connection with the area.

“I see the vision for Docklands’ future and the potential for it to be a highly sought-after area,” Mr Zhang said.

You can find Ivy Real Estate at 365 Docklands Drive, 359 Docklands Drive and at shop B5, 99 Spencer St.

Alternatively, you can contact Ivy Real Estate on 8376 7777.