G’day,

Those in the know, know where to go.

We’re excited to have just launched our latest episode of Mates on Crates, featuring Benn Ratanakosol, Co-Owner & Operator at Mínima in Yarralumla, Australia. Opened in July 2024, Mínima is a charming 22-seat restaurant and wine bar founded by brothers Benn and Mork Ratanakosol, and it has quickly become one of Canberra’s most distinctive dining experiences. Tucked discreetly behind frosted glass, the space feels intimate, transportive, and deeply personal, with a third culture menu that celebrates the Chinese and Southeast Asian diaspora while paying tribute to Asia’s impact on the global culinary scene. Benn grew up in hospitality, raised in and around his family’s restaurants before helping carry forward the legacy of the much-loved Morks. As co-owner and operator, his superpower is creating a room that feels thoughtful, warm, and deeply hospitable while giving guests the sense that they’ve been invited into his home. It was a pleasure to sit down with Benn to chat about growing up in the family business, the evolution from Morks to Mínima, the meaning of third culture cuisine, the philosophy behind the food and drinks, and all of Benn’s favourite spots

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Each time we do a Mates on Crates interview, our guests share up to twenty of their favourites with us. For each episode, only a handful of those favourites make it into the final two minute cut. In order to highlight all of our guest’s favourites, we are happy to share the full list of favourites right here.

See the FULL LIST of Benn Ratanakosol’s Favourites:

Bakery: UNDER Bakery
Brewery: Capital Brewing
Brunch: Recess Coffee
Cocktail Bar: Volstead Repeal
Coffee: Lava Coffee
Date Night: Bar Rochford
Gelato: Gelato Messina
Food Neighborhood: Dixon (Ruby Chinese)
Fried Chicken: Rogane Chimac
Hidden Gem: Ginseng @ Hellenic
Last Meal That Blew Them Away: Onzieme
Patio: Cork & Glass
Pizza: Mínima
Sushi: Raku
Take an Out of Town Guest: Onzieme
Thai: Send Noods
Outside of Canberra: Murrumbateman Wineries (Helm, Ravensworth, Clonakilla)

Thanks for joining us, Benn!

Head to Mínima for a memorable and intimate dinner built around third culture cooking, sharp drinks, and a room that feels like a hidden little world inside Yarralumla. While there, be sure to trust the tasting menu and settle in for the full experience, which is Benn’s favourite way to show guests what Mínima can do.