Sydney is well known for its incredibly versatile Asian cuisine, with restaurants ranging from all countries across the continent, spreading vibrant culture and flavours throughout the east, north, and west. With all of your Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Thai, and Indian favourites these places are hidden treats scattered across Sydney.
We’ve curated a list of our top five Asian restaurants that range from a myriad of different flavours and regions, transporting you overseas with their authentic food and drink.
Mama Saan
57/59 Beach Rd, Bondi Beach NSW 2026
Tucked away in one of the backstreets of the infamous Bondi Beach, pop on over to Mama Saan after a long day of sitting in the sun or surfing in the Pacific’s crystalline waters. Whether you are looking for an intimate and fun date with your partner, a raucous jazz night, or a chilled out Friday evening with your besties, Mama Saan has got something for you.
Taking Asian-fusion to the next level, Mama Saan has perfected flavours from all around Asia. Honestly, you’re going to have to go back a couple of times to experience all their yummy bites and drinks!
You can’t go to an Asian-fusion venue without braving a unique cocktail full of new and fun flavour combinations. With a drinks menu full of cocktails that include wasabi, lychee, umeshu, ginger, and of course, soju, start your night out right with any of the delicious options. Or, if you’re in for a crazy one, buy a round of Japanese slipper shots for you and your mates!
The real hero, however, is of course the food. If you can’t pick from the extensive list of incredible meals, including freshly caught sashimi, bao buns, fish tacos, and gyoza, put your evening the trustworthy hands of the chefs and chose the Feed Me menu option, where you will find yourself looked after with the best service and food choices.
Kick on after dinner and enjoy their late night DJ’s on the weekends: perfect for birthdays or just your average night out with the gals!
Azuma
2 Chifley Square, Sydney NSW 2000
Home to quintessential Japanese flavours and traditions, Azuma is an incredible restaurants that prides themselves in innovative dining experiences and Japanese culture. Owned by Chef Kimitaka Azuma, Azuma welcomes you with a friendly and professional team and enticing, clean architecture. This restaurants brilliance is not just skin deep, however, with highlights including their use of the freshest seasonal ingredients to create refined dishes that will send your taste buds dancing.
Open for both lunch and dinner, Azuma’s menu includes a seasonal a la carte menu so you have access to taste all of their nibbles and larger meals. We recommend getting a couple of plates to split between you and your mates so you can explore a wider variety of options!
With a premium selection of whiskey’s and sake’s that will suit the needs of connoisseurs and novices alike, enjoy classic Japanese drinks alongside your meal. Or, try out Azuma’s signature cocktails that pay homage to all your favourite flavours that compliment all their dishes perfectly!
Chat Thai
20 Campbell St, Haymarket NSW 2000, Australia
If you’re looking for the best Thai restaurant among the masses of them throughout Sydney, we can only recommend Chat Thai. Chat Thai aims to provide food that leaves even the chefs drooling, and with an environment that is welcome for all, and they’ve absolutely hit the nail on the head.
Thai food is an Australian favourite, with many Aussie families resorting to the good ‘ol Thai takeaway from their local on one of those lazy Sunday nights. However, nothing can beat Thai food fresh out of the wok at a restaurants that cares about you, your food, and creating an authentic environment.
Chat Thai is home to every single one of your favourites, including spicy green papaya salads, classic green and red curries, and of course delicious sea food options. Finish your night off the right way with a mango sticky rice or taro dumplings for dessert.
Even better news is that they are available for delivery for those searching for a feed after a night out on the town. If you’ve never experienced guzzling down a steaming hot plate of chicken pad thai or sai grog isaan (fermented pork rice sausages) on your couch after a long night of bar crawls and pub hopping, you must give it a go.
Spice Temple
10 Bligh St, Sydney NSW 2000
Experience a culinary fusion of art and flavour from all the far-flung regions of China at Spice Temple. This modern restaurant comes right at you from Neil Perry’s Rockpool Dining Group, guaranteeing the highest quality food and dining experiences. With their philosophy focusing on exquisite service and delicious food, Spice Temple has a deep respect for top-quality produce and innovative Chinese cooking.
Focusing on flavours from less well-known provinces of Chine, including Sichuan, Yunnan, Hunan, Juangxi, Guangxi, and Xinjiang, try out something new while you visit Spice Temple. Enjoy their aromatic and fragrant menu banquet style and share your favourite dishes with your family and friends so you can give everything a go! The food is exciting, balanced and bursting with spices and flavours. The absolute stand outs would have to be the Wuxi pork ribs, and tea smoked duck with ages black vinegar. Yum!
Pair your meal with any selection of wines from their drinks menu, designed to complement each regional flavour that is celebrated in their dining menu. Even their superb cocktail menu, inspired by each of the Chinese zodiacs, will leave you stunned, and begging for more!
Masala Theory
545 Crown St, Surry Hills NSW 2010
With winter’s chill finally beginning to take its toll, there’s nothing more appealing than sitting down with your family enjoying a steaming bowl of Indian food at Masala Theory. Enjoy a casual lunch or dinner at this venue that just screams antiquity and modernity with their bright and colourful décor and concoctions inspired from street food from the hearts of New Delhi.
With a motto like “taste above all,” you can rest assured that a meal at Masala Theory appeals to all five sense, especially as make a point to use fresh, healthy, and authentic ingredients. Masala Theory’s menu puts a hip, fresh, and creative, yet casual, twist on traditional Indian dining.
Let this be your warning that this drinks menu is insane! Turning convention upside down with their cocktail’s named after Neo Indian avatars, Masala Theory’s drinks are inspired by Indian tradition, childhood memories, cities, and forgotten ingredients. Including incredible blends such as the Kesar Spritz, with rose infused prosecco, saffron and cardamom elixir, grapefruit soda, and cane sugar, make sure you don’t skip over the boozy side of Masala Theory when you visit.
With new and exciting favourites, and the classics that everyone knows and loves, there’s something for everyone at Masala Theory. Starting off with a bang with irresistible entrees such as curry bombs and wada pav sliders, enjoy a selection of both meat, vegetarian, and vegan options. If you can’t pick from their incredible list of mains, opt for their set menu, at just $70 for the meat options, and $65 for all the vegos out there!
