The Best Asian Restaurants in Sydney for a Flavoursome Feast

It’s no secret that Sydneysiders have an enduring love affair with Asian cuisine. There are plenty of restaurants scattered across the city, overwhelming us with choice, so, we’ve done a little digging, a little tasting and a whole lot of sipping to help you decide where to pop in next. From traditional food to fancy fusion fare, there’s a restaurant to cover every taste. 

Whether you’re in the mood for Chinese, Japanese, Thai or Malaysian, read on for our favourite Asian restaurants in Sydney. 

Annamese 

Located right by the water down at Barangaroo, Annamese is helmed by Executive Chef Andy Pruksa (Muum Maam). Combining the fresh flavours of Vietnam, Thailand and wider Asia with a dash of modern Australian influence, the menu at Annamese is super fresh, boasting the likes of wok-tossed Australian king prawns, slow-cooked lamb shoulder with peanut coconut curry and Sydney Rock oyster with nuoc cham haisan dressing, green chili, lime & black caviar.

2/2 Watermans Quay, Barangaroo

Golden Century 

A decades long favourite, Golden Century 2.0 has revived favourites from the original menu including the legendary pipis in XO sauce. To sample a bit of everything, head in on for the Yum Cha offering that boasts over 80 dishes available to nibble on. The new location delivers sweeping views out across the harbour from level 3 of Crown Sydney.

 Level 3, Crown Sydney 

Grandfather’s

Grandfather’s, from the iconic team behind Pellegrino 2000, is named after restaurant co-owner Michael Clift’s inspiring Grandfather, focuses on the regions of Guangdong and Sichuan. A huge wine list with a Riesling focus dominates the drinks offering, whilst the yum cha service offers a fun way to sample some of the menu’s most-beloved dishes.

Angel Place, Sydney

Itō

Head Chef Erik Ortolani has combined his Italian heritage and passion for Japanese cooking to craft something truly unique here. Dishes like yellowfin tuna served on bonito bread with shaved bottarga and Wagyu mafaldine paired with white shimeji and miso grace the menu and will give you a whole new appreciation for fusion cuisine. 

Key to the Itō experience is the drinks menu which features Japanese-inspired classic cocktails, a quirky selection of wines from Japan and an extensive sake selection. The pared-back interiors with fun pops of colour set the scene for the perfect night out. 

413-415 Crown Street, Surry Hill

Cho Cho San

Stepping into Cho Cho San is an interior design lover’s dream, complete with a lightbox on the ceiling that can alter the ambience of the place. It’s Nordic chic, but the menu is Japanese. The raw bar and pork tonkatsu are not to be missed whilst the matcha soft serve and black sesame mochi have you covered for delish desserts. 

73 Macleay Street, Potts Point

Lee Ho Fook

A welcome addition to the city’s contemporary Chinese cuisine scene, Melbourne’s two-hatted Lee Ho Fook finally has a Sydney outpost. Diners can expect to be met by Lee Ho fook’s signature bare brick walls, ambient neon lighting and palette of red, black and brass, whilst on the food front, small and punchy plates like crispy eggplant with spiced red vinegar precede larger mains like Kung Pao Skull Island prawns, and steamed Glacier 51 Toothfish with silken tofu. 

203 Castlereagh Street, Sydney

Sokyo

Take your time dining on delectable Japanese-inspired dishes at Sokyo, as you listen to the chilled-out beats from their resident DJ. If you’re up for something extra special, book in to Sokyo’s popular omakase experience which will have you feasting on 23 perfectly plated morsels. 

The Star, Level G, 80 Pyrmont Street, Pyrmont

Mr Wong

If you’re ready to feast on dim sum, dumplings, and the juiciest Peking duck you’ve ever tasted, treat yourself to dinner at Mr Wong. The CBD space is lavish and spread over two levels, but it feels intimate thanks to its décor and dim lighting. Chef Dan Hong’s menu is modern and fresh (just wait till you try the house-made XO sauce), with a sophisticated wine list to match.

3 Bridge Street, Sydney

Spice Temple

Spice Temple is a sensory experience from start to finish. The dining room is striking: picture silk curtains, rich red carpets and black furnishings. Order a banquet of crispy dry Wagyu, spice fried chicken with ‘heaven facing chillies’, spiced eggplant, rice noodles with spanner crab, and fragrant prawns. The dishes are hot, but the zodiac-themed cocktails will cool you down.

10 Bligh Street, Sydney

Spice I Am

With a slew of awards to their name, you know the food at Spice I Am is bound to be good. Bringing the flavours of Bangkok to the Surry Hills foodie scene, all the dishes here are bursting with flavour and as their name suggests, they like their dishes with a bit of spice. The restaurant runs its own micro-farm that provides the ingredients for their homemade curry paste and more. A hidden gem! 

90 Wentworth Avenue, Surry Hills

If you enjoyed this edit of the best Asian restaurants in Sydney and are keen to continue your culinary adventures around the city, be sure to take a peek at our set menus under $150 edit here and our round up of the best Italian restaurants in Sydney here.