Some of the world’s best ethnic cuisines can be enjoyed right in Sydney, and Chinatown, found in the Haymarket section in the heart of town, is the place to get some of the very best Asian food you’ve ever tried. Whether you’re visiting this vibrant city on business or on holiday, be sure to have a lunch or dinner at one of this neighborhood’s many Chinese focused eateries, which range from grand, high end banquets to little holes in the wall -and even street carts. Many have menus posted outside so you can choose a place suited to your taste and budget. Here are a few top spots for Chinese specialties, some popular and some lesser known, but all well worth checking out while you are in town. This is just a small representation of the many bustling spots that will vie for your business while you’re there. Don’t be afraid to wander into a tiny place that barely has a sign. If it’s open and in Sydney, the odds are pretty good that you’ll be stumbling into a positive dining experience. With so many great options in local proximity, the eateries all strive to outdo each other regarding quality and service. You, the traveler, reap the benefits of having so many options available to you, the only difficult part being deciding where to eat!
1. Red Chilli
Featuring spicy authentic Sichuan cuisine, you can enjoy a traditional meal of painstakingly prepared homestyle dishes that feature, of course hot peppers! Whether kissing meat, permeating through oils, or dried and sprinkled on an array of dishes, the heat is palpable, but always balanced with refreshing and creamy textures. Try the crispy peppered chicken and wash it all down with a perfect, ice cold beer.
2. Marigold
Plump and yummy dumplings, ’Yum Cha’ of all kinds, can be found out on the street carts, but to make a meal out of them, go to Marigold. They are fresh, expertly crafted, and perfectly steamed. Marigold is a luncheon room dotted with cart pushing waitresses stopping at the tables in traditional Yum Cha fashion, and there are more than just the lovely dumplings to enjoy (note: the shrimp ones are particularly good). You can also round out your meal with large selection of tasty side dishes, including, to name just a few, rich and delicious beef tendon, radish cakes, and crispy broccoli in oyster sauce.
3. Mustang
For something a little different, how about Nepalese cuisine? A sort of blend of Chinese and Indian influences, Nepal’s food has its own unique yet comfortingly familiar tastes to enjoy. Hop in a Budget Car Hire and head north on the Pacific Highway a few towns up to Crow’s Nest, and experience Nepalese at Mustang, which, along with the excellent cuisine, offers warm and welcoming hospitality that will make it well worth the trip. Don’t miss the chicken momo, Nepal’s signature dish inspired by Tibetan cuisine: a stuffed dumpling that is served with a savory sauce made with grilled tomato and sesame seeds. There are also wonderful curries of goat and lamb, and delicious basmati rice dishes that can be best described as Chinese-Indian fusion, but the sum of its parts is distinctively Nepalese.
Famous in Chinatown for it’s delectable roast pork, this humble little gem of a restaurant offers a stall outside as well as indoor seating so you can grab a tasty bite on the go or languish some time away inside as you choose. Either way, you’ll experience some of the best roast pork and duck you’ll ever try. Well seasoned rice and veggies square the meal, but it’s the meats that you’ll keep going back for. Roast duck for brekky isn’t quite as odd as it sounds, hence people flooding in at 9AM (when they open) to start their day with some unexpected (for breakfast, anyway) deliciousness!
