Highlights of Sydney’s Chinatown

Wander through Dixon St with an empty stomach, and we promise you’ll leave feeling full! There are heaps of yummy places to eat and drink in Haymarket’s Chinatown – but here are our top 5.

Although Melbourne’s Chinatown is the biggest and oldest in Australia, Sydney’s Chinatown offers the most when it comes to variety. Plus, it’s situated right next to Thaitown and Koreatown, so restaurant options feel endless.

There really are heaps of yummy options in Sydney’s iconic Chinatown, with plenty of street food markets and well-established restaurants that will keep your appetite satisfied and your stomach full, with great portion sizes.

Sydney’s Chinatown isn’t just limited to Asian food, either! There are heaps of places to eat and drink, with eateries specialising in international cuisine. And for thrifty diners, there are some great cheap eats around Ultimo Road.

Feeling hungry in Haymarket’s Chinatown? Here are our 5 top picks:

1. Mamak, Haymarket

📍 15 Goulburn St, Haymarket NSW 2000

Mamak is a yummy slice of Kuala Lumpur in the Sydney CBD.

There’s a reason there’s always a queue outside of this well-loved Malaysian eatery! A hub of Malaysian food, the Mamak Haymarket offers Malaysian food at its finest and most comforting. Get a bite of their traditional Roti Chanai!

With a signature roti that promises a light texture thanks to a traditional hand-stretched method, their roti is the perfect accompaniment to literally all of their dishes. Ditch the spoon and get stuck in! Dip in sambal, scoop up Malaysian rendang, or sandwich your beef skewer!

2. Gumshara

📍 9 Kimber Ln, Haymarket NSW 2000

This iconic ramen restaurant is home to some of the most well-known pork ramen in the country. It’s gained status in not only the Sydney CBD, but the whole of New South Wales – now catering to Wollongong and Newcastle too.

According to some diners…this spot would even ‘draw long lines in Japan! Insane.

This restaurant is mostly known for its thicker broths than most ramen and lashings of meat. Gumshara certainly do not shy on their portions.

3. Spicy Joint

📍 25-29 Dixon Street, Haymarket

There are a few Spicy Joint restaurants scattered around Sydney! Sichuan is a much-loved spot in Chinatown. Loved by locals and tourists alike, this flavoursome spot has brought plenty of visitors to Chinatown thanks to the last 20 years.

First time in Spicy Joint? If you’re new to the menu, order the water-boiled fish – it comes with a spicy peanut dressing over the top – definitely a crowd-pleaser!

Most first-time diners opt for their signature fish options, although their hotpots are equally as tasty. The best way to try? Go with as many people as you can, and order it all! Spicy Joint is a big restaurant with plenty of seating, but don’t be fooled by the large restaurant! It’s a popular spot, so it often packs out.

4. Najing Dumplings

📍6 Little Hay St, Haymarket

This dumpling joint arguably has the juiciest dumplings in Haymarket’s Chinatown! Their signature steamed crab bao is a signature menu favourite, while the salted duck is another must-try (duck is the signature of the Nanjing province. In fact, the whole menu caters to duck-based dishes).

Nanjing Province in China has its own staple flavours, which aren’t easy to come by in Sydney.

5. The Eight, Sydney

📍 Market City Shopping Centre, Level 3/13 Hay St, Haymarket

Head here for Yum Cha! With so many Yum Cha restaurants in the Sydney CBD, you’re spoiled for choice. The Eight owes its title to eight different variations of Chinese food that it serves up. Yet it’s Yum Cha that really takes the stage as the signature dish.

A real crowd pleaser would be the Wu Gok, a type of dumpling made from pork and mushrooms.

The Eight really is a Chinatown gem. It’s the perfect spot for a big group dinner, and its stylish decor makes it the perfect evening dinner spot. It’s certainly one to visit if you’re feeling extra hungry!