6 RCA-winning Asian Restaurants You Need to Try!

As we celebrate the 2024 Readers’ Choice Award-winning venues around the country, let’s put the focus on Asian cuisine this week and delve into flavours that tantalise taste buds and satisfy ravenous hunger. 

Continuing our delicious drive around Australia, here are six RCA-winning Asian dining destinations to put on your culinary radar:

Find the authentic taste of Vietnamese pho at d’Viet House on Shute Harbour Road in Airlie Beach. A colourful vibe of paper lanterns hanging from the ceiling and walls adorned with images of an Asian vibe make for an ideal setting to linger over steaming bowls of pho soup and Korean BBQ plates sure to tempt all palates.

 

Start small with a lemongrass beef bao bun, or spicy chicken gyozas, then dip your spoon into a steaming bowl or rare beef pho noodle soup; before hot sizzling plates of pork slices, served with rice, corn, capsicum, spring onion, special sauce and a side of steamed rice.

Combining the best of East and West, head to Chop ‘n’ Chill on Horton Street in Port Macquarie for street-style Southeast Asian fare blended with the hearty smoked-meat flavours of the Americas. Nestled on the Town Green with spectacular views of the beautiful Hastings River, this restaurant is all about spending great times with family and friends; find indoor-outdoor dining in relaxing surrounds, while a kids’ play park entertains the little ones.

 

Stop in for breaky and chow down on Blazing Saddles – house smoked sausage, bacon, BBQ chilli beans, fried egg, potato chunks and thick toast – dine later on seasonal rich seafood chowder and sourdough toast, before mains such as grilled prawns, scallops, Asian slaw, cashews, mint coriander, jasmine rice and lemon citrus dressing.

Experience the rich culture and flavours of Thailand without leaving Dubbo at Ling Ling Thai on Cobra Street. With a name meaning ‘two monkeys’ in Thai, enjoy quality food and attentive service in fun and funky surroundings of monkey artwork, gold accents and moody lighting, ideal for family gatherings and celebrations.

 

A small family team of Chefs delivers starters such as chicken, corn and peanut money bags and dipping sauce, or salt and pepper squid; moving on to stir-fried crispy pork belly, Chinese broccoli and oyster sauce, or Thai green chicken curry with mixed vegetables, basil, bamboo shoots and sides of steamed rice and roti bread.

Asian fusion has found a home in Forster at Spice Monkey restaurant, tucked underneath Reef Apartments on Wharf Street. Overlooking a pristine waterfront, Spice Monkey offers locals and anyone passing through over the Head Street Bridge, a chance to experience an interactive sushi bar with mesmerising talent from skilled Chefs, whether for intimate dining or special events.

 

A combined 35 years' experience and a desire to create exceptional delights from a passionate Chef duo, provides diners with a menu of Japanese and Asian fare designed for sharing. Snack on tempura soft-shell crab bao with pickled green papaya slaw and chilli mayo, before larger plates of sticky master stock-braised pork belly, seared scallops, mustard and mustard greens.

Wholesome rustic South Asian fare and cheeky cocktails bring Fortitude Valley diners through the doors of Stone & Copper on Brunswick Street. A chic vibe of Edison bulb lighting, black subway tiles and vibrant yellow cushions set the scene for a culinary journey through India, Malaysia and Thailand; or unwind over a drink on a stool at the neon-lit bar, as Brisbane’s entertainment and dining precinct buzzes at night.

 

Start with scallop dumplings in rich and spicy laksa sauce, or Kashmiri chicken tikka with red pepper, onion, yoghurt and chillies; for the main, think plates like red duck curry with lychee, capsicum, Thai basil, chilli and sides of steamed jasmine rice, papadums and mango chutney.

Situated on Kingston Foreshore, Wild Duck Fine Asian Cuisine fuses the vibrant flavours of the Orient delivering them in warm, elegant surrounds. Using the classic elements of golden-hued lighting, white linen, plush beige chairs and teardrop lanterns, this stylish restaurant sets the tone for intimate dining, where the décor is as well presented as the dishes that follow.

 

Taking diners on a journey through Asia’s various regions, the menu features dishes like steamed Balmain bug dumplings, with pickled ginger and red vinegar; then delve into wild mushroom duck breast with baby spinach, mixed forest mushrooms, tempura enoki and porcini powder, or sticky lamb rack and caramel lemongrass chilli jam.