By Marie-Antoinette Issa.
From historic enclaves to underrated gems, this roundup of the best Chinatowns in Australia invites you to explore the vibrant cultural and culinary diversity of one of the country’s oldest immigrant communities.
The most popular Chinatowns across the globe are those ethnic enclaves that have not only preserved Chinese (and indeed Asian) culture but also introduced it to the world. From culinary delights to cultural landmarks, the best Chinatowns in Australia are a testament to the nation's celebration of diversity.
So, whether you're a local or a curious traveller, a visit to these vibrant hubs promises an immersive - and delicious - experience.
Australia's oldest Chinatown: Melbourne
The unofficial coffee and cultural capital of Australia can also lay claim to the country’s oldest Chinatown, offering evidence of the enduring presence and contributions of the Chinese community Down Under. Established during the gold rush in the 19th Century by (the mainly Cantonese) early immigrants, today Melbourne's Chinatown stretches from Little Bourke to Lonsdale Streets. It remains a lively hub filled with bars, cafes and restaurants representing diverse Asian cuisines.
Tuck into scallops in XO sauce or pork belly with pickled vegetables at West Lake - a Chinatown icon (with celebrity endorsements, like Jackie Chan), renowned for serving late-night classics and authentic yum cha until 5pm, since 1982.
Settle into a seat at the double-storey dumpling haven that is Shanghai Village, where bright pink walls, an extensive menu (including Shanghai-style dishes and vegetarian options) and a generous BYO policy have made it one of the most popular options for rowdy celebrations.
Beyond its culinary delights, Melbourne's Chinatown is also home to cultural landmarks such as the Chinese Mission Church and the Chinese Museum, which houses the Dragon Gallery featuring the world's longest dragon. The area comes alive on the third Friday of every month with the Chinatown Night Market, where Heffernan Lane transforms into a bustling marketplace with an array of Asian delights.
Australia's biggest Chinatown: Sydney
Sydney boasts the largest Chinatown in Australia, a thriving urban enclave that has evolved into a multicultural powerhouse.
From its origin as a timber storage yard in Haymarket in the 1920s (where Chinese people sought work in the wholesale produce market) to the inception of the Chinese Garden of Friendship in the 1980s (which aimed to represent the connection between Sydney and its sister city, Guangzhou), the nation’s biggest Chinatown has truly undergone a vibrant transformation over the decades, that offers unique experiences - including a vibrant night market every Friday.
No longer a strictly Chinese precinct, today the traditional ceremonial gates of Chinatown Sydney’s main thoroughfare Dixon Street welcome tourists into a vibrant pedestrian mall representing a diverse range of Asian street food and finer fare.
Alongside classic Cantonese seafood restaurant East Ocean, 60 cent cream puffs at Emperor’s Bakery and the authentic-albeit-less-common Uygur cuisine from China's north-west at Kiroran Silk Road restaurant, these also include other popular dishes from across the Indo-Pacific.
Think offerings such as Malaysian roti at Mamak, deep-fried barramundi with Thai mango salad by Long Chim alumni chefs at Porkfat and crispy Korean fried chicken and soju at Arisun.
Honourable mentions: other smaller-scale Chinatowns that have positioned themselves among the Harbour City’s best, include those in Ashfield, Burwood, Cabramatta, Eastwood, and most recently in the South Eastern Sydney suburb of Mascot.
Australia's most underrated Chinatown: Adelaide
Nestled within the Central Market precinct (sprawling across Gouger, Mounter and Grote Streets), Chinatown in Adelaide may be more modest in size compared to its bigger metropolitan counterparts, but it is no less vibrant. In fact, its compact offerings lend to an authentic bustling experience and arguably make it among the most dynamic in Australia.
Dating back to the arrival of Chinese labourers from Singapore in 1847, Adelaide's Chinatown thrived after an influx of migrants from other Australian states following the enforcement of immigration restrictions in Victoria.
Today, Adelaide's Chinatown welcomes visitors with traditional architectural archways and lion statues, creating an authentic and immersive experience, packed with the best culinary and cultural contributions of a plethora of Asian immigrants.
Alongside some obviously amazing Chinese (such as Concubine, an AGFG Readers’ Choice Award for Best Chinese), Japanese, Taiwanese and Vietnamese dishes are also among the most vibrant. These include the sushi and sashimi platters at Wasai Japanese Kitchen; Taiwan-inspired snowflake shaved ice desserts topped with fruit and ice cream at Meet Fresh Dessert Shop and the namesake sandwiches at Banh Mi Vietnamese Rolls.
Australia's edgiest Chinatown: Brisbane
Alongside the older more traditional Chinatown found in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley, the suburb of Sunnybank (near Mt Gravatt Shopping Centre) is home to Brisbane's younger Chinatown. Fuelled by Asian investors who believe that Sunnybank is ‘blessed with good feng shui’ because of its name (Sunny connotes energy, while ‘bank’ alludes to ‘wealth’) here, a gathering of unique shops has seen this unconventional Chinatown rise in popularity for its authenticity and ability to offer diverse experiences.
Anchored by Sunnybank Plaza and woven between stores selling traditional Chinese clothes and supermarkets providing a rich array of fresh Asian produce and pantry essentials, you will find possibly the finest ramen in Brisbane at the quaint hole-in-the-wall noodle haven, Hakataya.
Sunnybank's most popular yum cha experience occurs at the grand Landmark and unrivalled bowls of steaming pho at Pho Hien Vuong Pasteur, both considered a Sunnybank favourite and possibly the best in Brisbane.
