Dive into a delectable exploration of Asian cuisine – a culinary landscape as diverse as the Continent itself – from the bustling street markets of Bangkok to the serene tea houses in Kyoto, Asia boasts a rich tapestry of flavours that captivate the senses.
Join us on a gastronomic journey to seven restaurants where you will discover creative Asian fare on the plate:
Omakase Dining Experiences
Individual, season and produce-driven degustation dining experiences await at AOI.TSUKI. on Punt Road in South Yarra. Delivering an omakase menu and with a name meaning ‘blue moon’, leave yourself in the hands of revered Chefs to deliver ever-changing delights to indulge the senses in intimate surrounds of blond wood, black tiles and moody lighting.
Take a seat at the U-shaped sushi bar as the Chefs banter with guests and produce raw and cooked small bites such as chawanmushi with blue cheese and caviar, then individually made nigiri like squid, sea urchin, tuna, King George whiting and dry-aged salmon. Perhaps witness the show-stopping blowtorched Wagyu with shaved foie gras as you admire the dexterity and creativity on display, paired with a sake flight or wine.
Asian Fusion Fine Dining
Contemporary Asian fusion fine dining is what has discerning Mooloolaba foodies returning time and again to Spice Bar on Mooloolaba Esplanade. Catch sea views as you unwind with an ice-cold glass of wine and watch Chefs in action in the open kitchen, while a red colour palette along with cane baskets on the ceiling bring an Oriental vibe to the ambience, ideal for romantic rendezvous or family catchups.
Choose from five, seven and nine-course dining options, all available with wine matchings; perhaps delve into kingfish and giant sea scallop sashimi with finger lime, ponzu, smoked bone oil and dashi cream, moving onto mains like pulled butter masala goat with labneh, pickled green pawpaw and shallot roti.
Bold Flavours & Fresh Produce
Fresh seafood, cool beats, funky cocktails and tasty wines await Port Lincoln diners at Santi’s on Liverpool Street. This contemporary Asian restaurant focuses on combining bold flavours with fresh produce from the Eyre Peninsula delivered in a trendy vibe of leather banquette seating, portholes in the walls and a vibrant colour scheme, along with an alfresco area ideal for soaking up rays on balmy days.
Pair a Toki Highball cocktail - Japanese whisky, soda and lemon - with starters like housemade steamed dumplings and dipping sauce, or pan-seared prawns, fresh herbs, chilli, garlic, lemon and aioli; for the main, think plates like braised chicken, olives, capers, onion and capsicum, in a rich, red wine infused Napoli sauce, with fresh penne pasta.
Art of Flavour Awaits
The art of flavour is what awaits on the plate at Taste of Tang on Mulga Road in Oatley. With several restaurant iterations, this Sydney dining destination has been serving Malay and Australian-Chinese classics for many years; settle into sleek surrounds of white-clothed tables, Asian movie posters on the walls and softly glowing pendent lights to peruse a menu made from hand-crafted recipes handed down through generations to deliver signature dishes inspired by exotic spices and fresh ingredients.
Begin a memorable culinary journey with chicken satay sticks and peanut sauce, or dip a spoon into a steaming bowl of sweet corn and crab meat soup; signature mains such as Singapore chilli mud crab, eye fillet pepper steak and chicken laksa are sure to entice, best enjoyed with an ice-cold Asahi beer.
Authentic Chinese the Name of the Game
Authentic Chinese food is the name of the game down at Dong Ting restaurant on Elizabeth Street in East Melbourne. Specialising in tasty Hunan dishes that pack a lot of flavour, this dining destination is renowned in foodie circles for its offerings, served in surroundings of painted screens, beautiful timber cabinets and traditional accents, setting the scene for memorable meals with family and friends.
From a menu that changes with the seasons, start your feast with sizzling marinated squid tentacles and vegetables, before plates such as sliced basa, with chilli sauce and radish. Perhaps hearty lamb stew, seasonable vegetables and steamed rice hits the mark; or slow-cooked beef brisket, roast potatoes and stir-fried vegetables in garlic sauce.
Vibrant East Asian Cuisine
From Malaysia’s spice to China’s glow, you’ll find it on the plate at Hawkers Wok on Darlinghurst Road in Potts Point. Located in Kings Cross Centre and delivering the authentic vibrancy of East Asian cuisine playfully fused with a Western twist, expect a dining experience like no other as you are met at the door by mascot Hokkie.
From a menu celebrating the diversity of East Asian culinary offerings that tantalise taste buds from lip-smacking laksa to delicious dumplings, each dish is a testament to a commitment to flavour and innovation. Start with steamed chicken, mushroom and prawn shu mai, before braised beef brisket with Sichuan chilli in a clay pot, or salt and pepper calamari with steamed rice and vegetables.
Sushi, Sashimi and Bento Delights
For the vibrant fresh flavours of Japanese cuisine, discerning Cairns diners head to Wawawa Izakaya on Lake Street. From the colourful wall murals of a Japanese woman and Mount Fuji to bright neon signage, this restaurant sets a trendy vibe for delving into sushi, sashimi and bento delights, while chilling out with a Sapporo beer in hand.
Kickstart your culinary adventure with scallops, French onion, shallot, flying fish roe and secret sauce, or lollipop karaage fried chicken, then devour free-range pork belly in soy, garlic and ginger broth with leek, thread chilli and sansho; or Yuan-style sake salmon with mushrooms, fried onion, beans and miso vinegar sauce, best enjoyed with a glass of house sake.
