5 OF THE BEST ASIAN RESTAURANTS IN CHATSWOOD | THE SEBEL RESIDENCE CHATSWOOD
Chatswood has always been known for its abundance of Asian restaurants, reflecting the area’s large Chinese, Korean and Taiwanese communities. But the arrival of The District at Chatswood Interchange in April this year has transformed Chatswood into a foodies delight, with Asian cuisine choices that range from a Michelin-star restaurant to casual street stalls with communal tables.
Chatswood is only 10 kilometres from the Sydney CBD and surrounded by some of the best shopping malls in the city, including Westfield Chatswood, Chatswood Chase, Mandarin Centre and Lemon Grove Shopping Centre.
Whether you’re planning a dumpling crawl of Chatswood, or simply need a lunch stop between shopping outlets, here are five of the best Asian restaurants in Chatswood.
1. Tim Ho Wan
Tim Ho Wan, which translates to ‘add good luck’ in Cantonese, is renown for being the world’s cheapest Michelin-starred restaurant. Chatswood is the first restaurant in Australia, with Sydney CBD, Burwood and Melbourne venues set to open later this year.
Be prepared to queue up to experience the signature BBQ pork buns, which sell an average of 2500 to 3000 buns per day. You won’t need much more than $20 to enjoy the menu at Tim Ho Wan, but it will be difficult to narrow down your choices from the extensive menu. The restaurant doesn’t take bookings, so get in early to enjoy this world class dining destination.
Don’t miss: Baked BBQ pork buns
Visit: www.timhowan.com.au
2. Din Tai Fung
Once a simple street stall in Taipei, Din Tai Fung is now an international franchise with a presence in over 12 countries. It has mastered the art of the humble dumpling, with a hand-made approach that ensures each dumpling weighs between 20.8 and 21.2 grams and is steamed for exactly three minutes.
This commitment to precision is the reason Din Tai Fung was once described as having ‘the world’s tastiest dumplings’ and named one of the top 10 restaurants in the world by the New York Times. Two of its Hong Kong venues have received a Michelin star and the success of its restaurants around Sydney make it clear that Australians are just as enamoured.
Don’t miss: Xiaolongbao (pork dumplings)
Visit: www.dintaifung.com.au
3. Khao Pla
Khao Pla, which means rice and fish in Thai, opened at The District in July and is led by Bangkok chef Pla Rojratanavichai, who has previously worked at Spice I am, Mr Wong and Ms. G’s. The menu is a modern take on traditional classics, with funky hip-hop music and a relaxed, urban street vibe that’s perfect for a casual night out.
Khao Pla offers takeaway and home delivery, but the table service is as excellent as the flavours and will inspire you to stick around for dessert.
Don’t miss: The twice-cooked tamarind pork ribs with palm sugar
Visit: www.facebook.com/KhaoPla
4. New Shanghai
With venues at both Lemon Grove Shopping Centre and Chatswood Chase, New Shanghai is an old favourite. It offers an affordable spot for lunch or dinner, with cafeteria-style options including soup dumplings, noodles, bubbling hot pots and pan-fried buns.
You can watch the ‘aunties’ expertly craft dumplings from behind glass windows, before they’re cooked fresh in bamboo steamers. The result is fresh, delicious dumplings that are loved by locals and visitors alike. But don’t take our word for it—New Shanghai was awarded the highest accolade among Sydney’s cheap eats, with three out of three stars in the SMH Good Food under $30 awards.
Don’t miss: Steamed dumplings
Visit: www.newshanghai.com.au
Meet Fresh
If all those dumplings have you craving something a little sweeter, head over to Meet Fresh after dinner for some traditional Taiwanese desserts. The Chatswood location is one of eight across Sydney and offers handmade, freshly prepared desserts with no added preservatives. You can enjoy shaved ice, herbal jellies, bubble teas, waffles and the famous taro balls, in a variety of flavours.
Don’t miss: Taiwanese taro balls
Visit: meetfresh.net