The Ten Best Chinese Restaurants in Sydney

Who doesn’t love a good dose of dumplings? Or yum cha? Wonton noodle soup, pork buns, peking duck pancakes, crispy shallots or stir-fried Asian greens with lashings of oyster sauce? With Sydney being such a multicultural city, there's certainly no shortage of authentic Chinese cuisine. The culinary variations are aplenty and can be somewhat overwhelming.

Yes, Chinatown does have the goods, but let us guide you to some other tasty places in Sydney that we think are equally impressive. Some of these guys are unassuming little gems; some are imperial institutions that have been satisfying our oriental cravings for years. So get your diaries out and organise a fascinating feast for the senses with some awesome Chinese food.

Din Tai Fung

An infamous Taiwanese noodle chain has introduced Sydney to the best dumplings it's ever had. Peer into the kitchen and you can observe the production line — it’s hypnotising. Once inside, order up a storm. A must have are the Xiao Long Bao pork dumplings ($8.80 for 6, $10.80 for 8), filled with hot broth as well as a delicious pork filling.Try the vegetable and pork wonton soup ($9.50) or the vegetable and pork wonton dipped in a spicy sauce ($11.80) for an extra kick. Refreshment-wise, the lychee mint juice ($6.50) is hard to go past, while the steamed mini black sesame bun ($1.90) for dessert is an indulgent way to finish up your meal.

Mon - Wed 11.30am - 2.30pm, 5.30pm - 9pm, Thu 11.30am - 2.30pm, 5.30pm - 9.30pm, Fri - Sat 11am - 3pm, 5pm - 9.30pm, Sun 11am - 3pm, 5pm - 9pm; 644 George Street, Sydney 2000; (02) 9264 6010; www.dintaifungaustralia.com.au

BBQ King Restaurant

Dead ducks hanging in the window, kitsch Chinese decor and the best peking duck in Sydney. What more could one ask for? Take advantage of the late opening hours too — this place is a godsend when you’re attempting to curb that drunken hunger at 1.30am.

There’s plenty on offer, but our advice is to go straight down the cliche line. The signature dishes here are obviously, the roast peking duck and pork, although the full serves can be difficult to get through. An easier option is the peking duck pancakes, served up with slices of roast duck, green onions, hoisin sauce and chilli to taste and an unmissable entree is the san choy bow. This is a restaurant made for groups, so don't be scared to organise a big night out.

Mon - Sun 11.30am - 2am; 18 Goulburn Street, Sydney; (02) 9267 2586

China Lane

Deep in the business district of the CBD is China Lane, another laneway bonus for the corporate end of the CBD — China Lane means business. It seems obligatory at every mod-Asian joint to have a twist on the pork bun.  At China Lane, it's no different. Pulled pork, mayo and crisp shallots are piled upon a flattened steamed bao ($16 for two). Pig’s ears seem to be making a comeback. Here, they’re crisped and caramelised, served with lemongrass ($8), and delicious. The grilled dory with coconut sambal ($19) is a light treat, and a good compliment to the lamb and chili hot pot ($30) or the pick of the bunch, the soy-braised pork belly ($30). And if you’ve got room for dessert, the exquisite pistachio and lemongrass parfait ($14) with pandan syrup is a sweet and aesthetic treasure.

Mon - Fri 12pm - 3pm; 6pm - 10.30pm, Saturday 5pm - 10.30pm; 2 Angel Place, Sydney; www.chinalane.com.au

Kam Fook

This place is an institution. Crowds gather outside for lunch on weekends like the Rolling Stones have come to town. And considering it seats 600, it’s certainly saying something. Half the fun here is to have some of the dishes fried up in front of you on the dedicated ‘frying cart’ — the traditional way of Cantonese yum cha. The other half is observing the organised chaos that goes on around you. Fried rice rolls, steamed prawn dumplings (har gow), sliced BBQ pork, stuffed crab claw: it’s pretty much all going to please you. Either order directly from the menu or flag down one of the apron and trolleys that are whirring around. Special mention goes to the Kam Fook spicy seafood hot pot though — the fiery broth is in a class of its own and there’s no skimping on fresh seafood.

Mon - Sun Lunch 10am - 3pm; Dinner 5.30pm - 10pm; Shop 600, Level 6, Westfield Chatswood; www.kamfook.com.au

Mr. Wong

Mr. Wong is another post-midnight dining option that we Sydneysiders are certainly happy about. Especially considering that head chefs Dan Hong (Ms. G's and El Loco) and Jowett Yu (ex Ms. G's) are serving up authentic Cantonese fare in plush 1930s Shanghai-inspired surrounds. The steamed dim sum platter (eight pieces for $32) is a solid option to start as is the yellowfin tuna ($19). Tail this with a full serve (16 pancakes) of the peking duck pancakes ($88) and you'll quite openly celebrate the fact that you've over eaten. For dessert try Mr. Wong's deep fried ice cream served with butterscotch sauce, vanilla or chocolate ($14). Whether you're there for the dim sum or a more involved eating experience, this place guarantees one thing: satisfaction.

Mon - Sun lunch 12 - 3pm, dinner 5.30 - late, Thu - Sat until 2am; 3 Bridge Lane, Sydney; (02) 9240 3000; www.merivale.com.au/mrwong

Hung Cheung Chinese Restaurant

As well as trendy and favourable cafes, Marrickville is also home to a winning Chinese seafood restaurant, offering some of Sydney’s best yum cha. Don’t expect anything flash or fancy though — this is Cantonese family dining at its loudest and proudest. Get here pronto on a weekend or else you’ll have to wait (albeit it’s worth it). Use of fresh ingredients is apparent and their dumplings that are made on site are not to be missed (hot tip — snow pea and prawn $6 for six). For those who love a good salty treat, the salt and pepper battered whitebait is a plate to wave down and the steamed BBQ pork buns (char siu bao) are probably the best version outside of Hong Kong. For the brave there is tripe in black bean sauce and chicken feet; alternatively Singapore noodles, siu mai and a good old plate of steamed greens with lashing of oyster sauce won’t let you down.

Mon - Sun 9am- 11pm; 338 Marrickville Road, Marrickville; (02) 9560 4681

Chairman Mao

You know you’re on to something good when a hatted chef is tipping this Chinese as his favourite in Sydney. One of the only Hunan restaurants in Sydney (aptly named after its most famous citizen), Chairman Mao is one of the hottest eateries around this part of town: pun intended. The Hunan territory is well known for its spicy and peppery flavours: honest, candid cooking laced with garlic and chilli. The five-spice tofu with leeks and red hot chilli ($14.80) and the spicy duck with celery and chilli ($28.80) are punching with flavour and heat, yet sustaining clarity and not assaulting your tastebuds. Stir-fried green capsicum with preserved duck egg ($19.80) may not be the most attractive sounding dish, but worth a try for the brave. However, the standout dish would have to be the steamed pork belly with preserved vegetables ($18.80) — a classic Hunan dish that is so fatty and naughty, yet utterly delicious and irresistible. Wash it all down with an icy cold beer ($7) and the complimentary spicy sour pickled cucumber and just forget about your arteries for one night.

Mon, Wed & Thus: 5-10pm; Fri-Sun 5pm-11pm; 189 Anzac Parade, Kensington; (02) 9697 9189

Chinese Noodle Restaurant

Chinese Noodle Restaurant may have plastic grapevines suspended from the ceiling and kitschy tapestry on the walls (reflective of the Xinjang Provence), but don’t let this quirk deter you. Small and pokey simply means quick and cosy and it’s the handmade noodles and dumplings that you’re here for. Half the fun at this bustling joint is trying to get a mouthful of the delicious hand-pulled noodles into your gob whilst thoughtfully paying attention to the violin entertainment that unexpectedly occurs intermittently. The other half is trying to decide what to order. Mini pork and chive dumplings ($8.80 for 12), braised eggplant ($11.80), soupy pork buns ($5), spring pancakes ($8.80 for 2), shredded pork pancakes ($3.80)…all these palatable options means you’ll just have to ensure a revisit.

Mon - Sun 10am-10pm; Shop TG7, 8 Quay Street, Haymarket; (02) 9281 9051

Shanghai Night

Dumpling lovers be warned: your belts will be loosened and your dreams may be filled with images of loose little pouches filled with minced pork and piping hot broth. Shanghai Night in Ashfield is a cheap and cheerful restaurant that is home to some of the best Shanghai pork dumplings you will eat. With a pastry skin slightly thicker than the Cantonese variety, these handcrafted morsels of joy are evidently made with patience and care. The pan-fried pork and crab buns ($12.80) are a must-order menu item and the mini pork-buns ($6.80 for 8) cannot be snubbed either. The vege dumplings ($5.80 for 12) are small open parcels of goodness and for those of you who are perhaps dumpling-ed out, try the shallot pancakes ($4.80) or the stir-fried noodles with pork strips — an absolute steal at $8.80, the silky strips from the fiery wok are smoky and deliciously tender.

Mon - Sun 10am-10pm; 275 Liverpool Road, Ashfield; (02) 9798 8437

Billy Kwong at Eveleigh Markets

Why wait till dinnertime to get into Billy Kwong’s restaurant when Kylie and the team are cooking up a storm at Eveleigh Markets every Saturday morning? Forget bacon and egg roll or pancakes with blueberries. Kick start your Saturday and tuck into some delicious steamed savoury pancakes ($10.50) that are piled high with fresh vegetables, egg and a sweet but slightly salty caramel-tamari sauce. The deliciously wholesome dish is somewhat difficult to eat standing up, but the sunshine outside invites you to cop a spot in order to tackle this healthy breakfast.

Everything else on the short menu mustn’t be overlooked either. The steamed free-range pork dumplings ($8.50) are easier to eat and just as scrumptious, so too are the steamed sticky rice parcels ($8.50). Filled with macadamias, goji berries, crushed crickets and a homemade chilli sauce, you have to get to the markets early to nab this bestseller. If you miss out, don’t fret — there’s always next week. And the week after. In fact, you’ll find yourself getting up at the crack of dawn every Saturday to satisfy that Kwong craving that’s been lingering since the previous week.

Every Saturday 8am-1pm; 243 Wilson Street, Darlington; (02) 9209 4735 (markets); (02) 9332 3300 (Billy Kwong restaurant); www.kyliekwong.org

For more Chinese goodness, check out The Five Best Dumpling Restaurants in Sydney and The Ten Best Things to do in Chinatown