Overview
It's been three decades since Sydney institution Golden Century opened its doors in Haymarket. The late-night Chinese restaurant is famed for its unbeatable midnight feasts and the queues of chefs, celebrities, hospo workers and everyday diners that line up to partake into them. And in September last year, the Golden Century Group announced it will be opening a new restaurant in Darling Square in late 2019.
While the group didn't divulge much information then, it has just announced the name of the new spot: XOPP by Golden Century. Those who have eaten at the restaurant might recognised the name as a homage to its pipis in XO sauce, a dish that's so revered that even David Chang has called it "the best dish in the world".
The new 160-seat restaurant will be helmed by Billy Wong — son of original owners Eric and Linda — who will develop a more contemporary dining concept that he's hoping will speak to a whole new generation of diners. Most notably, there will be a bar serving snacks and smaller dishes. So it won't be the same as Golden Century in Chinatown, but you can expect to see a few nods to the OG restaurant — including the pipis in XO, we assume.
The XO pipis, shot by Parker Blain.
The venue will be located on the mezzanine level within Darling Square's striking new six-storey Exchange building designed by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma. It's one of a dozen dining options opening on the ground floor of the building, which include a second outpost of Andy Bowdy's Saga, a new bar from craft beer specialists Bucket Boys and an exciting new Japanese pasta shop created by Hamish Ingham and Rebecca Lines of Banksii and Kerby Craig of Ume.
The original Golden Century will remain open until 4am each morning as usual, and will even score the addition of a fancy new upstairs 'wine bank' for private dining and events in June. Along with The Century, which opened at The Star in 2012, this will be the group's third restaurant.
XOPP by Golden Centry will open in Darling Square in August 2019. Stay tuned and we'll let you in on more info and an opening date as it's announced.
Images: Katje Ford and Parker Blain.