Melbourne's Best Asian Restaurants

Jinda Thai Restaurant is a bustling spot housed in a simple warehouse setting, known for its extensive range of delicious Thai dishes. They offer a notable vegan menu, catering to diverse dietary needs. Inspired by the famous crab omelette from Jay Fai, Jinda's version is equally impressive and a must-try for all food enthusiasts.

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Pat Nourse

Food Writer – Melbourne, Australia

Have you been obsessing over that crab omelette at Jay Fai you saw on Netflix? This version, made at the mighty Jinda, might well be the closest you'll get in Melbourne this winter. It's not rolled, and not nearly so crabby, but it’s pretty damned great nonetheless. The best Thai restaurant in Melbourne? Quite probably. And a real leader in vegan Thai options.

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Pho Thin Melbourne, originally from Hanoi, offers a distinctive take on pho that stood out for 40 years in Vietnam before coming to Melbourne. The signature dish is their "stir-fried up" pho bo, where the beef is tossed in a wok before being added to the soup, and green onions replace the usual white. They also offer Vietnamese doughnuts, also known as youtiao, perfect for dipping.

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Pat Nourse

Food Writer – Melbourne, Australia

The signature “stir-fried up” pho bo from famed Hanoi noodle shop Pho Thin. They’ve just arrived in Melbourne having rocked it back in Vietnam for 40 years with their idiosyncratic take on pho. The beef is tossed in a wok before it goes in the soup, the onion is green rather than white, and bean sprouts are verboten. Liked it. I think it’s different to anything else in town, and definitely worth a look. What I really like is that unlike most pho shops in Australia they offer what they call Vietnamese doughnuts (and what I’d call youtiao) on the side for the dippins.

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Anchovy restaurant offers a contemporary take on traditional Asian cuisine, delivering dishes that may appear straightforward but are layered with complexity. As per customer recommendations, every meal at Anchovy is enjoyable, with Chef Thi skillfully infusing modern twists into classic Asian flavors. Experience the intricate balance of simplicity and complexity in every dish at Anchovy.

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Kay-Lene Tan

Head Pastry Chef – Melbourne, Australia

A modern twist on traditional Asian flavours. Seemingly simple, but complex.Never had a meal here that I didn’t enjoy. Chef Thi has a way of putting a modern twist on traditional Asian flavours. Her dishes are seemingly simple, but complex.

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Chin Chin is a beloved Melbourne institution known for its delicious takeaway menu. This restaurant offers a selection of their most loved dishes, with the Rendang being a standout favorite among patrons. While most of their dishes reheat well and the curries are said to taste even better the next day, it's suggested to skip the roti as it doesn't travel well.

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Thomas Carr

Journalist – Melbourne, Australia

Let’s talk about another Melbourne institution offering an efficient (and delicious) take-away menu during the crisis we know (and loathe) as COVID-19. Chin Chin is offering a small selection of their most loved dishes to soften the blow and accompany our mid week #Netflix binges. Their standout dish for me is their RENDANG - it’s bloody sensational. Avoid the roti - it doesn’t travel well. I’ve found most things to be easily reheated and the curries, of course, taste even better the following day. So, order up and support local!

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Mumchan is a Korean restaurant that brings traditional family flavors to your table, either in-store or online. They offer a variety of dishes including Banchan, Kimbap, and traditional Bibimbap, as well as house-made kimchis and other side dishes. For those who prefer home-cooked meals, Mumchan also provides pre-cooked, homestyle dishes that you can easily heat at home.

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Jess Ho

Author & freelance writer – Melbourne, Australia

Pick up a quick and easy kimbap, punch up your meal with house-made kimchis, annul and other side dishes. Hit the fridges for cooked, transitional, home style dishes to heat at home.

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Mr. Miyagi offers a playful take on Japanese cuisine in a casual but fancy setting. Known for its amazing bao buns and a vibrant atmosphere, this restaurant in Windsor is perfect for groups of friends. Reservations are recommended, especially for larger groups, but walk-ins are also welcome.

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Margaux Koopman

Foodie – London, United Kingdom

Really fun Japanese restaurant in MelbourneAmazing bao bunsGreat atmosphere Funky decorations Groups of friends vibes

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Dao Noodle is a restaurant specializing in Dao xiao mian noodles, a delicacy from China's Shanxi province. Known for their handmade long and chewy noodles, they offer a unique experience with their secret sauce. Their menu also includes a variety of other dishes and drinks, and they operate six days a week, providing both pick-up and dine-in options.

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Pat Nourse

Food Writer – Melbourne, Australia

The best example of Dao xiao mian in Melbourne, if not Australia, might well be Dao Noodle.The fastest noodle in the world? It’s gotta be dao xiao mian, the knife-cut nood that is the pride of China’s Shanxi (one A) province. And the best example of it in Melbourne, if not Australia? It might well be Dao Noodle. Certainly the version I ate here, drenched in chicken gravy and dressed with wood-ear fungus and ham, makes a very strong case.

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Sunda Dining is an industrial-chic restaurant that offers a sophisticated interpretation of modern Australian cuisine, with a menu that draws on the flavors of Southeast Asia and native Australian ingredients. The restaurant is known for its roti covered in shaved truffle with vegemite curry and Bannockburn chicken with Thai sausage, gai lan and bush apple. The restaurant provides a four-course menu for all guests, and it is recommended to make reservations in advance to enjoy the dining experience.

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Thomas Carr

Journalist – Melbourne, Australia

Industrial chic, flavourful tucker. This place has such a sexy aesthetic. Gorgeous tall ceilings, great lighting, it's the perfect spot for a date...in fact, I definitely saw a few in play. Obvious highlight was their roti (covered in shaved truffle) with vegemite curry, as well as their bannockburn chicken with Thai sausage, gai lan and bush apple. Gosh it was nice. Sunda is the sister restaurant of ARU and can I just say, they're both worth your time x

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Serai is a fusion restaurant where the intense flavors of Filipino cuisine meet the creativity of modern Australian cooking. The menu, crafted by Chef Ross Magnaye, showcases his personal interpretation of Filipino dishes, with highlights such as Abrolhos scallop in pandesal and a standout caramelised cabbage. The dining experience is further enhanced by a selection of natural wines and an energetic atmosphere.

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Jill Dupleix

Food writer – Sydney, Australia

Fire meets flavour meets Filipino - in a Melbourne laneway, naturally.The tag 'Modern Australian' gets so much more interesting when our chefs stop being generic and start getting personal. Ross Magnaye plays fast and loose with his own Filipino aesthetic, fiery coals, natural wines, loud music and high-energy pacing and table-turning. Abrolhos scallop in pandesal, crunch and tang. The cabbage is what all other cabbages aspire to be, the best version of themselves, crusted and caramelised and meltingly sweet. (Bad photo of cabbage, sorry, looks like road-kill).

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Dainty Sichuan Hot Pot - CBD is renowned for its la zi ji, a spicy chicken dish from Chongqing, China, often considered the best in Australia. The restaurant is beloved by locals who appreciate its authentic Sichuan hot pot offerings. If you're a fan of spicy food, Dainty Sichuan Hot Pot - CBD is a must-visit.

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Pat Nourse

Food Writer – Melbourne, Australia

I have to stop and remind myself occasionally that I live in the same city as the best la zi ji in Australia. I love you, Dainty; I love you, Chongqing chicken.

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