Stroll down Gouger or Grote Street and be overwhelmed with the range of restaurants rich with international cuisine. You can tuck into seafood, Argentinian, Indian, Malaysian, Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese and Thai food!
Two large Paifang guarded by Chinese lions mark the entrance of Chinatown at either end of Moonta Street. The area is also home to many Asian grocery stores and markets.
Wah Hing
With a reputation for both a dazzling setting and delightful Chinese cuisine, Wah Hing has the makings of an all-round winner. On Gouger Street, the restaurant is always busy, but its staff never seems rushed and tables are easily found despite the crowds. Starters such as shallot pancakes, stuffed with perfectly fried prawns and tea-smoked duck are a must. Sizzling black pepper kangaroo and eggplant hotpot are also a treat. The main course menu is just as exciting, with lemon chicken served piled high, three tender fillets lightly battered and coated in a sauce that gets the balance between sweet and sour just right. Salt and pepper squid is also worth trying.
The restaurant has a modern locale with timber floors and streetside tables, and its staff is known for their friendly service. The dining room is filled with large banquettes that are ideal for groups, and it is possible to book a table outside when the weather is fine. The menu features a wide selection of authentic dishes, and there is a good choice for vegetarians.
This is one of Adelaide’s most popular Asian restaurants, and it has won many awards and accolades. The restaurant is a family-owned business and offers delicious food in a beautiful atmosphere. The service is quick and efficient, and the prices are very reasonable. The restaurant is a must-visit for people who love authentic Chinese cuisine. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner, and the menu includes a variety of traditional dishes. The dishes are made from fresh ingredients and are very tasty. The restaurant is located in the heart of Chinatown, and its atmosphere is very relaxing.
Concubine
In an area awash in Chinese restaurants of all persuasions Concubine stands out for its sophistication. Located at the fashionable end of Gouger Street the restaurant is a step up from its neighbours with a modern contemporary fit out and service that matches the quality of the food. This is reflected in the menu which takes a western entrees-and-mains approach, rather than the encyclopaedic list found at many regular Chinese joints.
There is a good mix of dishes that include the familiar favourites like shallot pancakes, prawn and chive dumplings and chicken san choi bao but it also has some interesting fusion twists such as the South Australian prawns served with lime infused salt and Sarawak pepper. The crunch of the prawns, the acidity of the lime and the heat of the Sarawak pepper combine to give a complex flavour that will surprise and delight diners.
Another stand out dish is the salt and pepper squid, which comes as curled strips of tube in a zingy coating with a trace of sweetness. They are tossed with slices of apple, salad greens and fine slivers of chilli. The squid is melt-in-the-mouth tender with the crisp apple and freshness of the salad providing a pleasant contrast.
The Lotus banquet, at $45 a head is great value and the meal begins with a choice of three starters, including prawn and chive dumplings which are among the best in town and the crispy squid. The mains are the real star of the show though and we order a range of dishes including the lamb kung pao, the crispy soft shell crab in sweet and sour sauce and the red curry duck with pineapple and lychees.
The food was excellent and the service very prompt. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone. It is a beautiful building with besutuful Asian decor!
Shiqi
Located in the heart of Adelaide, Chinatown is a melting pot of cultures and Asian treats. The streets are paved with five star restaurants, street food stalls and Asian grocery stores. The area is world-renowned for its diverse range of international cuisine and Oriental treats. It is a must-visit for any food lover. It is best known for its traditional Chinese dishes, but visitors can also enjoy cuisine from Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia.
The vibrant shopping and dining hub stretches over Moonta Street and the Central Market precinct, flanked by Gouger and Grote Streets. It features Paifang (traditional Chinese gates) and red lanterns that add to its charm. It is also home to a variety of Asian markets and cafes.
Adelaide’s Chinatown is also home to a plethora of cultural events, such as the OzAsia festival and Lunar New Year festivities. Visitors can take part in the festivities, sample some of the city’s finest foods and shop for traditional decorations and gifts.
This Chinatown is also popular among property investors and locals, with many tall apartment blocks popping up in the surrounding area. These apartments cater to a diverse group of people, including students and offshore Chinese buyers.
For a taste of authentic Chinese cuisine, visit T-Chow restaurant. This popular eatery is known for its deliciously fresh and tasty dishes, including the must-try shallot pancakes. The menu is extensive and affordable, with cheap corkage and large helpings for every dish ordered. T-Chow is one of the most popular places to dine in Chinatown.
Chinatown is also home to a number of Asian health providers and studios for a variety of cultural dance and performance groups. There are also a number of retail shops that sell everything from high-end jewellery to handmade souvenirs and crafts.
Getting to Chinatown is easy with Moovit, the all-in-one transit app. Over 1.5 million users, including users from Adelaide, trust Moovit for their daily commutes and long-distance trips. It offers real-time arrival updates, route planning, ride costs and public transit times for buses, trains and light rail. Moovit is available for both Android and iOS devices.
Sit Lo
Known for its quick order-eat-and-go service and scrumptious dishes, Sit Lo is a go-to for lunches on the run. Originally opened on Bank Street, the restaurant has now expanded to include a third city location, a stylish spot in Waymouth Street with big windows, blue tables out front for street-side people watching, and many of its signature dishes.
Its upscale decor and colorful murals of Saigon evoke the vibrant and bustling vibe of this part of Asia. Guests are seated in booths or at tables. Ordering is done from a menu, and the food and soups are served as soon as you’re finished ordering. The staff is friendly and efficient, so it’s no wonder that locals love this place.
With a nod to its Vietnamese heritage, the menu here features dishes that are authentic to the region. There are also a few dishes inspired by other Southeast Asian cultures that make up Adelaide’s diverse population. You can expect to find everything from steaming bowls of pho to banh mi, which are traditional sandwiches with pork, ham, sauteed shiitake mushroom, and cilantro inside a crisp bread roll.
Another must-try restaurant in the Chinatown district is Parwana Kitchen. The menu here is filled with succulent dishes such as dough based Mantu steamed dumplings and Ashak fried dumplings with lamb mince, garlic, and yoghurt at just $22 a plate, as well as their signature Banjaan Borani which is eggplant simmered in fresh tomato sauce with garlic and topped with mint, yoghurt, and mince at only $18. This restaurant is one step away from spiritual enlightenment, but the flavors are so good you won’t care.
Adelaide’s Chinatown is full of restaurants and cafes that offer quality dining without the hefty price tag. From Vietnamese to Ethiopian, this colourful hub is home to a variety of restaurants and cuisines.
Located inside the Laguna Crossroads shopping mall, Sit Lo is easy to find. It’s located near the DSW shoe store and Pinkberry yogurt shop. The parking lot is ample and handicapped parking spots are available. Upon entering, you’ll be welcomed by a cozy atmosphere with wooden furniture, colorful murals, and a display of leaf and straw decor.