Ho Jiak Haymarket ★ 4.5
Junda Khoo's Malaysian flagship in Haymarket, Sydney. Nasi lemak, char kway teow and curry laksa on the menu; the Strathfield original opened in 2017.
Signature: Nasi lemak, Char kway teow, Curry laksa
Chinatown proper: Cantonese yum cha at scale, late-night Malaysian at Mamak and Chat Thai's flagship room, plus the lantern-strung walks of Dixon and Sussex Streets.
Junda Khoo's Malaysian flagship in Haymarket, Sydney. Nasi lemak, char kway teow and curry laksa on the menu; the Strathfield original opened in 2017.
Signature: Nasi lemak, Char kway teow, Curry laksa
Amy Chanta's flagship Thai room on Campbell Street, Haymarket, Sydney. Boat noodles, Bangkok-style street snacks and the Thai dessert counter at the front.
Signature: Boat noodles, Pad see ew, Mango sticky rice
Late-night Malaysian on Goulburn Street, Haymarket, Sydney. Roti canai, satay and char kway teow; open daily 11:30am-2am Friday and Saturday.
Signature: Roti canai, Nasi lemak, Satay chicken
Order: Roti canai with curry trio, satay chicken sticks.
Tip: No bookings; the queue outside is part of the ritual.
Cantonese-Vietnamese pho counter on George Street, Haymarket, Sydney. Deep, clear broth and the city's most consistent pho dac biet under A$20.
Signature: Pho dac biet, Pho ga, Vietnamese iced coffee
Order: Pho dac biet (special beef) with extra herbs and chilli.
Tip: Open from 8am for breakfast pho; queues form Sunday lunch.
Malaysian hawker-style nasi lemak from Ho Jiak in Haymarket, Sydney. Pandan rice, sambal ikan bilis, fried chicken and a soft-boiled egg on top.
Try: Nasi lemak
Thai sticky-rice and dessert counter at Chat Thai's Haymarket flagship, Sydney. Mango sticky rice, coconut sago, pandan-leaf cakes; daily 10am-10pm.
Try: Mango sticky rice
Heritage retail market on Hay Street, Haymarket, Sydney. Asian produce, fresh seafood, fruit and veg under cover, in a tin-roofed 1834 building.
Chinatown street food walking tour from Local Sauce Tours. Tastings across Haymarket, Sydney with a local guide; small groups, walk-in friendly weeknights.
Sydney's two-week Lunar New Year food and culture festival across Haymarket Chinatown and the CBD. Banquets, dragon dance, lantern walks and dumpling stalls.
Late-night roti canai counter on Goulburn Street, Haymarket, Sydney. Roti with three curries comes in under A$11; the city's most-rewarded budget dinner.
Try: Roti canai with three curries
Vietnamese pho counter on George Street, Haymarket, Sydney. The dac biet special with rare beef, brisket and tendons under A$18. Daily 9am-10pm.
Try: Pho dac biet
Malaysian nasi lemak from Ho Jiak in Haymarket, Sydney for A$22. Pandan rice, sambal, ikan bilis, fried chicken and a hard-boiled egg on each plate.
Try: Nasi lemak with fried chicken
Japanese-Scandinavian brunch and roastery on Steam Mill Lane, Haymarket, Sydney. Soufflé pancakes, udon with bacon dashi, single-origin pour-overs.
Order: Japanese souffle pancake with pistachio cream and elderflower rhubarb.
Late-night roti canai counter on Goulburn Street, Haymarket, Sydney. Open daily till 2am Friday and Saturday, 1am other nights; cash and card.
Try: Roti canai with curry
Late-night Malaysian on Hay Street, Haymarket, Sydney. Char kway teow, nasi lemak and curry laksa till 1am Friday and Saturday, 11pm earlier nights.
Try: Char kway teow