Market City in Haymarket has announced the opening of 25 Spices - a bold new dining destination dedicated to the punchy, spice-laden flavours of Hunan cuisine.
25 Spices, owned by Chef and founder Vincent Wei, represents a deeply personal mission: to bring one of China’s most vibrant and underrepresented cuisines to Australian diners.
Hunan food, also known as Xiang cuisine, is one of China’s eight great regional cuisines - celebrated for its intense heat, smokiness and sourness.
After moving to Australia from China and finding no Hunan food nearby, Vincent launched a small takeaway in 2016 focused on marinated meats. That humble start led to Pappa’s Stew in Newtown, which quickly became one of Sydney’s go-to spots for fiery, authentic Hunan cuisine.
Now, 25 Spices at Market City marks the brand’s most ambitious chapter - an elevated expression of Hunan cooking with a modern Sydney edge. 25 Spices menu embodies the key elements of heat, smoke and sour, with highlights including Hunan-style chili with eggplant and century egg; beef with pickled green chilli; and the Winter special hot pot with slow-cooked lamb.
For those seeking dishes with a milder spice profile, there’s also braised beef noodles with crunchy peanuts; wood-smoked pork belly with garlic sprouts; and a tomato beef brisket pot.
Most meals are accompanied by an aromatic tea such as bi luo chun - a delicate and naturally sweet green tea from the Hunan mountains - to balance the intensity of flavour and spice.
"Hunan food isn’t about numbing spice or sweetness - it’s about deep heat, smoke, and soul,” Vincent says. "This restaurant is about more than food. It’s a space for anyone curious about a cuisine that’s still underrepresented in Australia.
"This is the restaurant I've dreamed of creating for many years. It represents my childhood and what I believe to be one of the most delicious Chinese cuisines.”
The interior of 25 Spices, designed by Lily Zhang from Latistudio, is a thoughtful fusion of cultural storytelling and contemporary style. A red and blue palette sets the tone - red evoking the bold energy of Hunan and blue offering a nod to Australia’s calm coast.
Rich walnut wood is used throughout the space, bringing warmth and grounding the interior in tradition - a nod to Chinese culture which sees wood represent stability and connection to nature. The result is a dining experience that feels both welcoming and expressive.
"We’re thrilled to welcome 25 Spices Hunan to Market City,” says Ray Khoury, centre manager at Market City. "The restaurant offers a unique and exciting take on one of China’s most vibrant regional cuisines and we’re confident it will quickly become a favourite among both Haymarket locals and visitors.”
Market City has cemented its position as one of Sydney’s leading food and market precincts. Home to Paddy’s Markets, the vibrant new Hay St Market and three levels of shopping, dining and entertainment, 25 Spices joins more than 80 restaurants and retailers at Market City.
25 Spices is open 7 days a week, 11.30 am-3 pm and 5 pm-10 pm and is located on the Ground Floor, corner Hay and Quay Streets, Haymarket.
