From hidden laneways to coastal pockets, these five venues show just how diverse Australia’s Asian dining scene can be. In Melbourne, Akaiito channels Tokyo alleyway charm with charcoal-kissed bites and precision plating. Up on the Gold Coast, Eddy + Wolff brings a fresh, contemporary buzz to Robina.
Stafford’s Oh Boy, Bok Choy! turns street-food cravings into a neon-lit celebration, while Fu Manchu Oriental on Chevron Island serves late-night glamour with comforting classics. In Broome, Kichi Kichi adds a breezy Japanese note, perfect for tropical evenings. Expect bold flavours, inviting rooms and good reasons to book a table wherever you are.
Tucked along a Melbourne CBD laneway, Akaiito feels like stepping into a Tokyo backstreet hideaway. Warm timber, low lighting and the soft clink of ceramics set an intimate calm. The kitchen breathes out charcoal, soy and yuzu, as Chefs move with quiet precision.
Plates arrive like edible postcards: glossy skewers, delicate sashimi and market vegetables lightly blistered and bright with umami. A curated sake selection and playful highballs encourage lingering. Whether you’re at the counter or in a booth, the night hums softly.
Eddy + Wolff in Robina hums with contemporary Asian flair, pairing Gold Coast ease with city-smart style. Blond wood, clean lines and a soft lantern glow shape a room that feels upbeat yet intimate. Aromas of ginger, lemongrass and charcoal drift from the kitchen, where woks flash and grills sizzle.
Dishes arrive for sharing: dumplings slick with chilli oil, miso-glazed skewers, fragrant noodle bowls, crisp fried bites and seafood brightened with lime and herbs. Drinks stay playful, from tea-infused coolers to yuzu highballs over clear cold ice. As afternoon slides into night, conversation swells and the space turns gently lively.
Oh Boy, Bok Choy! in Stafford is a bright, swaggering ode to Asian street food. Neon pops against raw brick and polished concrete, while upbeat playlists keep the room fizzing. From the pass comes a rush of garlic, five-spice and toasted sesame. Bowls land steaming with springy noodles, sticky barbeque meat and crunchy pickles; bao are pillowy and overstuffed; wok-tossed greens crackle with chilli and lime.
Everything is built for sharing, splashing and grinning between bites. Step in for a quick dumpling fix or settle into the night’s easy buzz. Friendly staff make it feel like a local party tonight.
Fu Manchu Oriental on Chevron Island is a candlelit den of old-school glamour and modern Asian comfort. Velvet shadows, lacquered reds and low booths create a late-night hush, while lantern light flickers over busy chopsticks. The air carries sweet hoisin, sizzling garlic and the perfume of star anise.
Dishes arrive in waves: crisp-skinned duck, glossy stir-fries, delicate dumplings and noodles that curl with heat and spice. Drinks lean tropical and mischievous, inviting long, laughing toasts. Service is brisk but warm, guiding you through familiar favourites and surprising specials with ease. Step outside to the water and the evening feels complete.
Kichi Kichi in Broome brings a breezy Japanese glow to the tropics. Set close to the ocean air, the space is light and uncluttered, with blond timber, woven textures and a calm, coastal palette. You hear the soft hiss of the grill and the rhythmic slice of knives as Chefs work behind the counter.
Plates feel fresh and sunlit: sashimi that tastes of the tide, crisp tempura, smoky yakitori and bowls of ramen rich with slow-built depth. Cold drinks cut the heat and the mood stays easy, friendly, long after sunset in balmy Broome, with sand between your toes nearby.
