Chinatown is lined with Chinese restaurants on Dixon Street, and it is not surprising to stare blank faced at all these eateries reaching an indecision of where to spend a great eating experience. Sure you could pick any one of these restaurants and have a well-to-do, decent, and filling Chinese cuisine experience, but if you want to try something that is both different, unique, and authentic, here are a few places for you.
Steamboating at the Shancheng Hotpot King
Shancheng Hotpot King is down the North side of Dixon St and you can be sure to be met with a queue when you enter the 2nd floor of the Regal Arcade. Referred to more accurately as "Steamboat", Shancheng Hotpot King really does this old tradition best. It consists of placing raw ingredients into a steaming pot of soup. With an option of spicy and non-spicy soup, this place offers the largest range of Chinese staple ingredients for steamboat that I know. From the basic raw beef slice to some of my personal favourites: the rich, creamy quail egg, the perfect elastic chewiness of the fish balls and the flavoursome balance of the dumplings; the freshness of the cuisine really makes this the best place to catch some genuine steamboating. Be sure to try the sesame seed sauce and don't be afraid to try something new. in amongst the chatter of patrons and the dense steam in the air, this is definitely the kind of atmosphere that tells me this is the go to place for some genuine Chinese cuisine. With a price tag of $20 and under per head including drinks, I'm not complaining.
Another great place is found on the corner of Dixon and Goulburn Street.
Meetfresh is a Taiwanese dessert franchise that has got it right for once. Surpassing the masked novelty of 'bubble tea' (with all flavours drowned out by ten pounds of sugar) in the Easyway and ChaTime franchises, Meetfresh refreshingly pulls its weight in serving up real, authentic Taiwanese desserts. The ingredients make me reminiscent of my late night dessert adventures in the streets of Taiwan, with a special mention to the hot grass jelly desserts. An acquired taste, but perfect for cold nights. Complete with Taro balls, sweet tofu, an array of beans and mango infused desserts, this place is a much more accurate depiction of the street food found in the nooks and crannies of Taiwan.
Other places of note are the
Chinatown Night Markets, where people flock namely at the Japanese 'Takoyaki' (fresh melt-in-your-mouth octopus balls) stall at the Factory Street intersection;
Gumshara Ramen, a humble little place in the downstairs 'Eating World' food court boasting arguably the most authentic ramen soup (traditionally based on pork bone) in Sydney; and Mother Chu's Taiwanese Gourmet (on the Hay Street side) for a crash course in cafe food asian style.
