Whether you’re down for dumplings, or something more substantial, if Asian fare is your thing, we’ve got you covered. From groovy neighbourhood joints to moody haunts dotted around the city, here’s our Top Ten Guide to Perth’s best Asian fusion restaurants.
Emily Taylor — Fremantle
When it comes to Fremantle dining, the vibrant, courtyard bar and restaurant, Emily Taylor should be at the top of your foodie bucket list. The Asian fusion cult favourite was named after a ship that sailed from England to Fremantle, stopping through Asia to pick up tea, spices, and likely, opium, in the 1800s. Perched right next door to the Fremantle Markets, you can expect everything from roast duck and gin cocktails to spiced bites and aromatic fish with fresh herbs.
MODU Bar & Kitchen — Perth
The velvet-clad booths inside this emerald-hued, Shanghai-inspired restaurant are the perfect place to cosy up for an Asian fusion feast. You may as well sling back a couple of smoking BaiJiu kung fu tea cocktails while you’re at it. MODU has a reputation for flavour-packed oriental dishes like Peking duck nori tacos, Wagyu open gyozas, and loaded prawn toast. The charred eggplant dip is also a must, if we do say so. Our advice: come hungry and don’t leave without trying the basil and honey sorbet with lychee and popping candy. It sounds strange, but trust us, it’s surprisingly delicious.
Long Chim — Perth
Inspired by the markets and street food of Thailand, Long Chim brings the flavours of modern Bangkok to Perth’s historic State Buildings. Translating to “come and taste” in Thai, you can expect curries, stir-fries, noodles, and all things snacks, from recipes researched and fine-tuned by Thai food authority, Chef David Thompson. Think chicken satay, spicy pork with rice cakes, drunken noodles, beef laksa, and grilled barramundi. This is where foodie adventures are made.
Tonic + Ginger — Fremantle
The south-east Asian fusion menu at The Old Synagogue’s Tonic + Ginger is designed to be shared. Pick a perch on either of the two levels under the stunning pendant-lit ceiling while the culinary artisans prepare to set your soul alight with a lavish, flavour-filled feast. We’re talking sticky beef brisket rendang curry, scallop carpaccio, firecracker cauliflower with bang bang sauce, and chicken and water chestnut san choy boy, and that’s only the beginning.
Lotus — Highgate
Set over three levels, Lotus is a modern south-east Asian restaurant headed by Chef Sundoo Kim. Part of The Beaufort complex, Lotus’ dishes take culinary inspiration from Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan, China, Vietnam, and India. It’s one of those venues where you want to eat everything all over again. Expect the likes of barbeque pork belly bao, steamed prawn dumplings, Malay fried popcorn chicken, Hiramasa kingfish sashimi, and braised beef rib.
Sweetwater Rooftop Bar — East Fremantle
What’s not to love about dumplings, cocktails, and rooftop views in East Fremantle? Sweetwater Rooftop Bar’s stylish, garden-infused interior is well-worth a gander for anyone eager to devour a delicious line-up of Asian-inspired share plates. The karaage chicken is a winner, as is the Mongolian sticky beef, gado gado steamed dumplings, and wok-tossed dan dan noodles. And wash it all down with a handful of devilishly good alcoholic quenchers. Say less!
Lions and Tigers — Fremantle
If big flavour is what you live for, kick on to Lions and Tigers to banish those irritating hunger pangs. Housed in a heritage-listed, two-story Federation warehouse in Fremantle’s West End, the name stems from a passion for animals, film, and the Wizard of Oz; whereas, the incredible regional diversity and adaptability of South Asian flavours inspire the restaurant and bar menu. We’re talking kingfish ceviche with coconut and fermented tomato, Wagyu beef skewers with chana hummus, lamb rendang samosas, and Goan curry. Leave space for dessert because you simply cannot say no to a coconut and lemongrass parfait, dark chocolate delice, or burnt paneer cheesecake.
Lygon Lane — Claremont
Celebrating traditional Italian cuisine with a contemporary Asian twist, Lygon Lane is Perth’s first Italian Asian-fusion restaurant. Food-wise, it’s an exploration of the unexpected, with a skilful implementation of flavour and texture. We’re talking handmade pasta infused with ginger and coriander, crispy duck dumplings, and chicken kung pao arancini. All topped off with white chocolate and coconut panna cotta, and yuzu honey creme brulee. While you’re at it, enjoy a tipple from the curated cocktail menu or sieve through the wine list featuring more than 150 labels.
Kitsch Bar — Leederville
Perched on Leederville’s Oxford Street, Kitsch Bar boasts a sweet, crispy, salty, and sour mix of Asian street food. The share-style menu features snacks, hawker bites, and street plates. Think fish tacos, Korean fried sweet and salty chicken wings, traditional pad Thai, seared barramundi, crispy tofu with Singaporean chilli jam, and wok-fried greens. One word: yum.
Miss Mi — Perth
Nestled in Perth’s centre, Miss Mi takes you on a journey that pays homage to the traditional Asian grill. Miss Mi merges the exotic and familiar with local produce and time-honoured techniques, spices, and aromatics. Each dish draws on the rich tapestry woven by generations of Asian-Australians, curated by Filipino-born Australian chef Alex De Leon. In terms of what to order, try the grilled tiger prawns and octopus, pork curry, and fried rice. You can thank us later.
