Jian Biang Biang

Want spicy hand-pulled noodles, eaten al fresco on Upper Dixon Street? You've come to the right place. Go the pork mince with extra garlic. Shop 39, 1 Dixon Street, Haymarket

Golden Century

Ah, the OG GC. A perennial favourite for late-night bowls of congee and Peking duck among generations of Cantonese-loving Sydneysiders. 393-399 Sussex Street, Sydney

Emperor Cream Puff

They're cheap, they're sweet and they're addictive to boot. These tiny custard-filled pastry puffs, which can be ordered individually or by the bag, explode in your mouth on impact. You have been warned. 96-100 Hay Street, Haymarket

Kiroran Silk Road Uyghur Restaurant

Order the cumin lamb skewers and boiled dumplings to get a taste of that incredible Turkish-Chinese cuisine only found in a few pockets of Sydney. Shop 3, 6 Dixon Street, Sydney NSW

Arisun

Crunchy Korean fried chicken and big frosty beers? 'Nuff said. Shop 35, 1 Dixon Street, Haymarket

Caysorn

A kanom jeen bar for DIY fermented rice noodles is just one of the highlights at this Northern Thai hidden gem. Shop 106, level 1, Prince Centre Building, 8 Quay Street, Haymarket

Menya

The black garlic ramen is still the pony to bet on at this longstanding Chinatown ramen bar. Shop 8TG, 8 Quay Street, Haymarket

Chinese Noodle House

One of the best-known and best-value hand-pulled noodle restaurants in the 'hood. Order the shredded chicken spring pancake if you're just ducking in for lunch. Shop QG14, 8 Quay Street, Haymarket

Do Dee Paidang

Tom yum is the name of the game here, in varying degrees of spiciness from "that's bearable" to "whyyyyyyyyyyy?". Shop 9, 37 Ultimo Road, Haymarket

Ho Jiak

The Malaysian restaurant we love to love – not just for the nasi lemak and beef rendang but also for chef Junda Khoo, who kept all his staff employed through 2020. 92 Hay Street, Haymarket