A world of flavor awaits at the 5 best Asian restaurants in Adelaide

Golden Boy was memorable for me because of its spicy dishes, from the briny salt and pepper squid with tamarind caramel to the crunchy deep-fried soft-shell crab with scud chili.

Founded by the owners of Botanic Bar, this establishment takes pride in its Tuk Tuk menu, named after the Thai rickshaw vehicle, reflecting its commitment to honoring Thai culture.

The menu provides their best offerings for the day and even comes with dessert. I found the price justified for the portions they provide.

I also appreciated the restaurant’s vibrant atmosphere, highlighted by its energetic staff and eye-catching decor.

That said, they can improve their serving times because it’s a bit slow. Also, their queuing times are long, especially during weekends.

Great food, great cocktails and great service

“Great food, great cocktails and great service! Definitely recommend the soft shell crab! We ordered two servings as it was so yummy. We will be back to try more out of the menu..

Mary| Google Review

The dishes are so fresh and delicious

“The feed me menu is great value. The dishes are so fresh and delicious! We have visited a few times, with our last visit being for our anniversary. The atmosphere is inviting and the staff are all very friendly and helpful. Special mention to Riccardo for helping us select the dishes. We cannot fault anything about this restaurant and look forward to visiting again in the future.”

Sonia| Google Review

Mrs Q stands out for its New York-inspired decor and Thai and Vietnamese food. With its high ceiling, sophisticated colors, and well-designed verandah, dining here felt exquisite and chic. 

Some of its standout dishes include the Peking duck pancake with a savory flavor complemented by the crisp freshness of cucumber and the pad kra-pra that blends the bold and aromatic flavors of stir-fried chili, beef, and bamboo shoots.

They also have a good variety of cocktails incorporating local and Asian preferences. This includes the zesty Miss China Doll made with lychee liqueur, grapefruit, and mango tea, and the Aroi Mamak made with falernum, vodka, and lemon.

In terms of downsides, however, the foods are pricey. The freshness of the food is also inconsistent.

The atmosphere was great

“I had the $65 buffet and the staff were exceptional, providing quick and attentive service. The food was brought out promptly, and the drinks were reasonably priced. The atmosphere was great, making for an overall enjoyable experience. I will definitely be back again one day.”

Rob| Google Review

Very unique atmosphere

“Highly recommend this place! You needed a reservation to get a table and didn’t have to wait for longer to get the ordered food. Large Portions and great for sharing. No Kids menu but plenty of entree to kids and add white rice!”

Shashika| Google Review

Akimitsu serves some of the best tempura in Adelaide. What makes the difference is their secret flour recipe that adds an extra savory taste and crunch to the classic Japanese food. 

The restaurant is part of a franchise that has many branches in Asia and Canada. Aside from tempura, their standout options include miso soup with soft-boiled egg in tendon sauce and a wide variety of sakes.

Dining is comfortable here because of the restaurant’s elegant design and peaceful ambiance. Their servers also embody Japanese service by always being attentive and professional.

Compared to other restaurants, though, their seating space is limited. They’ve also received complaints about inconsistent food freshness. 

Food was great

“Food was great. The attentive staff embodies Japanese hospitality, enhancing the dining experience with genuine warmth. The ambiance strikes the perfect balance between sophistication and comfort, making every visit a memorable occasion.”

Charles| Google Review

Friendly and attentive service

“An excellent meal with friendly attentive service from the team at Akimitsu. Great tempura prawns are a must Quality wines at great prices”

Athol| Google Review

Daughter In Law adds a sophisticated feel to Indian food through its vibrant yet posh interior designed with Bollywood-inspired decor. 

Founder Jessi Singh wanted to bring various classic Indian dishes to Adelaide. Some of their must-tries include Balls of Happiness, which are made with flatbread and papdi chaat (Indian nachos and salsa).

They also have excellent vegan/vegetarian options like the crunchy samosa chaat made with tamarind chutney and cumin yogurt and Colonel Tso’s cauliflower soaked in soy sauce, sesame oil, and tomato paste. 

They also offer great drinks with cocktails like the Daughter In Law made with cardamom, lime, and caramelized pineapple and the Rum Guana made with dark rum, guava, and banana. 

That said, some found their servers a bit rude. Also, their dining space is a bit small.

Our favorite Indian restaurant ever!

“Our favorite Indian restaurant ever! Everything is just excellent, starting from friendly welcome at the doors, decor and design giving it authentic Indian vibes and exquisite food experience! Food is just delicious, well seasoned and spicy, just as it should be. It’s a vegan paradise as well with multiple options to choose from. Place is famous for its drinks as well with a variety of choices and a barman performing his magic just in front of you and let’s not forget about the beer freezer where you can pick what you like! True 5 star experience overall, just don’t forget to book as the place gets super crowded for dinners and everyone comes at the same time.”

Rafael| Google Review

Very happy with the price

“We went for my birthday, we ordered lots of food for me and my partner and it was all really delicious. loved the combination of authentic dishes and inauthentic flavors. The mango lassi was beautiful and the music was lovely. very happy with the price considering how large the portions were”

Ella| Google Review

Busan Baby is inspired by Korean nightlife and its food. Just the sight of its neon lights was enough to remind me of my trip to the aforementioned city!

They serve both traditional dishes and Korean street food. Some standouts include the mildly sweet bulgogi beef stew and the delicious Korean fried chicken. 

Their hotpot dishes come with a portable stove, which aside from keeping the food hot, provides an authentic dining experience.

These dishes pair especially well with soju, which provides a refreshing contrast to their spicier offerings.

In terms of downsides, however, they open late. Also, they’ve had cases of mixing up the contents of takeout orders.

The staff are extremely nice

“The staff are extremely nice with always a smile on their faces. I’ve been here multiple times and the food is always spot on. The vibes in the restaurant are so good with the K-pop music and the aesthetic lights. We got the military stew, Original chicken, garlic soy chicken, and the tofu seafood. The chicken was so crispy and even with the sauce it was surprisingly crispy with a satisfying crunch to it. The stews were so warm, especially as it’s winter in Adelaide right now. Definitely recommend having the chicken with the stew together as the crunch mixed with the heartwarming stew is to die for. There’s a deal where you can get a hotpot, chicken, and bingsu which is great as well. After finishing we always end the night with the delicious desserts right next door with either Bingsu, sundaes, or croffles. This place is always a favorite and I will always come back. Keep the great work Busan Baby! 💕”

Isla| Google Review

A variety of vegetarian dishes which are scrumptious

“One might think non vegetarian hot pot is the specialty, so only that’s the best. A variety of vegetarian dishes which are scrumptious and not just stir fried vegetables. Arancini balls, crispy fried eggplant, corn..

Samapti| Google Review