In 2024, Asian fusion cuisine is making waves in Australia for its bold flavors, and if there is any city that offers the best Asian fusion in Australia, it is Melbourne.   

Melbourne is known to be the food capital of Australia and it’s no wonder why some of the best Asian fusion restaurants are in the city.

In this blog, we are going to reveal the 10 best Asian fusion restaurants in Melbourne that serve the most amazing Asian fusion cuisine.

So, without further ado, let’s begin:  

What is Asian Fusion Cuisine?

Asian Fusion is a cuisine that blends flavors, ingredients, and cooking techniques from different Asian food cultures. It’s like a creative mix-and-match of Asian food traditions, often with a modern twist.

Asian fusion cuisine combines tastes from Asian countries like China, Japan, Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam, among others. It’s like creating a food fusion by amalgamating Chinese stir-fry methods with Japanese seasonings or pairing Vietnamese spring rolls with a Korean-inspired dipping sauce.

Asian Fusion also sometimes incorporates western influences, resulting in unique food dishes that aren’t traditionally found in any single Asian country.

Best Asian Fusion Restaurants in Melbourne

1- YOI Indonesian Fusion

Google Rating: 4.5

YOI is probably the best Asian fusion restaurant in Melbourne CBD. It’s an Indonesian fusion restaurant in the heart of Melbourne and its name means “YES!” in Indonesian.

The restaurant puts a new spin on family recipes from Indonesia. They use special ingredients brought in from Indonesia and make their own spices. This gives their food a unique taste that’s both familiar and exciting.

YOI’s menu has lots of incredible food options. One dish in particular that you shouldn’t miss is the Mie Goreng salted egg chicken. Moreover, you can order squid ink salted egg noodles, Balinese rice, chilli crab noodles, and Nasi Goreng Kampung.

If you are in the mood for small bites, you can order the salted egg fries, tempe mendoan, or creamy rissoles.

Don’t forget dessert! YOI has a good selection of sweet treats and drinks to end your meal on a high note.

2- Longrain Melbourne

Google Rating: 4.5

If you are craving Thai food and looking for the best Thai restaurant in Melbourne then Longrain is one restaurant that you must visit. It’s a modern Thai restaurant run by Scott Pickett and the unique thing is that it’s located in a big, old horse stable from the 1900s, which gives it a cool, unique look.

The restaurant believes in relaxed, shared eating. Their menu is made up of dishes meant for sharing. You sit at big tables with other people, like a banquet. This makes for a fun, social meal.

Longrain is known for its fresh, flavorful dishes. They also have lots of Thai-inspired cocktails to go with the food.

On Fridays, they have a special lunch deal which is indeed one of the best Asian fusion brunches in Melbourne. For $60, you get to try some of their best dishes and a drink. It’s a great way to start the weekend with friends or coworkers.

Some must-try dishes at Longrain are the coconut poached chicken and poached prawn. The BBQ lamb ribs and caramelized pork are also very popular. For something spicy, try the jungle curry. If you are a vegetarian, go for their salt and pepper silken tofu.

For dessert, you can choose from coconut pudding, coconut tapioca, or burnt duck egg custard. Any of these sweet treats will be the perfect end to your meal.

3- RuYi Modern Chinese

Google Rating: 4.4

RuYi Modern Chinese offers a fresh take on Chinese dining in Melbourne. Hidden in a typical city laneway, RuYi blends relaxed fine dining with elegant style. The space is elegant and inviting, perfect for all kinds of gatherings.

What sets RuYi apart is its focus on delicate flavors and customer service. They use high-quality Australian ingredients to create modern versions of classic Chinese dishes. The menu is designed for sharing, with tasty and beautifully presented plates.

Some must-try dishes include Bao Bao, Kong Bao chicken, and caramelized pork ribs. For something different, try the numbing beef or duck slow-cooked in master stock. Vegetarians can order fried tofu with Szechuan mayo and steamed veggie dumplings.

To round out the meal, RuYi offers special cocktails and a carefully chosen wine list. With its mix of great food, drinks, and atmosphere, RuYi aims to give diners a memorable experience that’s a feast for all the senses.

4- Sunda

Google Rating: 4.6

Sunda is a modern southeast Asian restaurant that is known to offer the best Asian fusion in Melbourne. Led by the veteran chef Khanh Nguyen, this restaurant will take you on a culinary journey through Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam.

What makes Sunda stand out is its creative approach to Asian fusion cuisine. The menu is always changing, with dishes that combine traditional ingredients in new and surprising ways. For example, you might find arrow squid served with tomato and pepper leaf, or dry-aged pork with honey and wattleseed.

The restaurant offers a four-course menu that lets you experience a range of flavors. While the restaurant might seem pricey at first, the quality and uniqueness of the food make it worthwhile. Dishes like chickpea cake and Berkshire pork with congee will make you want more.

Sunda’s modern-Asian cuisine pushes boundaries and introduces diners to exciting flavor combinations. It’s a great choice for food lovers looking to try something new and different in Melbourne’s vibrant food scene.

Also Read: Best Ramen in Melbourne

5- Kekou

Google Rating: 4.8

Kekou is a lovely restaurant in Richmond that not only brings bold Asian flavors to life but also has an aesthetically pleasing ambiance. Chef Oak Kunnalok leads the kitchen, creating pan Asian dishes by enhancing traditional tastes with some twists.

Set in an old building on Bridge Road, Kekou offers a fresh take on Asian fusion. The food here is all about balance – sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavors dance together in each dish. But there’s more to it than that. Chef Oak adds unexpected touches that make the meals extra special.

If you’re dining alone, don’t miss the chef’s special lobster betel leaf or the Etty Bay barramundi. Pork lovers should try the twice-cooked pork belly, while curry fans will enjoy the kari ayam chicken curry.

The drinks menu, crafted by Young Wook Chang, perfectly complements the food. With great service and beautifully presented dishes, Kekou offers a one-of-a-kind Asian fusion dining experience in Melbourne.

6- Supernormal

Google Rating: 4.5

Supernormal, located on Flinders Lane, is one of the top Asian fusion restaurants in Melbourne. Open since 2014, Supernormal is one of the most visited restaurants in Melbourne. While it has a strong Japanese influence, the menu draws inspiration from all over Asia, including Shanghai, Seoul, and Hong Kong.

At Supernormal, you’ll find incredible dishes like pork buns and Szechuan eggplant. But what makes it stand out are the creative spins on classic recipes. The New England lobster roll and peanut butter parfait are must-try items if you are looking to try something new.

Other standout dishes include the prawn and chicken dumplings, slow-cooked lamb shoulder, and duck bao with twice-cooked duck leg. If you are a seafood lover, don’t forget to order the Sydney rock oysters. Their specialty in creating magic by mixing traditional Asian flavors with modern cooking techniques keeps diners coming back for more.

7- Firebird

Google Rating: 4.5

Firebird brings a fiery twist to Vietnamese cuisine in Windsor. Part of the Commune Group, this restaurant adds excitement to the local food scene with its bold approach to Asian flavors. The focus here is on wood-fired and charcoal-grilled dishes that pack a punch.

The restaurant’s design is inspired by the 1970s, creating a fun and lively atmosphere. At the heart of Firebird is its open kitchen with a custom-built chargrill and wood fire oven. This setup allows diners to watch as their food is cooked over flames, adding to the experience.

The menu is full of tasty options. Grilled oysters and squid are great starters. For main courses, try the kingfish sashimi, pork ribs, or prawn broken rice. You must also try the chargrilled steak and fire-roasted duck orange. To match the food, Firebird offers smoky spirits and cocktails with burnt garnishes, perfectly complementing the flame-cooked dishes.

Also Read: Best Pubs in Melbourne

8- Future Future

Google Rating: 4.6

Future Future is a unique Japanese-inspired restaurant on Richmond’s Swan Street. It’s not your typical Japanese food spot, but rather a blend of Japanese culture with an Australian twist. The place has a cool rooftop deck, perfect for enjoying a meal or drink outside.

The menu at Future Future is creative and fresh. They take Japanese food and give them a new spin. You’ll find dishes that are familiar yet different. The best part? The prices are pretty affordable, so you won’t have to think before visiting the place.

If you’re up for a unique dining experience, try the chef’s menu. It includes nine dishes, giving you a great taste of what Future Future offers. Other must-try items on the menu are the octopus with soy garlic butter, snapper tataki, and kingfish wings. Vegetarians aren’t left out either – the pumpkin agedashi tofu is a great option.

9- New Quarter

Google Rating: 4.4

At number 9, on our Melbourne’s best Asian fusion restaurants list, we have New Quarter which offers amazing food, inspired by dishes from Vietnam. In recent times, New Quarter has become one of Melbourne’s hottest new food spots, known for its fresh and aromatic dishes.

The kitchen at New Quarter is always buzzing with new food ideas. They take Vietnamese flavors and mix them up in exciting ways. It’s part of the same family as Hanoi Hannah and Tokyo Tina, so you know it’s got some serious food cred.

One dish that really stands out is their beef tartare. It’s not your usual tartare – they add beef pho jelly and anchovy tapioca crisps for a unique taste. Another item on the menu that you must order is the grilled short rib with burnt chilli and charred betel leaf.

10- Chin Chin

Google Rating: 4.2

Last but not least, we have Chin Chin which is a Southeast Asian restaurant located in Melbourne CBD at 125 Flinders Lane. It’s been around since 2011, but people still can’t get enough of it. The restaurant serves up popular Southeast Asian food with an Aussie touch.

One cool thing about Chin Chin is its basement bar called GoGo Bar. It’s a great spot to grab a drink before or after your meal. The cocktails at Chin Chin are special too, using lots of Southeast Asian flavors.

When it comes to food, Chin Chin has some real standout dishes. You do need to try the kingfish sashimi and the caramelized sticky pork. Their crispy barramundi is also worth a try. If you are a curry lover, order the massaman and butter chicken curries. If you want more dishes on your table, order the soft-shell crab, braised wagyu beef, and beef Martabak spring rolls.