Asia comes to your doorstep

Australia’s largest Chinatown is the focus of a month-long celebration of food and culture, being held throughout October.

The Asia On Your Doorstep campaign involves dozens of restaurants in Sydney’s Chinatown and features various culinary events including cooking classes, guided food tours and themed dinners.

Restaurants serving Indonesian, Malaysian, Thai, Japanese, Korean – and of course, Chinese – food are participating in the event, which Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said was a great way to explore one of Sydney’s most significant neighbourhoods.
“Chinatown is such an important part of Sydney, both culturally and economically – so we’re delighted to show our support for its restaurants through our new Asia On Your Doorstep promotion,” said Ms Moore.

“This is a fantastic way for Sydneysiders to discover the cultures, traditions and flavours of Asia, and a great opportunity to show your support for Sydney’s local businesses.”

Jessie Chau, owner of two restaurants – Mizuya Sydney in George Street, and Umi Sushi &Udon at Darling Park – said she was participating to help celebrate Australia’s increasing links with Asia.

“We’re very fortunate to live in such a multicultural country with such great access to other cultures,” she said.

“We’ve especially got great links with Asia, and here in Sydney I believe we have more on offer in terms of Asian food than other Australian cities and other Western cities in Europe and North America.”

Ms Chau said Mizuya – which won Best Japanese Restaurant in this year’s Alternative Media Group‘Best of Sydney’ Awards – would host a Taste of Tokyo Dinner nextWednesday, October 24 as part oftheAsia On Your Doorstep initiative.

Diners at Mizuya and all 50-plus participating Chinatown restaurants will go into a dra w to win a trip to Hong Kong including three nights at the prestigious Langham Hotel, a Harbour Lights Night Tour, Seafood Dinner Cruise and $1,000 spending money.

A full list of participating restaurants and their associated events can be found at www.asiaonyourdoorstep.com