Our local area is becoming quite the mecca for delicious Asian food, with FOUR new restaurants already causing a buzz…
Fat Pomelo, Narrabeen
Don’t be too sad that Barbuto is no longer, because Fat Pomelo is now open and cranking out incredible food. This buzzy Asian diner is from the owners of Paddington’s Chubby Cheeks and Armchair Collective (Mona Vale), Songpol and Lyn Manoonpong. They’ve enlisted ex Mimi’s chef Julian Luczyc-Wyhowski in the kitchen alongside Executive Chef James Sombunpeng (Chubby Cheeks) to create a menu that embraces an ‘east meets west’ concept, with influences from Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and beyond.
Diners can enjoy a mix of exciting new dishes alongside beloved signatures from the popular Chubby Cheeks. For starters, the Fat Pomelo Baos are a must-try, with fillings like crackling pork, soft shell crab, and vegan karaage chicken or kung fu tofu. For something more substantial, dishes like the Crispy Skin Master Stock Bannockburn Chook served with their signature satay sauce, and the Wagyu Beef Cheek Rendang, best enjoyed with roti to sweep up the rich curry. For something refreshing, don’t go past the fresh and zesty Pomelo Salad, made with pork, prawn, pomelo, mint, and soft herbs.
As Songpol explains, “We wanted to create a space that offers not just great food, but an elevated dining experience that’s accessible to friends and family of all ages.”
Fat Pomelo’s drink menu features cocktails such as the Passionfruit Caprioska; made with a vodka base, house kaffir syrup, Aubrey passion fruit liqueur, soda and fresh passionfruit to top it off. Diners can also pair their meal non-alcoholic options or a selection of Asian and local beers, sakes and wines.
Address: Shop 5, 16 Ocean Street, Narrabeen
Open: Monday: Closed Tuesday – Thursday: 5pm-10pm Friday-Sunday: 12pm-3pm, 5pm-10pm
Website: https://www.fatpomelo.com.au/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fat.pomelo/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fatpomelorestaurant
Suki, Mona Vale
Behind grand wooden doors on Barrenjoey Road, where Rosa Mexican once dished up tacos, Suki has transformed Mona Vale’s dining scene with the kind of Asian fusion that makes you forget you’re on the beaches.
Start with fresh oysters with coconut, birds eye chilli, and makrut oil, or fresh kingfish ceviche with green chilli, lime, apple, green mango. The prawn toast here isn’t your local takeaway’s version – it comes dressed up with spicy kewpie mayo that’ll have you reaching for another piece before you’ve finished the first. And the pulled pork san choy bow? They’re the kind that make you close your eyes when you bite into them.
For mains, the duck pancakes and charcoal-cooked short rib are winners, but it’s the Rolled Noodle Pad See Euw that might become your weekly craving – the kind of comfort food that feels like it should be someone’s closely guarded family recipe. The crispy pork belly comes with the kind of crackling that makes that satisfying crunch you can hear three tables away.
As for the drinks, the Mandarin Southside, with its blend of gin, Aperol, mandarin and lime, tastes like summer holidays in a glass. And if you’re in the mood to celebrate, don’t go past the Pear Saki Spritz – a mix of sake, St Germain, pear, and cinnamon, topped with lemon soda that makes you wonder why no one thought of it sooner.
Save room for dessert – particularly the Mango Crème Brûlée custard tart offers the kind of satisfaction that comes from cracking through perfectly caramelised sugar to reach the silky custard beneath.
Whether you’re dropping in for a Wednesday night dinner, a bottomless Saturday lunch that stretches into the afternoon, or a Sunday yum cha session, Suki feels like the restaurant the northern beaches didn’t know it needed – until now.
Address: 18 Barrenjoey Road, Mona Vale
Open: Wed – Sunday
Website: https://www.sukisyd.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sukimodernasian/
Harry Gatos, Freshwater
If you’ve ever craved Chinese comfort food like you ate growing up, head to Harry Gatos to get your fix. Located downstairs in Freshie Village Plaza, the team here are dishing out unpretentious but undeniably excellent grub. Expect OG Mongolian Beef – even served on plates that will remind you of neighbourhood Chinese takeaway shops, Fried Rice that takes you back, and a Mie Goreng you might find on the streets of Seminyak.
Forgive us, we’ve dived straight into mains, but the smaller dishes deserve a mention too. With a range of hot and cold dishes, your must-tries are Saltbush pickled cucumber, Davidson Plum BBQ Pork Buns, 5-Spice Justice Pork Baos, Smoky Miso Wok Veggies and the Szechun MB* Wagyu Beef.
Though this cool and cosy spot is open late for “chopsticks and chats” kids haven’t been forgotten. With a $12 menu with fried rice, mie goreng or dumplings plus $2 add ons (chicken, tofu or egg). It’s a welcome break from nuggets and chips – and don’t forget to leave from for the deep fried sesame ice cream.
Where: Downstairs in Freshwater Village Plaza Shop 8, 1-3 Moore Rd Freshwater
Open: Mon-Thurs: 4pm – late (closed Tues) Fri: 3pm – late Sat: 12pm – late Sun: 12pm – late Walk-ins only. No bookings required.
Website: https://www.harrygatos.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harrygatosbar/
Menya Monaka, Mona Vale
Last but not least! When we brought you the news that Mona Vale fave Cafe Monaka were opening a ramen joint, the story went viral. That’s the level of excitement for both Cafe Monaka’s owners, Bun and Ellie Fukuda and ramen around these parts.
Self-described as a “Ramen-ya noodle house by day, modern Japanese restaurant and sake bar by night.” Menya Monaka has been worth the wait.
Bun has experience in traditional Japanese restaurants as well as Northern Beaches restaurants such as Pilu and as Head Chef at The Boathouse Group cafes and Moby Dick’s function venues. And Ellie is a graduate of a top culinary school in Japan and has had plenty of experience including well renowned 3-Hatted restaurants in Japan.
So what should you eat there? If it’s lunchtime – ramen of course. But if you’re eating in later, there is more choice on offer, and check the menu ahead because you will have trouble deciding. To start the Miso Butter Sourdough, Monaka Noodle Pretzel (kids will love this too), and Nori Shio Chips are all crowd pleasers. And if fresh raw seafood is your thing – you’re in the right place. You will love the Carpaccio (specials updated daily), Sashimi Trio and Tuna Tartare.
Moving onto more substantial dishes, there’s MFC Karaage, Shio-Koji Chicken Confit with ginger shallot sauce, fennel and coriander salad, aged Wagyu Sirloin, and plenty of veggie options like Miso Eggplant (you won’t regret adding mozzarella), Peri Peri Broccoli (a cruciferous vegetable has never tasted so good) and Stir-Fried Garlic Rice.
Address: 1/13 Waratah St, Mona Vale
Open:Mon – Sat Lunch: 11:30 – 3pm Dinner: 5:30 – 10pm (Closed Sunday + Public holidays)
Website: https://www.menyamonaka.com.au/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/menya.monaka/
