Chinatown, Burwood, Sydney
Chinese people first came to Australia in small numbers in the early 19th century, with the first officially recorded migrant arriving in 1818 (white settlement in Australia began in 1788). However, Chinese immigration began in significant numbers in the 1840s as contract laborers, followed by a much larger influx during the gold rushes that started in 1851.
When I was a child in the 1960s, Sydney had a Chinatown, most Sydney suburbs had one or two Chinese restaurants, and Chinese people worked market gardens. But overall there was little visibility of Chinese people in Australia.
But Australia has changed over recent decades, with a massive increase in immigration from Asia. Today, about 1.4 million people of Chinese ancestry live in Australia, representing around 5.5% of Australia’s population. About 700,000 people born in China are living in Australia.
The explosion of Australia’s Chinese population has led to a proliferation of Chinatowns. The official Chinatown in Haymarket remains, but it is not thrilling. On my side of Sydney, there is a Chinatown in Hurstville – but it is a little shabby. I am a big fan of the Chinatown in Chatswood, on the north side of Sydney. There are other Chinatowns in Burwood, Ashfield and Parramatta.
As I try to discover the multiculturalism of Sydney, I recently visited Chinatown in Burwood. Burwood Chinatown seems to have taken over a big shopping mall. It is home to over 50 hawker-style eateries, it offers a mouth-watering mix of nostalgic home-style dishes and the latest food trends from across Asia. From charcoal-grilled skewers and hand-pulled noodles with slow-cooked beef to hotpot trains and fluffy artisan soufflés, there is something to satisfy every craving.
While Chinese cuisine is a highlight, the experience doesn’t stop there. Visitors can also discover bold and flavourful dishes from Thailand, Malaysia, Korea, Japan, and beyond—making it a truly Asian culinary adventure.
But Burwood Chinatown is more than just a place to eat. It’s a cultural hub where people come together to celebrate food, heritage, and community.
My visit to Burwood Chinatown was most enjoyable, and it has certainly added to my list of “must-go” places in Sydney.