Updated March 2026 | 6 places tested | Yuki Tanaka reporting
South Yarra gets labelled as the suburb where Chapel Street goes posh. And honestly? That reputation isn’t wrong. But tucked between the boutiques and the overpriced cocktail bars, there’s an Asian food scene that holds its own against anything you’ll find in Prahran or neighbouring Richmond. You just have to know where to look.
We spent three weeks eating our way along Chapel Street, Toorak Road, and the side streets in between. Six spots made the cut.
1. Yugen Dining — The Underground Japanese Worth Every Dollar
Address: 177 Toorak Road, South Yarra Cuisine: Japanese with Asian accents Price range: $40-$80 per person a la carte; degustation from $130
Take the glass lift downstairs and you’ll understand why Yugen keeps landing on best-of lists across Melbourne. The space is cavernous — rough stone walls, high ceilings, moody lighting. Chef Alex Yu runs a menu built around charcoal-cooked Wagyu, sashimi that tastes like it was cut five minutes ago, and a few Chinese and Malaysian detours that shouldn’t work but absolutely do. The charred kingfish with yuzu kosho is the dish we keep telling people about.
The verdict: Special-occasion dining done without the stuffiness. Reservations essential on weekends — they book out a week ahead.
2. Oriental Teahouse — Chapel Street’s Dim Sum Institution
Address: 455 Chapel Street, South Yarra Cuisine: Chinese (Cantonese-leaning, yum cha, dumplings) Price range: $15-$35 per person
Oriental Teahouse has been on Chapel Street long enough to have seen the street change three times. Pork and prawn dumplings with translucent wrappers, san choy bao generous with lettuce cups, and weekend yum cha trolleys with turnip cakes and sticky rice parcels. Two people eating well walk out spending $50-70 total including tea. Genuinely reasonable for Chapel Street.
The verdict: Reliable, affordable, and exactly what you want for proper Chinese food. Works for lazy Sunday yum cha or a quick weeknight dumpling fix.
3. Miss Chu — Vietnamese Street Food Done Right
Address: 67A Claremont Street, South Yarra Cuisine: Vietnamese street food Price range: $14-$24 per person
Rice paper rolls in combinations you won’t find at your local Vietnamese joint — pulled pork with pickled daikon, prawn with avocado and mango. The pho has a clear, aromatic broth with proper rice noodles. Vegetarian and vegan options are legitimate here, not sad substitutes — the veggie bao and mushroom pho are both standouts.
The verdict: The best quick Asian lunch in South Yarra for under $20.
4. Mr.Tam — Asian Fusion With Fine Dining Presentation
Address: 306 Toorak Road, South Yarra Cuisine: Asian fusion (pan-Asian) Price range: $25-$55 per person
Sleek fitout on Toorak Road with moody lighting and a cocktail bar. Tom yum prawns with a punchy sour-spicy-sweet broth. Duck bao with crispy skin and hoisin glaze. The wagyu tataki was under-seasoned on our visit. Service is polished and attentive.
The verdict: Works best as a date night or group dinner. Well-executed fusion at mid-range pricing.
5. Mopho Canteen — The Pho Shop That Punches Above Its Weight
Address: 362 Chapel Street, South Yarra Cuisine: Vietnamese (pho, banh mi, rice plates) Price range: $13-$22 per person
Small. Like, uncomfortably small with more than three mates. But the beef pho — slow-simmered, deeply beefy, with the right level of star anise and cinnamon — is the reason people queue on cold Melbourne evenings. The banh mi rolls are tight and crispy, and the grilled lemongrass pork over broken rice is a lunchtime sleeper hit.
The verdict: If you want pho in South Yarra and you’re not willing to trek to Richmond’s Victoria Street, Mopho is the answer.
6. Master Roll Vietnam — Chapel Street’s Best Banh Mi Under $15
Address: 284 Chapel Street, South Yarra Cuisine: Vietnamese (banh mi, pho, quick bites) Price range: $10-$18 per person
Takeaway-focused. Crusty baguette, generous fillings, chilli sauce with proper heat. The lemongrass chicken banh mi ($12) is the pick. No table service, no bookings, no fuss.
The verdict: Best-value Asian meal on this list. Fourteen bucks gets you a banh mi and a drink with change to spare.
Quick Reference
| Restaurant | Cuisine | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yugen Dining | Japanese | $$$ | Date night, special occasions |
| Oriental Teahouse | Chinese/Cantonese | $ | Dim sum, yum cha, family lunch |
| Miss Chu | Vietnamese | $ | Quick lunch, vegetarian options |
| Mr.Tam | Asian fusion | $$ | Group dinner, date night |
| Mopho Canteen | Vietnamese | $ | Pho, cold-weather comfort food |
| Master Roll Vietnam | Vietnamese | $ | Banh mi, grab-and-go |
What We Skipped and Why
- Rock Sugar (Chapel Street, Thai) — portions have shrunk while prices crept up. At $28+ for a stir-fry with minimal rice, it doesn’t represent good value in 2026.
- Hawker Hall (Chapel Street, Prahran) — technically in Prahran, not South Yarra. We’ll cover it in our Prahran food round-up.
- Kekou (Chapel Street, Asian fusion) — interesting concept, inconsistent execution across two visits.
The South Yarra Asian Food Scene: What’s Changing
Two trends stand out. First, the casual Vietnamese spots are thriving while mid-range fusion places struggle with pricing pressure. Mopho and Master Roll are packed because they deliver flavour at a price that makes sense. Second, Japanese is having a moment — Yugen’s success has inspired more Japanese-influenced menus across the suburb.
FAQ
What’s the best cheap Asian food in South Yarra? Master Roll Vietnam at 284 Chapel Street — banh mi from $12. Mopho Canteen for pho under $20.
Is there good Japanese food in South Yarra? Yugen Dining on Toorak Road is the standout — underground space, charcoal-cooked Wagyu, excellent cocktails. Budget $130-160 per person with drinks.
Where can I get dumplings in South Yarra? Oriental Teahouse at 455 Chapel Street. Weekend yum cha is the best experience. Two people can eat well for $50-70 total.
More South Yarra: Best Restaurants | Cheap Eats | Late Night Food