description: “18 March 2026 | Wellness Editor”
Updated 18 March 2026 | Wellness Editor
Best Asian Food in Southbank: From Pho to Ramen
18 March 2026 – Wellness Editor, Nina
Southbank’s riverfront may be famous for its theatres and that 297-metre glass cube, but the real show happens once you duck inside the laneways—
Best Asian Food in Southbank: From Pho to Ramen
18 March 2026 – Wellness Editor, Nina
Southbank’s riverfront may be famous for its theatres and that 297-metre glass cube, but the real show happens once you duck inside the laneways. Here, restorative broths, probiotic kimchi and collagen-rich tonkotsu bubble away within walking distance of the Arts Centre. Translation: you can slurp something genuinely good for body and mind, then be back in your seat before curtain-up. These are the eight Asian kitchens I send wellness-minded locals (and my out-of-town yogis) to when they need flavour without the food fog.
1. Hanoi Mee Kitchen & Bar
Ground level, 3 Freshwater Pl, Southbank 3006
Dish to order: Slow-cooked 12-hour beef pho (large $18)
Insider tip: Ask for the “no-msg, half-noodle” option – you’ll get extra herbs and a gentle 300-calorie shave-off. They’ll also swap rice noodles for zucchini ribbons on days when the kitchen is quiet (usually 3-5 pm).
2. Shujinko Southbank
Shop 2, 35-37 Riverside Quay, Southbank 3006 (open 24 hrs Fri–Sat)
Dish to order: #1 Black tonkotsu ramen $17.90
Insider tip: Skip the heavy pork fat layer by requesting “aji-tama light”: kitchen strains the first ladle of broth and tops with a six-minute egg. Midnight cravings? Their 24-hour schedule means you can re-fuel post-Eureka Skydeck without resorting to greasy chips.
3. Fat Buddha (pan-Asian, gluten-free friendly)
Level 1, 108-112 Clarendon St, Southbank 3006
Dish to order: Red curry roasted duck breast with wild rice $29
Insider tip: 70% of the menu is flagged gluten-free; ask for quinoa instead of rice for a complete-protein boost. Arrive between 5-6 pm for pre-theatre “Power Bowl” deal – main + miso soup for $22.
4. OKAMI Japanese All-You-Can-Eat
208–210 Clarendon St, Southbank 3006
Price: $34.80 pp (lunch), $38.80 (dinner)
Insider tip: Sounds indulgent, but OKAMI’s plates are tapas-sized—perfect for portion control. Load up on edamame, seaweed salad and sashimi first; you’ll rarely need more than one round of tempura. They happily steam veggies in plain water if you ask.
5. ChiliPadi Southbank (Malaysian/Peranakan)
15-25 Freshwater Pl, Southbank 3006
Dish to order: Assam laksa $16.50
Insider tip: Request “less oil, more broth” and you’ll cut 10 g of saturated fat while keeping the gut-friendly tamarind kick. Comes loaded with mint and pineapple—natural digestive enzymes that soothe after a big night.
6. Dodee Paidang Southbank
Lvl 1, 8 Whiteman St, Southbank 3006
Dish to order: Tom yum noodle with grilled king prawns $19
Insider tip: Their spice scale runs 0-7. Stick to level 2 for metabolic lift without cortisol spike; add a side of fresh coconut water (no added sugar) to balance electrolytes after a sweaty yoga class at the nearby Melbourne Recital Centre.
7. Gami Chicken & Beer (Korean)
52 Clarendon St, Southbank 3006
Dish to order: Soy-garlic half chicken $19 + kimchi add-on $3
Insider tip: Chicken is flash-fried in rice bran oil (high smoke point = less oxidation). Pair with the house-fermented kimchi for a probiotic hit; swap fries for the free side salad to dodge post-lunch sluggishness.
8. Straits of Malacca
1/30 Convention Centre Pl, Southbank 3006
Dish to order: Roti canai with dhal (2 pc $10)
Insider tip: Chefs hand-stretch roti at 6 am daily—no frozen dough, no trans-fat margarine. Order a second serve of dhal (lentil protein + fibre) instead of curry chicken to keep things light yet satisfying.
Venue Addresses & Details
- Chin Chin — 125 Flinders Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000 (Nearby Southbank/CBD border) ($$-$$$). Open: 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM Daily. Tip: The ‘Feed Me’ menu is the best way to experience the kitchen’s highlights without the stress of choosing.
- Panda Hot Pot — 106-108 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000 (Southbank/CBD proximity) ($$-$$$). Open: 11:30 AM - 11:00 PM Daily. Tip: Book well in advance for weekend nights as the queue can be over an hour long.
- Rockpool Bar & Grill — 8 Whiteman St, Southbank VIC 3006 ($$$$). Open: 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM, 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM. Tip: While famous for steak, their Asian-inspired side dishes and seafood starters are world-class.
- Gingerboy — 27-29 Crossley St, Melbourne VIC 3000 ($$-$$$). Open: 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM Daily. Tip: Try the son-in-law eggs; they are a cult favorite for a reason.
- Rice Paper Scissors — 19 Hardware Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000 ($$). Open: 11:30 AM - 10:00 PM Daily. Tip: Order the betel leaf wraps to start; they are perfectly balanced in flavor.
- Red Spice Road — 27 McKillop St, Melbourne VIC 3000 ($$-$$$). Open: 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM. Tip: Their pork belly is legendary—don’t leave without trying it.
Wellness-Fuelled Walking Route
Start with a steaming bowl at Hanoi Mee (Freshwater Sq) → stroll 5 min along the river to Arts Centre forecourt for ten deep-breathing lunges → duck into Shujinko if you need a midnight top-up. Total distance: 600 m; negligible cortisol cost.
Venue Addresses & Details
- Chin Chin — 125 Flinders Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000 (Nearby Southbank/CBD border) ($$-$$$). Open: 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM Daily. Tip: The ‘Feed Me’ menu is the best way to experience the kitchen’s highlights without the stress of choosing.
- Panda Hot Pot — 106-108 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000 (Southbank/CBD proximity) ($$-$$$). Open: 11:30 AM - 11:00 PM Daily. Tip: Book well in advance for weekend nights as the queue can be over an hour long.
- Rockpool Bar & Grill — 8 Whiteman St, Southbank VIC 3006 ($$$$). Open: 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM, 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM. Tip: While famous for steak, their Asian-inspired side dishes and seafood starters are world-class.
- Gingerboy — 27-29 Crossley St, Melbourne VIC 3000 ($$-$$$). Open: 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM Daily. Tip: Try the son-in-law eggs; they are a cult favorite for a reason.
- Rice Paper Scissors — 19 Hardware Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000 ($$). Open: 11:30 AM - 10:00 PM Daily. Tip: Order the betel leaf wraps to start; they are perfectly balanced in flavor.
- Red Spice Road — 27 McKillop St, Melbourne VIC 3000 ($$-$$$). Open: 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM. Tip: Their pork belly is legendary—don’t leave without trying it.
Need-to-Know Quick Guide
- Cash-free zone: Every venue accepts tap-and-go; split bills at the table.
- Parking hack: Arts Centre car park validates until 8 pm—$12 flat if you dine and upload your licence plate at any of the above restaurants.
- Dietary codes: Vegan (Dodee, Fat Buddha), gluten-free (Fat Buddha, ChiliPadi), low-carb noodles (Hanoi Mee, Shujinko on request).
Eat smart, walk the river, and let Southbank feed both your taste buds and your well-being—no post-meal regret required.
Venue Addresses & Details
- Chin Chin — 125 Flinders Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000 (Nearby Southbank/CBD border) ($$-$$$). Open: 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM Daily. Tip: The ‘Feed Me’ menu is the best way to experience the kitchen’s highlights without the stress of choosing.
- Panda Hot Pot — 106-108 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000 (Southbank/CBD proximity) ($$-$$$). Open: 11:30 AM - 11:00 PM Daily. Tip: Book well in advance for weekend nights as the queue can be over an hour long.
- Rockpool Bar & Grill — 8 Whiteman St, Southbank VIC 3006 ($$$$). Open: 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM, 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM. Tip: While famous for steak, their Asian-inspired side dishes and seafood starters are world-class.
- Gingerboy — 27-29 Crossley St, Melbourne VIC 3000 ($$-$$$). Open: 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM Daily. Tip: Try the son-in-law eggs; they are a cult favorite for a reason.
- Rice Paper Scissors — 19 Hardware Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000 ($$). Open: 11:30 AM - 10:00 PM Daily. Tip: Order the betel leaf wraps to start; they are perfectly balanced in flavor.
- Red Spice Road — 27 McKillop St, Melbourne VIC 3000 ($$-$$$). Open: 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM. Tip: Their pork belly is legendary—don’t leave without trying it.
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