The premise was simple: bring a piece of Asia's hawker eateries into the hidden courtyards of what is now Sydney's award-winning street for Best "Architectural Design." With a red-hot lantern glow, burning heaters and steaming bowls of every kind of broth, Spice Alley remains our rendezvous point these coming winter months.

From north to south end, our vendors boast cuisines from Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Hong Kong and Japan. Fresh roti, laksa, udon noodles and shiu mai dumplings come together in this open-air dining space beneath a city skyline punctuated by red lanterns and fairy lights. And if being exposed to the elements isn't your thing, nab a table within the heritage terraces that frame the Alley.

"We ate our way through Spice Alley and it was delicious." Better take Urban List's word for it.

Katong Laksa - Photography by Lauren Commens

Singapore is the home of the hawker centre. Springing up after the city’s rapid mid-20th century urbanisation, the historical street market and its humble local cuisine go hand in hand. Especially in winter. 

With a career spanning both Singapore and Sydney, Chef Alex Lee now delivers authentic Singaporean dishes through the windows of Alex Lee Kitchen. On a winter’s night, converse over the Chatterbox Chicken Rice or Padang Satay Skewers. The Katong Laksa holds just enough rich coconut and spice for a sojourn back to the hawker motherland. 

Pro tip: TimeOut Sydney recently declared Alex Lee Kitchen to have the best roti in Sydney!

Green Curry and Crispy Fried Pork Belly - Photography by Lauren Commens

Here hides the heartfelt authenticity of a Bangkok street cart.

Our resident Thai stall packs a punch to the senses, from a cuisine known for its love of that devilish pepper. This kind of culinary enthusiasm finds itself in the crowd-favourite Green Curry and Pad Thai, that hearty crackling of the Crispy Fried Pork Belly and the sweet Pulled Duck Pancakes.

If you’re not a fan of the spice, not to worry - Bang Luck sweeps the entire mild-to-hot flavour train in this culinary tribute to the tropical continent.

Penang Char Kway Teo - Photography by Lauren Commens

Uncle Jim is cooking up a storm for the family tonight.

At Old Jim Kee, Malaysian cuisine reigns supreme. From his Nyonyan hometown, Chef Jim Yong brings honest home cooking to this corner of Spice Alley. If you’re not tucking into the signature char kway teow, bring a plate of nasi goreng or hokkein noodles back to the table. Old Jim Kee is also home to the fairy light courtyard, nestled behind Glider and The Beauty Table.

They’re sliding ice kachang and cold teh tariks from the drinks counter. And for Friday night? Chicken wings, spring rolls and curry puffs all round.

Pork Buns, Vegetarian Dumplings - Photography by Lauren Commens

We’re ditching those Lazy Susans with lazy afternoons. At Hong Kong Diner, dumplings are delivered from morning til night, without the chaos of the extended family arguing during Yum Cha hour.

Sugarcane Prawn - Photography by Lauren Commens

Nearing the equator, Lower Mekong draws family recipes from the humid regions of Vietnam.

With a more chilled vibe than its brother, the upper-level Mekong, Lower Mekong’s menu meanders through the definitive dishes of Vietnamese cuisine – cutting through spring rolls, banh xeo (crispy pancake), banh mi rolls and that classic bowl of pho which has been proven to cure (almost) anything, including winter blues.

Tonkotsu Ramen, Beef Don - Photography by Lauren Commens

The last stop through the Spice Alley laneway leads us to KYO-TO.

Our Japanese diner offers the staples - including those classic noodle broths. If you're after a traditional ramen, try the Tonkotsu Ramen - a luscious broth of pork belly, egg, bamboo, spring onion, bean sprout and dry seaweed. Share some edamame and takoyaki, carve up that okonomiyaki pancake amongst your mates.

Part terrace dining room, part open-air courtyard, this small restaurant continues Spice Alley’s whirlwind hustle from pan to plate. Either dine within a red-columned dining room inspired by the famous Fushimi Inari Shrine, or in a 19th century courtyard graced by Japanese lanterns and Scott Marsh’s graffiti geishas.

Put on your coat, grab some company and head downtown for a night in Spice Alley: a tribute to the night markets and hawker eateries of Asia. No winter blues here.

KYO-TO interior styling inspired by the Fushimi Inari Shrine - Photography by Lauren Commens

Everyone's getting a piece of Kensington Street's hidden gem. Here's some appearances Spice Alley has made the media.

Archinect - Sydney's revamped Kensington Street wins Good Design Award.
Architecture & Design - "Taking home the top Architectural Design award was Sydney's newest laneway and eat street destination, Kensington Street...”
Broadsheet - Lower Mekong's menu is not defined by borders.
The Daily Telegraph - Kensington Street makes an appearance on Sydney's hottest suburban food hubs.
Milk Tea Blog - "Spice Alley, the home to some deliciously cheap hawker goodness!”
SmudgeEats - SmudgeEats visits KYO-TO, Mekong, Lower Mekong, Bar Chinois and Spice Alley.
TimeOut - Time Out's Guide to Spice Alley.
The Urban List - Alex Lee brings his Singaporean flavour to Spice Alley—a world of Asian street food minus the plane ticket.
The Urban List - "We Ate Our Way Through Spice Alley And It Was Delicious.”
Urban Walkabout - Mekong and Lower Mekong in Sydney's newest destinations.

Connect with Spice Alley

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Opening hours:
Everyday 11am – 10pm (last orders 9:30pm)

For additional information, please email nickyginsberg@kensingtonstreet.com.au or call Nicky Ginsberg on 0417 494 317

Nicky Ginsberg
Creative Director

32-34 Kensington Street
Chippendale 2008
0417 494 317
www.kensingtonstreet.com.au