Everywhere good to eat in Chatswood

Amah, an upmarket 250-seat Malaysian restaurant, evokes memories of Malaysia’s Penang Island. Set in a food court, it’s fronted by a cocktail bar and anchored by a central island kitchen, where customers can watch the chefs work. Amah (grandmother in Hokkien) is a labour of love for head chef Loong Oon, who reinvents well-loved family recipes here.

The Fish ball soup, a signature dish, features Spanish mackerel from the Northern Territory, with pork and flounder bones flavouring the sweet and savoury broth. Another addictive dish is Char kway teow (rice noodles) with king prawns, fish cake, omelette and Chinese sausage tossed over high heat until smoky and soy-blackened with charred flavour.

Finish your meal with delicious desserts like Ice Kacang and Cendol, both of which involve some heat-beating ice and sweet syrupy toppings.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Sweet and sour vegemite pork ribs ($30)

Always packed during peak hours, Khao Pla is one of the most traditional Thai dining experiences in Sydney. The atmosphere is casual and relaxed with a black and white colour palette and wall decorations depicting Thailand’s street food culture. Chef Pla Rojratanavichai serves up Thai classics with a modern twist.

The menu’s inventive specials include a Banana blossom salad composed of thinly shredded banana flowers, poached shredded chicken and prawns, topped with a poached egg, which is totally addictive, and pretty healthy to boot. The Sweet and sour pork ribs are twice-cooked with palm sugar and tamarind, and fall off the bone when eaten. Also recommended is the Massaman curry, a southern Thai-style braised beef curry with tamarind and palm sugar.

The food here is beautifully plated and perfect for sharing with a group over bowls of steaming rice.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Crying tiger – chargrilled Issan style marinated Wagyu striploin ($22.50)

Come to Mamak for Malaysian hawker fare complete with a fascinating live theatre of skilful roti masters flipping the dough in the open kitchen windows while you wait.

Homesick Malaysians will be comforted by familiar Malaysian accents, with an atmosphere that’s casual and relaxed with fast service, perfect for an unfussy meal.

Begin with the original roti canai which is crisp along the edges and yet soft. It’s served with two curry dips and a dollop of spicy sambal belachan.

Then feast on hearty chunks of charcoal-grilled chicken and beef satay dipped in thick, sweetly savoury peanut sauce. Nasi lemak, Malaysia’s national dish, is served with fragrant coconut rice, spicy sambal, fried anchovies, peanuts, cucumber, and a hard-boiled egg. Not to be missed is Teh tarik, a popular milk tea that is sweet and addictive.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Nasi lemak ($16)

DoDee is a favourite for lovers of Thai food. The food is great for sharing and it’s always busy, so get in quick.

Thailand’s incredibly affordable and flavourful hawker fare is on full display here and the Tom yum soup, in particular, is renowned. A sweet and sour broth flavoured with lemongrass, galangal, lime, and Thai herbs and topped with seafood or meat, you can choose your level of spiciness from “nursery” (non-spicy) all the way up to “supernova” (level 7).

Try the side dishes like skewered pork in special sauce and herbs, as well as the wonderful papaya salad. The soft shell crabs are also perfectly crisp and will tempt you to order more.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Tom yum prawn noodles ($20.90)

Filipino restaurants, renowned for hearty and complex cuisine, are hard to come by in Sydney but you can’t go wrong with
Pamana. Warm and cosy with sidewalk seating, this place is perfect for meeting up with friends and family over great and affordable comfort food.

Start with small dishes like the spicy Sisig which is minced pork jowl and chicken liver marinated in chilli peppers and garlic, served with a raw egg. Next, feast on Lechon kawali, buttery soft pork belly enhanced by a thick, sweet and tangy sauce. Crispy pata is another popular Filipino dish where pork knuckles are deep-fried and served with salad and vinegar. Or try the Boodle Fight every Saturday where the table is covered in banana leaves, and then piled high with grilled seafood, roast meats, various stews and rice dishes – all eaten with hands of course.

Dish Cult’s top pick: Lechon kawali ($23.90)