Bambusia Chinese Restaurant — Restaurant in Sydney

This place has been pulling in the crowds for decades on the corner of Newland and Ebley Streets, and the Sat. night that we dined was no exception. It was packed to the rafters.

Passover had just ended, so that made it even busier than usual. Luckily we had taken the precaution (just) of booking ahead the same afternoon, because if we hadn’t done that, we would never have gotten a table.

But even though it was busy, everything went off smoothly. Six of us dined and we ended up with a nice table near the door, which was just as well, as it was a hot autumn night and given the number of people, the air con system seemed to struggle to cope.

There are plenty of wait staff on duty, so our orders were promptly taken and there was no long wait for the meals. We shared spring rolls and curry puffs for entree and after that it was each man (and woman) for themselves. I ordered the braised chicken with almonds, my wife ordered a vegetarian selection and our friends mainly went for prawn and chicken dishes. Everything was fresh and tasty and carefully prepared with love, care and attention to detail. Clearly, only the best quality ingredients are used here and everyone enjoyed their meals.

The atmosphere was lively and energetic, if a tad hectic, but then the carpets, plastic backed chairs and high ceilings tend to absorb most of the noise so we were able to converse without too much trouble.

Prices are quite reasonable with many main dishes coming in at under $20 and entrees can be purchased individually which is a big help if some don’t want them. So, for example we ordered six spring rolls but only two beef curry puffs. And they still take the Ent Book voucher, which will lop a further $20 off your bill. All up, for six of us, we paid $130, and that included three glasses of VB, six spring rolls, two curry puffs, six mains and a large bowl of steamed rice. Can’t complain about that.

The toilets are clean and well provisioned and with separate male and female facilities and plenty of cubicles, there’s no waiting around for one to become available. Better signage from within the restaurant wouldn’t go astray though.

The nearby Westfield Shopping Centre offers free parking after 6pm, but even street parking is available and is unrestricted after 6pm in Ebley Street.

This is a superior restaurant on every level, and one of the very few in this area that can actually get a full house. And despite the crowds, it hums like a well oiled machine. Food is excellent and service is efficient and polite. Next time though, I think I’d prefer to dine on a quieter weeknight to really be able to enjoy the food and...

First note... there are two Bambusia's in the Eastern Suburbs. Bambusia Bondi Junction Bambusia Bondi Beach

This review is for the Bondi Junction one. They are NOT the same despite having a very similar name. I think some of the one star reviews are for the other Bambusia.

The food tastes great and you can tell from the place being packed our most of the time.

Service is exceptional compared to other Chinese restaurants in the area. They are particularly family friendly, treating my boys like little princes showering them with prawn crackers as an entree and ice cream and a chocolate for dessert.

A great asset to the Bondi...

Ive been a customer for 25+ years and for good reason - Richard and his cooks make the b est Aussie Chinese in Sydney - go try it and tell me you've had better fried rice anywhere, even overseas = not possible. As for his satay prawns, so good you can drink the sauce!! I lived in HK for 20 years + and panged for Bambusia all the time such that i made it my go to 1st food stop in Sydney whenever I came home. Now I am home my wife and I takeaway at least 3x per month of not more bc its without doubt the best flavoured Chinese in the East and the prices are reasonable. DO YOURSELF...