Joburg is home to many immigrant Asian communities and you can find authentic Chinese, Korean, Thai, and Japanese cuisine across the city, as long as you know where to look. Trust our comprehensive guide to Asian Joburg to find the best produce, local and imported goods, Asian-style, and traditional restaurants in your area. Here we're talking specifically about China and East Asia. If you're looking for authentic cuisine from the Indian subcontinent, our guide to Fordsburg Square is a good place to start or an immersive Fordsburg walking tour with Eenblond Tours.
Joburg's East Asian community started with a large Chinese community who first settled on Commissioner Street in Ferreirasdorp to be close to the mining camp activity. This historic First Chinatown has over the years been largely abandoned as a centre of Chinese cultural activity as the Joburg economy shifted from the City Centre, but it still retains its historical landmarks which include the oldest Chinese restaurant and one of the best Chinese supermarkets.
From around the late 1990s, the Chinese community's businesses migrated to Cyrildene, and a vibrant new generation has created a distinctive neighbourhood there. In the north, a hub for Chinese immigrants was established in Rivonia where various Chinese supermarkets and restaurants can be found along Rivonia Boulevard. And all across Joburg, there's a network of China malls stocked with local and imported goods at wholesale prices. The city’s original, and possibly the largest China Mall, is on Main Reef Road in Amalgam. The China malls are great for electronics, fashion, and homeware, but for cooking essentials and ingredients read on to explore our favourite Asian markets – starting with Joburg's three key Chinese neighbourhoods.
CYRILDENE
As you enter through the grand paifang (archway) of Chinatown Cyrildene , it can feel overwhelming, but this street has a lot to offer.Derrick Avenue
Anong Thai Restaurant
For authentic and delicious Thai cuisine, you can’t miss Anong in a beautiful wooden structure just off Derrick Avenue. The restaurant is light and breezy with comfortable seating, and the abundance of tropical foliage makes you feel like you’re really in Thailand. Menu highlights include pad thai, whole fried fish, and the most delicious mango and sticky rice for dessert.
CJ Supermarket
CJ Supermarket is the largest store on Derrick Avenue. They have endless aisles of imported noodles, snacks, and biscuits. As you venture further into the store, there’s a small Korean section, a wall of freezers packed with frozen dumplings and buns, and a large butchery section. At the back of the store, you’ll find cooking equipment, spices, condiments, tofu, and fresh produce.
Shun De Chinese Restaurant
Shun De is something of an institution on Derrick Avenue. Once you make your way up the stairs leading off Derrick Avenue, an inviting patio that overlooks the street gives way to a vast indoor restaurant. On an average weekday only a few tables will be occupied but, come Sundays, the restaurant becomes a hive of activity as every table is soon occupied by hungry diners settling in for the ever-popular yum cha, a Cantonese tradition of brunch with Chinese tea and dim sum. It's a Sunday morning tradition that we highly recommend: it's tasty, social, and easy on the pocket. If you're looking to visit for lunch or dinner, or simply want a takeaway, their menu is vast and offers authentic Chinese dishes.
FERREIRASDORP
Swallows Inn
For authentic Chinese cuisine visit Swallows Inn. This small, no-frills restaurant with a red and green façade is credited as the oldest Chinese restaurant in South Africa. Their menu features traditional Cantonese dishes, with wonton mein as a firm customer favourite.
Sui Hing Hong Supermarket
Across the road from Swallows Inn is one of the oldest Chinese supermarkets, Sui Hing Hong stocking a little of everything including condiments, tofu, fireworks, and crockery.
RIVONIA
Although Sandton’s unofficial Chinatown is clustered in Rivonia, from Rivonia Junction to Rivonia Centre you will find many different Asian supermarkets and restaurants, not just Chinese.
Biru Restaurant
Have lunch at hot-pot restaurant Biru on Rivonia Boulevard. Select a broth base (Japanese, bone broth, chilli soup or vegetarian) and choose any toppings from an endless list including wood-ear mushrooms, handmade noodles, and golden fish eggs to add to your broth.
Market Kokoro
Visit Market Kokoro in Rivonia Junction for all your Korean and other Asian cooking needs. Their extensive selection of condiments, noodles, and cookware is unrivalled, and they stock beautiful fresh produce including oyster mushrooms, napa cabbage, and bean sprouts. Kokoro has recently introduced a hot food menu with dumplings, corndogs, and fried rice which is made to order. Pop in between 11:00 and 16:00 to give their hot food a try.
My Basket Supermarket
Do all your Asian pantry shopping at My Basket Supermarket and make sure to sample their freshly baked goods like pumpkin milk bread and hot matcha steamed buns. They also have a great selection of fresh produce including spring onions, bok choy, and bean sprouts.
OTHER NEIGHBOURHOODS
BEDFORDVIEW
Tea & Antique
Tea & Antique is a lovely spot neatly tucked into a corner of Bedfordview. It's a Chinese tea garden meets antique shop meets family-run restaurant. Tea service here is quite the affair. Choose between cold or hot teas and enjoy the elaborate way in which each is presented, complete with a little card which tells you more about each. The menu changes often but luckily staples like dumplings and steamed egg custard buns are a delicious constant you'll want to come back for. Finish your meal with one of the dainty Chinese cakes (ask for the peach and oolong tea variety). They're almost too pretty to cut but the Instagram-worthy pictures you're able to snap of them will leave you smiling long after they're devoured.
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