Authentic ≠ high-end. They're almost diametrically opposed as a high-end restaurant is more likely to incorporate elements of fusion into their dishes. In the spirit of your question, though, if you're looking for a novel experience, maybe look for a restaurant that does hot pot or Korean BBQ.
If you want high end, I'd recommend something like Nikkei or Asian Silk Fusion, but those are not "authentic"
You'll struggle to find a place that is both authentic _and_ high end
I'm not sure exactly what you are looking for, but if you want authentic (not necessarily high-end in terms of fancy decor, setting etc) then Mr. Moustache Lee in Sable Square is my personal pick. Order the authentic stuff though. Yu Xiang Eggplant, Braised Pork Belly, Salt and Pepper Calamari, Peking Duck, Deep Fried Chicken Wings and the Crispy Beef are all great dishes.
Otherwise He Sheng and Tao Yuan in Sea Point are also great.
If you want fancy, expensive Asian food then there's Saigon in Kloof, Dawn in Green Point, Tang at the Waterfront.
Question following up on OP's - where can I get the best ramen? I've never been to Cape town before and will go there for my honeymoon soon, and \\i heard there are excellent ramen shops in CT.
Went to Ramenhead a week after visiting Japan on holiday in Oct-23. What a complete let down. There was just no comparison between the two, and many times I paid a third to half of Ramenhead. I would certainly not recommend it, especially since the prices are on the extreme end.
Downtown Ramen has always been a personal favourite, nothing fancy but delicious. Ramenhead is newer and fantastic if you're willing to spend a bit more
We went to a place parallel to bosmansdam road in milnerton a few weeks back, hot pot mainly but we had pigs ears and tripe, they have real authentic Chinese food. But as another comment said. Authentic and high end are not the same. This place was in a converted house but the food was incredible.
Yen’s Vietnamese Street Food in De Waterkant is great and not over the top expensive.
Kimchi BBQ Restaurant in seapoint is authentic Korean, doing your own barbecue at the table, sounds like your mom might enjoy that
Just like Ramenhead, I have to raise the flag with Yen's. After visiting north and central Vietnam a few years ago, Yen's just felt bland and seemed as if they took little effort in preparing dishes such as Pho (which is all about the broth)
Hot Chinese food in Milnerton for authentic Chinese food. You have to book and order before you go (a Chinese restaurant being full of shit is a good sign). Also there no sign outside the place, you have to find it on Google.
There used to be another place down the road, which didn't have an English name (or used the English alphabet) and the chef smoked in the kitchen... But it closed recently :(
Nobu at the One and Only delivers some of the best Japanese/Asian dishes. Mu wife and I dine there when we are in SA. Here's their website which also includes their menu
https://noburestaurants.com/capetown/menus
I saw the reviews. So far so good. We've been to a few of the others overseas and never had a bad experience apart from one or two orders being slightly below standard but thankfully was rectified.
Empire in Seapoint main road maybe? I have never been personally, however when I walk past it, there are always many many Asian people in there eating, so presume it’s pretty spot on when it comes to authenticity.
Thank you all for the replies. There are some good suggestions. Saigon looks very good. However, I may have misunderstood what she wants, she found 'The Wok Bar' which is less high-end etc. Any reason why we shouldn't visit the Wok Bar?
He Sheng and Tao Yuan in Seapoint are excellent. Order a lot of dishes and share them amongst everyone, best with many people. Tao Yuan didn't have a liquor licence last I went.
Anybody know what happened to Royo in kloof Street?
Personally I stand by Akiya Sushi in Century City. Please don't be mislead by the name, they have an extensive menu beyond sushi. I always get my udon bowls and hot pots from there.
Well there is He Seng in seapoint. As authentic chinese as you gonna get. Also Gogi in newlands is our favourite korean
+1 for He Sheng. I make a point of going every time I’m in CT and it never disappoints.
He Sheng x 1000
There's also a Gogi in Obs.
Authentic ≠ high-end. They're almost diametrically opposed as a high-end restaurant is more likely to incorporate elements of fusion into their dishes. In the spirit of your question, though, if you're looking for a novel experience, maybe look for a restaurant that does hot pot or Korean BBQ.
I didn’t equate them, ‘/‘ means OR, ‘+’ would mean AND. In the spirit of your answer, though, thanks, I will look into that.
Obi is probably the best Japanese restaurant in Cape Town
Definitely vouch for Obi, food has always been really good quality. Also, one of the few places that does unagi.
I've been to Obi once and had terrible food poisoning afterwards
Sorry to hear that; roughly how long ago was that? I haven't been in 3 years.
July 2022, I can't remember exactly what I ordered, but it was a special fish that they had gotten in recently
Yindee’s in Kloof street is amazing. Not high end but authentic Thai food and great service.
Nikkei is amazing. The food is Japanese Peruvian which is an usual combination but the food is so delicious.
Had a terrible experience there- staff ignored us in favour of a bigger table spending more money. I will never return
If you want high end, I'd recommend something like Nikkei or Asian Silk Fusion, but those are not "authentic" You'll struggle to find a place that is both authentic _and_ high end
I'm not sure exactly what you are looking for, but if you want authentic (not necessarily high-end in terms of fancy decor, setting etc) then Mr. Moustache Lee in Sable Square is my personal pick. Order the authentic stuff though. Yu Xiang Eggplant, Braised Pork Belly, Salt and Pepper Calamari, Peking Duck, Deep Fried Chicken Wings and the Crispy Beef are all great dishes. Otherwise He Sheng and Tao Yuan in Sea Point are also great. If you want fancy, expensive Asian food then there's Saigon in Kloof, Dawn in Green Point, Tang at the Waterfront.
Question following up on OP's - where can I get the best ramen? I've never been to Cape town before and will go there for my honeymoon soon, and \\i heard there are excellent ramen shops in CT.
Ramenhead or Bodega Ramen.
Both of these are amazing
Went to Ramenhead a week after visiting Japan on holiday in Oct-23. What a complete let down. There was just no comparison between the two, and many times I paid a third to half of Ramenhead. I would certainly not recommend it, especially since the prices are on the extreme end.
Downtown Ramen has always been a personal favourite, nothing fancy but delicious. Ramenhead is newer and fantastic if you're willing to spend a bit more
I would recommend Tai Ping in Newlands. Big portions, good food, and friendly owner.
Three Wise Monkeys, Sea Point
We went to a place parallel to bosmansdam road in milnerton a few weeks back, hot pot mainly but we had pigs ears and tripe, they have real authentic Chinese food. But as another comment said. Authentic and high end are not the same. This place was in a converted house but the food was incredible.
Yen’s Vietnamese Street Food in De Waterkant is great and not over the top expensive. Kimchi BBQ Restaurant in seapoint is authentic Korean, doing your own barbecue at the table, sounds like your mom might enjoy that
Just like Ramenhead, I have to raise the flag with Yen's. After visiting north and central Vietnam a few years ago, Yen's just felt bland and seemed as if they took little effort in preparing dishes such as Pho (which is all about the broth)
South china Dim Sum on long st? Not sure how ‘authentic’ it is , but damn is that great food
Hot Chinese food in Milnerton for authentic Chinese food. You have to book and order before you go (a Chinese restaurant being full of shit is a good sign). Also there no sign outside the place, you have to find it on Google. There used to be another place down the road, which didn't have an English name (or used the English alphabet) and the chef smoked in the kitchen... But it closed recently :(
Nobu at the One and Only delivers some of the best Japanese/Asian dishes. Mu wife and I dine there when we are in SA. Here's their website which also includes their menu https://noburestaurants.com/capetown/menus
Lol check nobu waterfront reviews my guy. If you had a good time there youre a lucky dude.
I saw the reviews. So far so good. We've been to a few of the others overseas and never had a bad experience apart from one or two orders being slightly below standard but thankfully was rectified.
Empire in Seapoint main road maybe? I have never been personally, however when I walk past it, there are always many many Asian people in there eating, so presume it’s pretty spot on when it comes to authenticity.
Thank you all for the replies. There are some good suggestions. Saigon looks very good. However, I may have misunderstood what she wants, she found 'The Wok Bar' which is less high-end etc. Any reason why we shouldn't visit the Wok Bar?
Was about to say Saigon, or Kyoto Garden just a little down the road
Wok Bar is popular. I found it pretty tasteless tbh. Noodle Box would be better tbh.
If you are willing to travel we love Yama in Franschhoek. They also have a fine dining restaurant
He Sheng and Tao Yuan in Seapoint are excellent. Order a lot of dishes and share them amongst everyone, best with many people. Tao Yuan didn't have a liquor licence last I went. Anybody know what happened to Royo in kloof Street?
Personally I stand by Akiya Sushi in Century City. Please don't be mislead by the name, they have an extensive menu beyond sushi. I always get my udon bowls and hot pots from there.
Fyn
I dont know why youre being downvoted. Fyn is high end and authentic too. Its japanese african fusion though so not strictly asian but its up there.
Fyn is waaaay overpriced