Ni Hao Bar

Ni Hao Bar
Level 1 The Civic Hotel, 388 Pitt Street, Sydney, New South Wales 2000, Australia

https://nihaobar.com.au/

Meal Flat Lay

Tai Hao Le (Awesome / 太好了)

(Ratings: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = Worst and 10 = Best)
Overall: 8
Ambience & Setting: 9
Food & Beverage: 8
Service: 8
Value for Money: 7
Spent about AUD $48 / SGD $42 per person.

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Launched in November 2020 by Howin Chui, Ni Hao Bar is named for the Chinese Mandarin phrase that means "How are you?". Helmed by Head Chef Bremmy Setiyoko, Ni Hao Bar presents traditional favourites in exciting and novel ways, a casual dining gastrobar that channels a distinctive vibe.

Ambience at Ni Hao Bar resembles a casual gastrobar from 1970s Hong Kong, with live music on some days. Intentionally dimly lit with plush booths and modern furnishings, the space features retro flashing neon lights and a mural of Bruce Lee and his master, Ip Man, painted by Adam Chow. Decor is oriental imperial, rather like walking into a grand court.

Service at Ni Hao Bar is professional and friendly, with staff greeting guests and ushering them to seats. Ordering is done online, as is payment. Orders are fulfilled quickly, and staff clean up efficiently when diners leave. Staff are helpful, demonstrating good product knowledge, and assisting with requests.

Food at Ni Hao Bar is Chinese Mandarin cuisine, with traditional flavours presented in modern fashion. Dishes are delicious and well-executed, with robust marinades, spices, and gravies. Portions are sized for communal group dining. Prices command a slight premium, budget about AUD $48 / SGD $42 per person.

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Ni Hao Bar Signage

Mural Artwork

Ni Hao Bar Entrance

Seating

Seating

Bar

Music Console

Oriental Water Cup

Oriental Water Cup

The Cocktail Pandan Coconut (AUD $23) features a blend of white rum hand infused with pandan / screwpine leaf essence, vodka, coconut liqueur, sugar syrup, and pandan kaya / screwpine leaf coconut egg jam, garnished with red adzuki beans, soy bean milk, and desiccated coconut. With a thick creamy smooth texture, this carries strong floral earthy boozy sweet flavour.

Cocktail Pandan Coconut (AUD $23)

Cocktail Pandan Coconut

Cocktail Pandan Coconut

The Pork And Prawn Wanton Dumplings With Black Vinegar And Chili Oil (AUD $25 for 6 pieces), also known as Hong You Chao Shou (红油抄手), is a traditional Chinese Mandarin appetizer, featuring minced pork, shrimp / prawns, green onions or spring onions, and optionally water chestnuts, wrapped in all-purpose flour wanton dumplings wrappers, boiled and served in a thin yet punchy gravy of water, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, black vinegar, white sugar, white pepper, chili oil, spring onions, and sesame oil. The dumplings are named for their folded corners, resembling a person folding their arms in cold weather, and have a juicy springy tender texture, picking up the gravy with its savoury sour salty sweet herbal spicy nutty flavour. Love this tasty appetizer. Highly recommended!

Pork And Prawn Wanton Dumplings With Black Vinegar And Chili Oil (AUD $25 for 6 pieces)

Pork And Prawn Wanton Dumplings With Black Vinegar And Chili Oil

Pork And Prawn Wanton Dumplings With Black Vinegar And Chili Oil

Pork And Prawn Wanton Dumplings With Black Vinegar And Chili Oil

The Steamed Yuzu Butter Scallops (AUD $22 for 4 pieces) feature large fresh scallops in their shell, simple steamed along with yuzu infused butter, minced garlic, light soy sauce, and mung bean cellophane noodles. This has a tender juicy bouncy slippery texture, with bright zesty tangy sour salty savoury sweet spice flavour. Highly recommended!

Steamed Yuzu Butter Scallops (AUD $22 for 4 pieces)

Steamed Yuzu Butter Scallops

Steamed Yuzu Butter Scallops

The Prawn Toast (AUD $26), also known as Shrimp Toast, is a Chinese Cantonese dim sum appetizer, featuring minced shrimp / prawn paste layered on white bread, then baked or deep-fried. Typically garnished with white sesame seeds, black sesame seeds, and parsley, this snack has crisp crunchy soft texture, with enticing smoky sweet savoury salty spice bready nutty flavour. Good!