Ho Jiak Bar

- 125 York St, Sydney NSW 2000

Ho Jiak Bar at Town Hall is a vibrant and highly-regarded destination in the Sydney Central Business District, offering an authentic yet innovative Malaysian culinary and bar experience. While the name features "Bar," this venue is first and foremost the acclaimed Malaysian restaurant, Ho Jiak Town Hall, known for bringing the bold, complex flavours of Penang street food and home-style cooking to the New South Wales capital. Under the guidance of Head Chef Junda Khoo, the venue has garnered significant attention, even earning a prestigious One Hat award from the Sydney Morning Herald's Good Food Guide, showcasing its commitment to excellence in modern Malaysian cuisine.

Unlike traditional bars, Ho Jiak Bar integrates a full-service bar experience with a deep, expansive food menu. This means patrons can enjoy classic favourites like smoky **Char Koay Teow** (stir-fried flat rice noodles) and rich, creamy **Laksa**, alongside an inventive drinks list. The atmosphere is **Casual** yet fun, often decorated with vibrant colours and neon signs, creating a relaxed and engaging setting that pays homage to the street food stalls of Penang. It’s a place where diners can explore authentic Malaysian cuisine, from humble staples like **Nasi Lemak** to luxury specials like **Malaysian Chilli Crab**.

The unique offering of Ho Jiak Bar is its successful fusion of authentic Malaysian flavours with playful, modern culinary concepts, often referred to as Chef Khoo's 'playground'. This dual focus—serving critically-acclaimed food and a sophisticated range of beverages including signature **Cocktails**—makes it a standout choice for **Solo dining**, a quick work Lunch, or a full **Dinner** with **Groups**. The entire experience is focused on big, authentic flavour delivered with professional, friendly service, earning high praise from dedicated customers.

Location and Accessibility

Ho Jiak Bar is centrally located in the heart of the Sydney CBD at 125 York St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia. This location is incredibly convenient for anyone living or working in the New South Wales region. Being near the intersection of York Street and the Town Hall area means it is just a short walk from the major Town Hall train and light rail station, as well as numerous bus routes, making it exceptionally easy to reach via public transport.

The address places it directly opposite the iconic Queen Victoria Building (QVB), positioning it perfectly for pre- or post-shopping dining, or as a central meeting point. While the venue does not have dedicated parking, its inner-city location is well-served by nearby paid parking garages and paid street parking options. The venue is also committed to ensuring accessibility for all patrons, specifically noting that it has a **Wheelchair accessible entrance**, making the authentic Malaysian experience available to everyone. The seamless combination of a superb central location and attention to accessibility significantly enhances its appeal.

Services Offered

Ho Jiak Bar operates primarily as a full-service restaurant and **Cocktail bar**, offering a comprehensive set of services focused on providing a quality **Dine-in** experience:

• Full Dining Experience: Offers a vast menu of authentic and innovative Malaysian **Food** for both lunch and dinner, ranging from street food classics to premium creations.
• Full Bar Service: Provides a wide range of **Alcohol**, **Beer**, **Hard liquor**, and **Wine**, complementing the bold flavours of the Malaysian cuisine.
• Specialty Cocktails: Features an eclectic list of signature **Cocktails**, such as the 'A Century' (a Negroni twist with Chrysanthemum-infused Gin) and 'Aurora Princess' (an Amah-inspired Lychee Martini), adding a modern, creative twist to the beverage offerings.
• Table Service: All dining is managed via professional **Table service**, ensuring a relaxed and attentive experience.
• Private Dining/Events: The Town Hall location offers multiple semi-private and private dining areas (like 'The Courtyard' and 'The Playroom') for medium to large **Groups** and corporate events.
• Payment Convenience: Accepts all modern payment methods including **Credit cards**, **Debit cards**, and **NFC mobile payments**.
• Amenities: Clean **Restroom** facilities are available for all guests.
• Takeaway/Delivery: Although primarily a dine-in establishment, it offers takeaway and delivery services for added convenience (available via the Ho Jiak brand across its locations).

Features / Highlights

The features that distinguish Ho Jiak Bar as a leading Sydney CBD establishment are rooted in its innovative cuisine and fun atmosphere:

• Award-Winning Malaysian Cuisine: Recognised with a prestigious Chef Hat, the quality of food is a major highlight, celebrated for its bold, authentic flavours and creative twists.
• Signature Dishes: Must-try items include the famous smoky **Char Koay Teow**, the rich **Laksa Bombs** (dumplings in laksa broth), and inventive mains like **Vegemite Short Ribs** and **Dry-Aged Roast Duck**.
• Creative Cocktail Menu: The bar features a vibrant drink list with original, flavourful **Cocktails** and a wide selection of international wines and spirits.
• Authentic Street Food Staples: The menu provides essential Malaysian comfort food like **Nasi Lemak**, **Indomie Goreng**, and various **Teh** and **Kopi** drinks, creating an authentic experience.
• Fun and Casual Atmosphere: The decor is often described as lively and colourful, combining modern design with nostalgic Penang-inspired elements, making it an ideal, unpretentious spot for socialising.
• Late Night Dining: Often offers a **Late Night Special Menu**, catering to the city's late-night diners, with last orders extending close to midnight on some evenings.
• Dietary Inclusivity: The brand is known to offer extensive **Vegan and Gluten Friendly** options, including dishes like Vegan Kari Chye and Gluten Free Hainan Chicken.

What is Worth Choosing Ho Jiak Bar

Choosing Ho Jiak Bar is choosing a culinary journey that is both deeply authentic and surprisingly innovative. For food lovers in New South Wales, the restaurant’s primary value lies in its status as one of Sydney’s best Malaysian eateries, providing a flavour profile that truly captures the essence of Penang’s famed hawker stalls. This is not your average Asian restaurant; it’s a destination where traditional recipes are honoured but also playfully reinvented, resulting in award-winning dishes that are unique to Ho Jiak.

What makes the venue worth choosing as a **Bar** is the seamless integration of its high-quality drinks program with its exceptional food. The experience goes beyond simple drinking; it’s about pairing bold, complex Malaysian flavours with equally inventive **Cocktails** or a fine glass of **Wine**. Whether you are dining **Solo dining** at the bar after work, hosting a large **Group** in one of their private areas, or just craving the best **Char Koay Teow** in the city, the combination of top-tier cuisine, creative beverages, a central CBD location on York Street, and a welcoming, **Casual** atmosphere ensures a vibrant and satisfying visit every time. It’s an essential stop for anyone wanting authentic Asian food with a modern, metropolitan twist.

Ho Jiak Bar

125 York St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia