Architect:Wong family in collaboration with Anouk & Co.

Location:Sydney Austrilia

Project time:2025

The Malaya was founded in 1963 by Wong Tai See, a merchant seaman who migrated to Australia from Hong Kong in the 1940s.

The first Malaya was inspired by the aromatic and spice-driven Nonya and Malay flavours encountered by Wong See on his travels throughout Southeast Asia. Shaped by the scarcity of Asian ingredients in 1960s Australia, the original restaurant was forced to create its own unique recipes, many of which nonetheless challenged the then conservative Australian palate. Many of these recipes are still used today, but are joined on the menu by dishes that reflect the evolution of the restaurant, access to ingredients, and Australia’s ever-growing love affair with spicy, Southeast Asian cuisine.

Based in Haymarket, close to Sydney’s Central Station and Chinatown, the original incarnations of The Malaya were renowned among generations of students, journalists, police and professionals alike. In 2001 Wong See’s son Lance made the decision to follow the direction of the city’s development and move to brand new premises by Darling Harbour at King St Wharf.

Today The Malaya is one of Australia’s longest-standing family-owned restaurants and has been serving generations of Sydneysiders since first opening its doors. After 23 years at King Street Wharf, we relocated to Grosvenor Place in 2025, bringing our dining experience back to the heart of the CBD, and marking a symbolic return to George Street.