MasterChef favourite’s one night stand in best SA Asian restaurant
MasterChef favourite Brendan Pang is busy putting a Thai spin on his signature dumplings in Adelaide this week, but takes time out to share his favourite places to eat when he’s in town.
MasterChef favourite Brendan Pang is set to combine his signature dumpling dishes with a Thai spin, joining forces with Soi 38 for a one-night-only menu and dining experience.
On October 1, Dumplings After Dark will mark Sydney-based Brendan’s first restaurant collaboration in Adelaide.
Named as Best Asian Restaurant in South Australia at the 2026 Restaurant & Catering Awards, Soi 38 aims to bring traditional dishes to life with a contemporary approach, inspired by flavours from childhood.
“We bring the past to the present by bringing something that we actually used to eat when we were young to the plate, but in the way that modern food, the modern style of restaurant, offers,” Soi 38 chef-owner Terry Intarakhamhaeng said.
Six months in the making, Terry said the special collaboration was inspired by the idea of introducing something beyond another conventional Thai dining experience.
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Combining a shared love of Southeast Asian and Thai food, along with dumplings, Terry felt Brendan was the perfect fit for the collaboration.
“It’s a collaboration and a combination of both of what we’re known for. So, for him, it’s authentic Thai flavours and for me, it’s dumplings,” Brendan said.
The menu was designed entirely by Brendan, also a cookbook author, combining signature Thai flavours with his own style of dumplings.
Among the dishes are Tom Yum crab wontons and Massaman potato pot stickers, Brendan flags the Tom Yum crab wontons as the highlight of the menu, describing them as flavourful and exciting.
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“With the Tom Yum butter, it’s kind of nice and rich and silky, but it also has some punchy flavours as well,” he said.
Brendan’s motivation for the partnership was to create a fusion of authentic flavours while providing people something that is simply enjoyable to eat.
Despite this being his first restaurant collaboration in Adelaide, Brendan shares his admiration for the city’s food scene.
“I always eat really well when I’m in Adelaide,” Brendan, who won fame competing on MasterChef Australia in 2018 and 2020, said.
His local favourites include the Hainanese chicken rice at Uncle, phở bò tái lăn at Lotus Story in North Adelaide and Africola.
One dish that left a surprise lasting impression during an Adelaide visit was Fugazzi’s gnocco fritto served with whipped ricotta and honey.
“It sounds so simple, but that combination of hot, crispy dough with whipped ricotta and honey really stuck with me,” Brendan, who was born in Perth and moved to Sydney about a year ago, said.
Dumplings After Dark diners will have a face-to-face encounter with Brendan and receive a signed copy of his cookbook.
“I want them to enjoy a menu that they probably wouldn’t have anywhere else in Adelaide or anywhere else around the country.” Brendan said.
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