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Restaurant

Kreta Ayer

Shop 6/337/345 Liverpool Rd, Ashfield NSW 2131, Australia

Recommended by 59 people

Updated

Find Kreta Ayer

Shop 6/337/345 Liverpool Rd, Ashfield NSW 2131, Australia

Directions ↗
+61 2 9797 8688
HoursMonday: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM, 5:00 – 10:00 PM Tuesday: Closed Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM, 5:00 – 10:00 PM Thursday: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM, 5:00 – 10:00 PM Friday: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM, 5:00 – 10:00 PM Saturday: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM, 5:00 – 10:00 PM Sunday: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM, 5:00 – 10:00 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

Plan your visit

About Kreta Ayer

Ashfield regulars come to Kreta Ayer for cooked-to-order Singapore mud crab and honest hawker staples. Plates hit the table fast in the lively dining room—think smoky seafood rice noodles carrying plenty of wok hei, tender Hainanese chicken, and spicy kangkong. Group feasts revolve around the signature chilli mud crab, cracked open hot with fluffy fried mantou buns to mop up the rich sauce. Midday visits draw a dedicated crowd for the $14.90 laksa and iced lemon tea special, while evening tables fill with families sharing multi-dish spreads and opening their own bottles of wine under the house BYO policy.

  • Singapore Mud Crab: Cooked-to-order mud crab prepared in chili, black pepper, salted egg, or curry styles with fried mantou buns.
  • Midday Lunch Special: Hearty lunch portions including laksa or chicken rice paired with a complimentary iced lemon tea for $14.90.
  • BYO Dining: A casual, family-friendly room permitting diners to bring their own wine and beer without an on-site alcohol list.
RestaurantSingaporeanRestaurant

What's On at Kreta Ayer

Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Diners Choose Kreta Ayer

Authentic Singaporean mud crab feasts, value lunch specials, and nostalgic family dining in Ashfield

  • Cooked-to-order mud crab with mantou

    Fresh mud crab is cooked to order across signature styles like Singapore chilli, black pepper, and nyonya curry, served alongside soft fried mantou buns to mop up the sauce.

    Pairing it with mantou (fried buns) to soak up that incredible sauce was a game-changer.

    Zen Huang

  • Generous lunch specials bundled with iced tea

    Midday diners enjoy full-sized mains like rich laksa or Hainan chicken rice paired with an iced lemon tea at a budget-friendly price point.

    $14.90 for a large bowl of laksa with hainan chicken on the side, along with iced lemon tea.

    Don Hua

  • Shareable feasts for group celebrations

    Generous share plates and large banquet-style portions make the dining room a reliable destination for milestone birthdays and multi-generational family get-togethers.

    Would recommend going with a big group of people so you can try all the dishes as the portions were very generous.

    Shiromee Gasperson

  • Family-friendly communal atmosphere

    The lively, unpretentious dining room welcomes families with children for shared feasts and prompt table service.

    Simple delicious flavours, service is fast, ambience is family friendly.

    Anna Manlulo

  • Nostalgic Singaporean hawker flavours

    Dishes replicate the bold, authentic flavours of Singaporean hawker stalls, satisfying cravings for nostalgic home-style cooking.

    I remember it tasting the same as what I ate in Singapore!

    ayo gimenez

  • Homely comfort that hits the spot

    Homely touches across classic staples like tender chicken rice and chilli crab evoke comforting memories of traditional family meals.

    The casual vibe makes it great for families and anyone craving nostalgic flavours done right.

    Sess L

Signature Singaporean specialties and hawker comfort classics

  • Singapore Chilli Crab

    The Singapore Chilli Crab was hands down the highlight of the meal—perfectly cooked, with a rich, flavourful sauce that had just the right balance of spice and sweetness.

    Zen Huang

  • Hainanese Chicken Rice

    Very good chicken rice and fish soup with vermicelli.

    Phuong Anh Dang

  • Laksa

    The best Laksa I've ever had in Sydney!

    lucy chen

  • Wok Hei Seafood Rice Noodle

    The wok hei seafood rice noodle was the highlight, packed with a generous mix of seafood including clams, fish cake, and prawns, with great smoky flavour.

    OZ UTube

Other favorites

Complementary sides, drinks, and sweets to complete your feast

  • Fried Mantou Buns

    Pairing it with mantou (fried buns) to soak up that incredible sauce was a game-changer.

    Zen Huang

  • Lemon Iced Tea

    The lemon iced tea was perfect for the weather.

    Don Hua

  • Iced Cendol

    We ordered chili crab with fried buns, kumquat tea and iced cendol. All was great and we had a great night.

    Ngọc Tuyền Phạm Lê

  • Ngoh Hiang

    Some of our favourite dishes to order include the Hainan chicken, the seafood fried rice, and the ngoh hiang.

    Matthew Kwon

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the chilli crab prepared and served?

Fresh mud crab is cooked to order with choices like Singapore chilli, black pepper, or salted egg, and diners strongly recommend ordering fried mantou buns to soak up the sauce. You can also request spicy or non-spicy preparation.

Can you bring your own alcohol?

Yes, Kreta Ayer does not serve alcohol on-site, but bringing your own drinks (BYO) is permitted.

What is included in the lunch special?

The lunch special is popular and offers generous portions, such as a large laksa or noodle main paired with an iced lemon tea for $14.90. Arriving just before 12:00 PM helps avoid midday rushes.

What are the parking and transport options?

While street parking can be found at the western end of Ashfield, parking directly along busy Liverpool Road can be tricky, making public transport a convenient option.

Should you book a table in advance?

Reservations are accepted and recommended, particularly for weekend visits and larger family gatherings when the dining room gets busy.

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