0°C | Thursday November 13, 2025 
18 August 2025
By James Mullan
Le Rooftop has opened in McMahons Point, introducing a mix of Asian cuisines in the former Maa Kin Thai Restaurant site on Blues Point Road. The venue is operated by owner Kate Hwang and head chef Charles Kim, who previously worked together in Sydney’s hospitality sector and decided to go into partnership.
Hwang began her career in radiology before moving into cafés in Burwood and other suburbs, where she met Kim. “McMahons Point has this beautiful balance of local charm and urban edge. We saw the opportunity to bring something special to the area – somewhere where people can meet after work, celebrate, or just discover a new favourite spot,” she said.
The pair noted the relative lack of Chinese, Korean and Japanese options in the area. “People love Thai food. Local people love Asian food as well, so we try to focus on them,” Kim said. Hwang added that their aim was “to introduce to locals and visitors a more playful and bold menu and at the same time a bit more refined and elevated.”
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Signature items include beef bulgogi served on a hot iron pan using Kim’s family recipe and kimchi fried rice with bacon. Dim sum dishes such as bao and pork buns have also been well received, with the Peking duck spring roll emerging as a top seller.
Vegetarian options include Asian mushroom lettuce cups, which Hwang described as “a mushroom version of truffle flavoured Caesar salad,” presented in a way reminiscent of the Korean dish ssambap. Another distinct dish is the truffle potato pancake, made from hand-shredded potato, pan-fried in a donut shape, and topped with truffle mayo, bacon and red onion pickles. “It is like a handmade, extremely crispy hash brown,” Hwang explained.
Seafood selections include kingfish ceviche, octopus with potatoes, scallops and spicy pipis, with all produce sourced fresh from the Sydney Fish Market. An extensive sashimi range is also on the menu.
The restaurant is located in a heritage-listed building with sandstone interiors on the ground floor and bridge views from the covered rooftop above, which accommodates around 60 people for functions. The fit-out combines classic Asian touches with a full-service bar and fireplace.
Kim said that while his background gave the menu a strong Korean influence, he was also interested in developing other cuisines. “Korean food is very hard to make authentic in Australia. Besides, I like learning other cuisines as well,” he said.
Hwang and Kim said they were positioning Le Rooftop to cater to a wide range of occasions, from casual meals to events, with the intent of establishing the venue as a local fixture.