The River Orchid Call to Reserve
To Begin

Starters & Share Plates

San Choy Bow: seasoned mince served in crisp lettuce cups

San Choy Bow

Seasoned mince and finely cut vegetables spooned into crisp iceberg lettuce cups. Light, fresh, and made to share at the start of a banquet.

Crispy spring rolls served with a dipping sauce

Spring Rolls

Golden, crisp pastry filled with seasoned vegetables and meat. A crowd-pleasing opener that suits every age at the table.

Sesame prawn toast, golden and freshly fried

Prawn Toast

Minced prawn spread on bread, coated in sesame seeds, and deep-fried until golden. Rich and satisfying to kick off the meal.

Delicate wontons in a clear aromatic broth

Wonton Soup

Handmade wontons filled with pork and prawn, served in a clear, aromatic broth. A warming start on cooler Hawkesbury evenings.

Steamed dumplings with a folded pleated top

Steamed Dumplings

Pleated dumplings filled with a seasoned pork and vegetable mix, steamed until delicate and served with a light soy dipping sauce.

Sliced barbecue pork char siu on a serving plate

BBQ Pork (Char Siu)

House-glazed barbecue pork, sliced and served with a drizzle of the roasting juices. A Cantonese classic The River Orchid does properly.

From the Sea

Seafood

The River Orchid's seafood selection spans classic Cantonese preparations and live-to-order options. For live mud crab and lobster, call ahead to confirm availability.

Juicy prawns cooked in garlic and butter sauce in a wok

Garlic Prawns

Whole prawns wok-tossed in a fragrant garlic and shallot sauce. Simple, direct, and the kind of dish worth ordering every visit.

Whole steamed fish topped with ginger, shallot, and soy

Whole Steamed Fish

A fresh whole fish steamed Cantonese-style and finished with hot oil, julienned ginger, shallot, and soy. Clean, delicate, and respectful of the ingredient.

Claypot of seafood and silken tofu in a fragrant broth

Seafood & Tofu Claypot

Mixed seafood and silken tofu braised in a claypot with a savoury, lightly spiced broth. Warming and deeply satisfying.

Prawns and scallops in a rich black bean sauce

Prawns in Black Bean Sauce

Prawns stir-fried with fermented black beans, capsicum, and onion in a bold, umami-rich sauce. A Cantonese staple done with care.

Crispy salt and pepper squid with chilli and shallots

Salt & Pepper Squid

Tender squid dusted in a seasoned crust and deep-fried until crisp, then tossed with chilli and shallot. An irresistible share plate.

Freshly cooked lobster presented in a wok with aromatics
Live Seafood

Mud Crab & Lobster

The River Orchid cooks live mud crab and lobster to order. Choose ginger and shallot, black bean, or chilli. Call ahead to confirm what is available on the day.

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The Foundation

Rice & Noodles

Wok-tossed egg fried rice with peas, carrots and spring onions

Special Fried Rice

Wok-tossed jasmine rice with egg, prawn, bbq pork, peas, and spring onion. Smoky, fragrant, and satisfying on its own or as part of a banquet.

Thick Hokkien noodles stir fried with vegetables and sauce

Hokkien Noodles

Thick, chewy noodles wok-tossed with a choice of protein and vegetables in a savoury sauce. A reliable, filling favourite The River Orchid does well.

Wide rice noodles with tender beef in a dark sauce

Beef Ho Fun

Wide, silky rice noodles stir-fried with tender beef and bean shoots in a savoury soy sauce. A Cantonese noodle classic done with proper wok heat.

Singapore noodles: thin rice vermicelli with curry, prawns and vegetables

Singapore Noodles

Thin rice vermicelli wok-tossed with curry powder, prawn, bbq pork, egg, and vegetables. Fragrant, lightly spiced, and endlessly popular.

Smooth rice congee in a bowl with garnishes

Congee

Slow-cooked rice porridge served with your choice of accompaniments. Comforting, gentle, and a genuine taste of Chinese home cooking.

A bowl of steamed jasmine rice, fluffy and fragrant

Steamed Jasmine Rice

Fragrant, fluffy jasmine rice steamed to order. The quiet backbone of any shared meal at The River Orchid.

Ready to Book Your Table?

The River Orchid welcomes walk-ins, but a quick call ahead is appreciated for larger groups, special occasions, and live seafood requests. The River Orchid is open Tuesday through Sunday for lunch and dinner.

MondayClosed
Tuesday11:30 am–2:30 pm, 5–9 pm
Wednesday11:30 am–2:30 pm, 5–9 pm
Thursday11:30 am–2:30 pm, 5–9 pm
Friday11:30 am–2:30 pm, 5–9:30 pm
Saturday11:30 am–2:30 pm, 5–9:30 pm
Sunday11:30 am–2:30 pm, 5–9 pm
(02) 4571 3238 Get Directions
A beautifully set table ready for guests at The River Orchid