It amazes me how interior designers are able to integrate alluring spaces into the most unsuspecting areas. Spice Temple’s inconspicuous entrance – a hologram-like doorway tucked into a crevice to the side of Rockpool’s grand façade on Hunter Street – is a case in point.

Everyone’s favourite Asian bun is filled with moist strands of poached chicken inside an elongated bao. While the bun is not as light or fluffy as some other versions, the cucumber and tomato pickle adds a welcoming sour zing. It’s easy to tuck into without falling apart or spilling everywhere. As this was the only non-chilli bao on the menu, the flavours were clean and fresh, although the tempting roast pork belly and chilli paste and prawn with XO and pickle options are a must try for next time.

Luscious chunks of spanner crab are tossed with tiny slivers of lup yuk (Chinese preserved pork – think Chinese-style bacon), savoury, hot chilli and sweet leek, leaking a fluorescent, spicy orange sauce which is perfect for mopping up with jasmine rice. The dish combines salty, umami and luxury in one dish that is all textures and bold flavours. Of course, the addition of highly-priced crab bumps up the price a bit, but there is a generous amount of it tossed with the fatty, salty lup yuk.

Sweet, fresh baby bok choy is stir fried with garlic and squares of bamboo pith. The greens retain a good crunch, but it’s the bamboo pith that interests us – it’s texture is spongy, and the way that it soaks up all the flavours of the sauce reminds us of soft, deep-fried tofu sheets.

Unctuous cubes of beef are stir-fried to an alluring brown, with bits of caramelisation on the outside, while biting into it reveals a slightly pink, moist meat. It’s wonderfully tender, along with crunchy, sweet onion and ribbons of spring onion. It’s salty and sweet, but the cumin flavour is not very noticeable, although a degree of depth is added by the fermented chilli, which isn’t too spicy.

These larger, main style options, as well as many other items on the menu, are best enjoyed as share dishes so that one is able to sample as much as they can from the delicious menu. Although considerably higher priced than many other Chinese restaurants, dining at Spice Temple provides a warming, delicious experience that delivers spice and chilli in a myriad of flavours and textures if you’re prepared to pay that little bit extra.