Are you craving a Lunar New Year feast fit for an emperor? Same, and this February, The Star Gold Coast is rolling out the red chopsticks with a host of extra special Asian dishes that’ll have your taste buds dancing. Ushering in the Year of the Dragon with a roar, Mei Wei Dumplings, Uncle Su, and Harvest Buffet are all getting involved.

There’s plenty to feed your eyeballs too, with live entertainment including lion dancers, drummers and much more. Yes, we said lion dancers and trust us, they are fierce. So don’t drag your feet, get yourself down to The Star for all your Lunar New Year action.

Mei Wei Dumplings
We’ve got big fillings for Mei Wei Dumplings all year round, especially when they’re turning on the Lunar New Year charm. Grab your fave +1 and nosh out with an extra special dish for two that’ll have you both breathing fire with delight. The Hot Chilli Crab, accompanied by seasonal vegetables and steamed rice, is a verified masterpiece sure to please the most discerning diner. Available for lunch and dinner, February is a-bao to get a whole lot tastier.

Uncle Su
Uncle Su is always a winner. Everyone’s fave uncle is pulling out all the stops with a specialty Chinese New Year Menu that’s totally wok-ing our world. Don’t be tofu-lish, indulge your taste buds in a dim sum extravaganza that’s so(y) good you’ll totally ditch your NY resolution to cut back.

The Uncle Su enthusiasts amongst us know that their Yum Cha is always wonderful, and the Year of the Dragon edit is next level ‘let’s go’ worthy. Featuring delicacies like Braised Abalone, Fish Maw with dried oyster mushroom in oyster sauce, Deep Fried Coral Trout Filet with scallion sauce and Crispy Pork Belly, you’d be crazy to miss it.

Harvest Buffet
For a buffet experience with extra sizzle, Harvest Buffet is a no-brainer. This Lunar New Year, they’re turning up the heat with an array of palate-pleasing Asian-inspired dishes. From succulent Roasted Duck to sumptuous Singapore Noodles, zesty Sweet and Sour Pork to eggstraordinary Egg Fried Rice, get ready to stuff yourself silly with a selection more extensive than a dragon’s wingspan.

Whether you choose the lunch or dinner timeslot (or both, because two buffet meals are always better than one), you’ll be roaring for seconds, thirds, fourths, and you get the gist.

So, gather your fellow food enthusiasts and savour the Lunar New Year flavour with a celebration that’s off the scales.

To find out more, go here.

Where: The Star Gold Coast, 1 Casino Drive, Broadbeach
When:  Various activations throughout February

Words by Bianca Trathen.

STORY SPONSORED BY THE STAR GOLD COAST

The Star practises the responsible service of alcohol. Guests must be 18 years or over to enter the casino. BET WITH YOUR HEAD, NOT OVER IT.

Stick your hand up if you have a love for Chinese food! And who can blame you, being one of the richest and most diverse collections of foods you can experience — and on any night of the week for that matter! The most important aspects that make Chinese food so enjoyable are the abundant use of lavish and vibrant ingredients, creating diversified colour palettes and aromatic flavours which are impossible not to enjoy.

With a myriad of sub-styles and particular regions of China, all having their specific dishes, it equates to so many options for you, the diner. Therefore, claiming you don’t like Chinese food might imply you merely haven’t given it enough of a chance!

Whether you’re a seasoned Chow Mein fanatic or an amateur Peking Duck lover, our rundown of the best places to find Chinese cuisine on the Gold Coast will arm you with serious options next time you feel like pulling out your chopsticks.

Mr Hizolas
This street-side eatery is an informal affair and right at home on the bustling Gold Coast Highway in Burleigh Heads. The share style menu showcases delicious flavours which can be enjoyed by everyone — no food envy here. The menu is cleverly constructed with the offerings grouped under small dishes, big dishes, dim sum, noodles & rice. So very handy when you need to single out exactly what you are after, especially when your waiter is there with pen in hand! Having difficulty choosing? Choose the Emperor’s Feast and let them take care of it all for you.
Where: 1730 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads

Ally Chow
If you ever needed proof of Nobby Beach’s budding restaurant scene, then Ally Chow is a staple part of that motion. Stylish décor and a delectably distracting drinks list aren’t the final say here; you’ll find a moreish modern twist of Chinese (along with other Asian cuisines) with such plates as the Tempura Moreton Bay Bug Bao and Kingfish Ceviche on Betel Leaf, which are both sure to blow anyone’s tastebuds away.
Where: 2215 Gold Coast Highway, Nobby Beach

Mei Wei Dumplings
It’s no surprise to learn Mei Wei translates to delicious after you’ve taken your first bite at this quick and easy dumpling restaurant. A more straightforward affair than The Imperial, this place packs some seriously incredible flavours. Watch your chefs work their magic through an open-style kitchen before devouring heavenly dumplings. Our pick are the Shao Mai prawn and pork dumplings — or any of their other wok or BBQ dishes for that matter. Plus there’s a scrumptious selection of bubble teas available!
Where: The Star Gold Coast, Broadbeach

Grand Dynasty
Genuine yum cha eats await you at this Broadbeach favourite and you don’t have to wait until later in the day either, as they serve up lunch and dinner five days a week! Settle in and start things off with authentic dishes such as Sang Choy Bow before taking on Pork Spare Ribs with Peking Sauce or a Mongolian Beef Hot Pot. Do yourself a favour, though and save enough space for dessert: Banana fritters and Deep-fried ice cream, anyone? Done and done!
Where: 54 Victoria Avenue, Oasis Shopping Centre, Broadbeach

Yum Cha Cuisine
This award-winning franchise has you and your gang fully taken care of for Chinese delights when you find yourself on the go. With locations at Robina Town Centre, Pacific Fair, and Harbour Town: fuelling yourself up on Cantonese style small plates has never been so easy, and you can be sure it will help you carry on your (very deserved) shopping spree!
Where: Various locations

Hideaway Kitchen & Bar
It’s tough to look past this central Gold Coast venue as not one of the finest go-to places for guaranteed good food and top tipples. Although they are pretty upfront in being an Asian-fusion style restaurant, this doesn’t stop China’s tasty flavours from finding their way onto your plate. Need proof? Look no further than their Duck Breast Pancakes with Canton Sauce or the Szechuan Lamb Zian-Bing dumplings. You’ll thank us later.
Where:  2657 Gold Coast Highway, Broadbeach

Miami Rice
One of the Gold Coast’s most highly revered Chinese restaurants — literally for decades! Ran by father and daughter duo Alan and Shoko Yap, this family business has an extensive collection of regular locals dropping by to be spoilt with mouth-watering Chinese and Malaysian-inspired dishes such as Sambal King Prawns and Malaysian Butter Chicken. So many people can’t be wrong, right?
Where: 2007 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads

Dragon Cove
Situated in Sanctuary Cove’s Marine Village and with marina-side views, Dragon Cove ticks all over the boxes when it comes to an elegant fit-out and refined atmosphere. It doesn’t stop here though. A thoroughly flavour-packed menu has Chinese classics dished up with a side of contemporary style. You MUST try the Teppan Black Pepper Beef – it’s simply incredible. Overall you’ll find a variety of dishes to satisfy any level of hunger and deciding when to drop by shouldn’t be an issue as they serve lunch and dinner six days a week.
Where: 1 Masthead Way, Sanctuary Cove

Words by Alex Mitcheson.