If you like your noods a little bouncy, a little steamy and ready to be devoured with abandon, then get your mind out of the gutter and get ready to wrap your lips around the ultimate udon experience at Jiraiya in Southport.

Adding to the already delicious delights at Australia Fair, Jiraiya is located on the ground floor on Nerang Street. Small and unassuming, step inside and you’ll find yourself in a modern yet minimalist space that lets the food do the talking.

Owner Ryo Igarashi and Chef Yuki Saito have created a noodle nirvana. Saito isn’t just any noodle wizard – he’s a certified Noodle Sommelier (yes, that’s a real thing), and he trained in Japan’s udon capital, Kagawa, no less. The man knows his strands. His bowls are a perfect harmony of chewy, bouncy noodles, umami-rich broths, and toppings that’ll have you coming back for more.

What makes Jiraiya stand out is the self-service style, a choose-your-own-adventure eatery. You start by picking your udon type and size. Feeling classic? Go for the Kake Udon, swimming in a delicate dashi broth. Want something richer? The Curry Udon’s got your back. Or take it up a notch with the Star Udon – kanikama (crab sticks) + udon = chef’s kiss.

Then roll up to the counter, where you become the creative genius behind the dish. Customise your noods by loading them up with your favourite toppings. Tempura eggplant, pumpkin and enoki mushrooms? Yes, please. Rice balls? Oh, absolutely. Then you finish at the register, ready to devour the masterpiece you’ve created. It’s fast, flexible, and most importantly, delicious fun!

Speaking of fun, let’s talk about Bukkake. While it might sound a little… unusual to some, it’s a dish that’s all about bold, umami-rich flavours. Bukkake is a traditional Japanese dish where cold udon noodles are topped with a chilled savoury broth, a refreshing dish for warmer weather. Jiraiya takes the classic up a notch, with Lime,Tofu or Beef bowls. The carefully crafted dish has the perfect mix of carbs, protein and umami, making it not just tasty, but a nutritional powerhouse.

But let’s not forget the real joy of udon – the slurp. At Jiraiya, slurping isn’t just encouraged; it’s practically a rite of passage. In Japan, the louder you slurp, the more you’re appreciating the dish (and honestly, it just makes everything taste better). So don’t hold back – dive in, make some noise, and let those thick, chewy noodles work their magic.

Not feeling noodly? No worries! Rice Bowls will satisfy with drool worthy options like Ginger Grilled Pork, Beef and Curry. And if you’re on the run, seasonal Onigiri is ready to grab and go.

At the end of the day, Jiraiya is all about giving you the power to noodle your way. Quick, delicious, and totally customisable, it’s the perfect pit stop for busy foodies who want something nutritious without noodling around.

When: Monday–Saturday 10am–9pm
Where: Nerang St, Southport

Words by Lisette Drew
Images by Mathilde Bouby

When you’re in the mood to treat the tastebuds to something spesh here on the GC *gestures vaguely at the entirety of our exponentially growing foodie scene* technically every day is our lucky day.

Well, Gold Coasters, we recently scored one more reason to do a big ‘ole first-bite induced happy dance, as street-style Malaysian eats purveyor, PappaRich saunters its way into Pacific Fair’s eats scene.

A modern take on the traditional coffee shops of Malaysia, the Papparich restaurant chain is well known for its colourful and authentic dishes that promise not just a flavour party – but a full blown parade for the mouth.

Savoury staples like silky spiced Curry laksas, fresh roti, rice and fragrant noodle dishes combine with specialties such as Hainan Bread – served doorstop-style with kaya, a traditional coconut jam.

The brand new ‘big Papa’ in Broadbeach’s neck of the woods comes off the back of Pac Fair recently scoring its own Nene Chicken franchise, which just so happens to be a sister brand and next-door neighbourino to the new nosher.

More mysteriously than the ingredients of a simmering pot of secret master stock, we have a man known simply as Archo to thank for bringing us the newest location for punters to sate their Malaysian-style Fish Head Noodle Soup and Char Koay Teow munchies.

Of course for the uninitiated, you may prefer to stick with an order of the franchise’s best selling dishes – the famous Hainanese Steamed Chicken and obligatory plate of Roti Canai – for a guaranteed winner combo.

Though even for those new to the world of Malaysian eats, the delectable melting pot of south-east Asian flavours will be familiar even if the dishes are not – with influences from Chinese, Indian, and Thai cuisines courtesy of Malaysia’s geography… weird, if only we were this motivated to learn about geography at school.

Tucked just off Pac Fair’s open-air The Boulevard precinct, the new 65-seat restaurant is geared towards doling out lunch and dinner fixes with your choice of indoor and outdoor seating to slurp and scoff until heart’s content.

Joining the 80-strong PappaRich chain, in addition to existing Brissy-based franchises, the latest location offers that same, tastebud-exploding experience, sans hike up the highway. Which will always be a win in our books… no matter how many hilarious podcasts we feverishly hoard.

Lucky local diners can now tuck into dim sum dumplings, wok-fried noodles and rice-based specialties, like the Nasi Lemak (coconut rice) with Beef Rendang combo, served with all the trimmings – spicy sambal, cucumber slices, hard boiled eggs, crispy fried anchovies.

All of which can be washed down with a multitude of classic Malaysian concoctions. We’re swooning over the milky and aromatic national drink, Teh Tarik or the refreshing and creamy Coconut Paradise, a coconut juice ice blend with coconut meat and mint. In the current steamy GC climate, it’s hard to go past the icy delights of Mango Mania and Ribena, which offer a little fun in each slurp!

The same can be said for the desserts – an eye-catching array of sago puddings. Whether you go for Caramel and Pandan, both offer the perfect blend of rich flavour and delicate sago pearls that will have your taste buds asking for more! It’s precisely what we need after going a little too hard on the sambal, just between friends.

Where: Pacific Fair Shopping Centre, 2 Hooker Boulevard, Broadbeach
When: 7 days, 11:00am–9:00pm

For nearly a decade of dough-liciousness, 5B2F Bakehouse has been a go-to for Gold Coast locals seeking expertly crafted pastries, crusty sourdough and decadent cakes. Now, the much-loved Chirn Park patisserie has expanded, bringing its signature quality and artistry to Southport with the newly opened 5B2F Ciabatta.

The brainchild of renowned South Korean pastry chef Moonsun Yoo, 5B2F Ciabatta is the product of a lifelong love for baking. Growing up in a family steeped in the craft, Moonsun’s passion for the kitchen bloomed early, inspiring him to train at international hotels. It was during his time as a chef at the Hyatt Seoul that he discovered his true calling as a pastry chef, a specialty that he would bring to our sunny shores, opening his beloved Chirn Park bakehouse in 2016. Driven by a dream of expanding his pastry empire, Moonsun has now made that vision a reality.

Tucked away on Davenport Street, this 5B2F Ciabatta embraces a more streamlined, takeaway concept while still delivering the same level of terrific taste that has defined the 5B2F name. The focus here? The humble yet versatile sourdough ciabatta, transformed into an array of fresh, flavourful sandwiches.

Each day, the bakery turns out a rotating selection of handcrafted ciabatta creations. Tuck into a tangy Reuben with house-made corned beef, sauerkraut, onion and chipotle mayo or the creamy Chicken Sandwich with roasted chicken, sliced apple, brie cheese and chipotle mayo. For something indulgent, the truffle-infused ham and cheese toastie is a standout, with its crispy golden crust and irresistibly gooey centre.

There’s also hearty salads on offer, like the classic Caesar Salad with a generous serving of bacon, egg, cos lettuce, parmesan cheese drizzled with an anchovy dressing.

Of course, no visit to a 5B2F venue would be complete without a sweet treat. The pastry display is stocked with flaky croissants, glossy kouign-amanns, and fruit-studded danishes.

For the tea fans out there, raise your pinkies high for the Earl Grey – a delicate layered delight of earl grey mousse , earl grey ganache and earl grey cream with double baked marble sponge.

Or have your cake and eat it too with the signature Mont Blanc – a work of art in edible form. This masterpiece layers chestnut crèmeux, honey sponge, chocolate tart, chestnut mascarpone cream, with a confit chestnut as the cherry (or chestnut) on top. Pair it with a cup of Allpress Espresso, and you’ll be on cloud nine!

For those looking to celebrate, whole cakes are available daily, with flavours ranging from vanilla chiffon to baked cheesecakes piled high with fresh cream and glistening fruit. You can place custom orders in advance, and these beautifully crafted cakes are sure to rise to any occasion!

With its hot new Southport location, 5B2F is on a roll, raising the bar (and the dough) for artisanal baking on the Gold Coast. Moonsun isn’t loafing around either – he’s cooking up plans to expand even more, starting with opening the upstairs dining space so customers can sit, sip, and savour at their own pace.

Where:  29 Davenport St, Southport
When: Monday – Friday 7am–4pm
Instagram: @5b2fciabatta

Words by Lisette Drew
Images by Mathilde Bouby