Goya Cafe is dishing up traditional comfort food cuisine.
Goya Cafe is dishing up traditional comfort food cuisine.
For ardent lovers of Japanese food, we have ourselves plenty of choices here on the Gold Coast. Sushi is perfect for when you’ve just stepped off the beach, Teppanyaki is an occasion best shared with friends, and ramen is like a warm hug for the soul after a testing day — or week. One newly opened venue hopes to chime in on the well-received Japanese cuisine scene here on the Coast and even bolster it with what they deem missing: Japanese comfort food!
If you’ve marvelled at the Izakayas of Osaka and/or been blown away by the first-rate food scene of Tokyo, you’ll know that Japanese food is, in fact, like an iceberg, and here in Australia, we have merely seen the surface!
Goya Café takes over the once-popular space occupied by Sens Café on the Gold Coast Highway in Broadbeach opposite The Star Gold Coast’s The Darling and offers a diverse menu of Japanese treats which you’d be hard pressed to find anywhere else.
The menu hinges on the creatively delicious sandwich goodness of Sandos and the steamy eggy delectableness of Omurice. These two subsections have a plethora of different flavours and cater for vegetarians and vegans.
Sandos, in a nutshell, are an elevated toasted sandwich of the highest order. You’ll also experience rice flour baked bread which brings a unique softness and an ever so slight sweetness, almost like a brioche, only without the gluten! With multiple fillings such as Angus Beef Tenderloin and Eggplant Tempura & Dashi, you’ll have enough replay value to keep coming back.
The Omurice dishes (translating to egg on rice) provide you with some luscious and gooey egg action, and if you’re quick about it once you get your plate, if you create the right incision, your eggs should fold in on themselves and reveal a soft centre which can almost appear to be moving — delish.
Should you feel the need to wash these tasty treats down — you ought to — there’s a wide range of drinks on offer, including nitro brew coffee, matcha, a black sesame seed protein smoothie and more. For those who feel like something a little stronger, you’ll come across a selection of boutique Japanese whiskies, gins, beers and a small choice of signature cocktails like the Gin-Gum, a white tea and eucalyptus-infused gin all-day sipper!
The venue itself is a breath of fresh air as you step in off the highway; the space oozes Japanese sophistication and simplicity with exposed wood and clean neutral tones throughout. Sit street side or get yourself a booth or table inside and let the space add some zen to your day.
At the moment, Goya is open for breakfast and lunch, but with firm plans on the horizon for dinner services, it shouldn’t be long before Osaka’s swagger, and Tokyo’s charisma will be coming to a dinner booking near you.
Where: 9/2669 Gold Coast Highway, Broadbeach
When: 7am – 2pm Weekdays and 7.30am – 2.30pm Weekends
Words by Alex Mitcheson.
Oh Vietnam and Japan. Besides being two of our favourite Asian vacay destinations, they’re also responsible for two of THE most drool-inducing soupy faves eternally on our to-eat list. Pho and ramen, we salute you, never tire of your slurpy flavoursome goodness and we are getting one helluva craving right now #getinourbellies.
Thankfully, there are several Asian gems right here in our GC ‘hood who can help us get our ‘phomen’ (pho and ramen) fix, so let’s do this – from north to south.
Pho Vietnamese Kitchen
With a name like this, there really is no mistaking what you’re going to find here. With authentic flavours from the Saigon region, it’s the place to stop in when you’re mid-shop and in need of a healthy, yummy energy hit to recharge the batteries. There’s pho-a-plenty, plus other Viet wonders like their scrumptious grilled pork vermicelli noodles salad. Yummo.
Where: Westfield Coomera, 103 Foxwell Road, Coomera or Pacific Fair Shopping Centre, Hooker Boulevard, Broadbeach Waters
Can Tho Kitchen
A northern GC institution, Can Tho Kitchen has it all. Ridiculously delish meals, share platters, awesome service, and a super cool fit out and ambience which one may not expect from a northern GC suburban restaurant. Booking out regularly, people travel from far and wide to experience this husband-and-wife team’s traditional home kitchen recipes. Oh and the cocktails – legendary (and yes, we speak from experience).
Where: 5/465 Oxley Drive, Runaway Bay
Phở Việt (8 Street Harbour Town)
The Harbour Town Eats precinct offers its fair share of high-quality multi-cultural eats, and this is one of their bangers. Fresh, delicious and always consistent, it’s a sure-fire winner every day of the week (literally). The Tofu Pho Noodle Soup is a fave, as is the Combination Pho with rare beef brisket, chicken and beef balls.
Where: 147-189 Brisbane Road, Biggera Waters
Ramen Danbo
If you’re a ramen fan in Southport or Surfers, let us give you some advice; get yourself a hit of Ramen Danbo stat. Their Tonkotsu broth is all time and is the secret base making the ramen so next level lush. But don’t just take our word for it!
Where: Kiosk 8.01, Chop Chop Cavill Lane, 6 Orchid Avenue, Surfers Paradise or Shop 24, Mercato on Ferry, 59-73 Meron Street, Southport
Muso Ramen + Gyoza
Muso is oh-so famous for its ramen and gyoza goodness and is conveniently located in not one, but three suburbs. In other words, there’s really no excuse whatsoever not to chow down and fuel your ramen addiction. Cooked to perfection and nailing all the authentic flavours, it’s the best you’ll try outside of Tokyo.
Where: Shop1/58 Brooke Avenue, Southport or 2b/2484 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach or Shop 4248c “The Kitchens” Robina Town Centre
O-Me-Ly Vietnamese Restaurant
Pho doesn’t get any better than this! A humble fave that has stood the test of time, O-Me-Ly is a long time local hit for darn good reason. The Chicken Rice Noodle Pho is amazing, as are the Rice Paper Rolls which are the pinnacle of fresh, clean eating. Next time in you’re in Broady and channelling an unpretentious feed with flavour-o-plenty, this is the place.
Where: 15-24 Queensland Avenue, Broadbeach
I like ramen
This is legit Australia’s very first plant-based ramen shop, and that in itself deserves a hearty round of applause. The perfect spot for a bowl and brew, founders Bobby and Dom have hatched a vegan beauty here with the tastiest ramen you ever did eat. Also serving up some special Japanese whiskeys, signature cocktails and a range of our natty wines, what’s not to love?
Where: 2251 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach
Goukai Ramen
If you’re fanging for ramen, a rice bowl, karaage, gyoza or a famous Goukai roll, make your way to this Burleigh hot pot spot. Known for their sensational food – and cool staff sporting equally cool baseball caps which BTW, you can buy one too – this hidden gem never disappoints. If you like a bit of spice, here’s the hot (pardon the pun) tip: order the Red Hot Spicy Ramen.
Where: 3/1837 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads
RaRa Ramen
If it’s authentic hand-crafted ramen you want, it’s precisely what you’ll find at RaRa Ramen. With a few RaRa’s getting around NSW, it was high time we northerners were also privy to the jaw-droppingly delicious authentic Japanese flavours. With handmade noodles, broths and some serious know-how on the art of ramen, this one is a must.
Where: 21a/50 James Street, Burleigh Heads
My Saigon Tuckshop
If only our school had a tuckshop like this! Looking for a cheap and REALLY cheerful Vietnamese hit? Call off the search – you’ve found it! My Saigon Tuckshop serves up the best-tasting pho with change left over to sample the other delectable offerings, like their infamous Banh Mi or the food of the moment, Rice Paper Rolls.
Where: 1/45 Taree Street, Burleigh Heads
Words by Bianca Trathen.
