Yoru fires up Korean-Japanese fusion in Nobby Beach.
Yoru fires up Korean-Japanese fusion in Nobby Beach.
You know you’re in for something special when a love story simmers for 15 years and ends up plated on the Gold Coast. Adam and Jessica Long are the culinary couple behind Yoru, Nobby Beach’s newest night-time darling serving up Korean-Japanese fusion with a whole lot of heart.
Their story starts in Sydney’s bustling restaurant scene, where fate (and food) brought them together. That shared passion for nosh turned into romance, and soon Adam found himself not only falling for Jessica, but for the flavours of her Korean heritage. What followed was a whirlwind of cooking, creating and cross-cultural flavour-chasing that would eventually lead them north, from Bondi to the Goldie, to build a dream restaurant from scratch.
Yoru, which translates to “night” in Japanese, stands out proud with a pink neon sign above the foodie strip of Nobby Beach (which, let’s face it, is quickly becoming the foodie crown of the Gold Coast). Jessica, the design brain behind the space, has blended the hustle of Tokyo’s Izakaya culture with the charm of Seoul’s side-street dining into Yoru.
The result is a space that feels both transportive and local, like your favourite laneway dive just got a glow-up. Think colourful roadside grills, open kitchen, bar seating, bar tables to people-watch and banquet tables made for long, laughter-filled dinners.
Adam runs the kitchen with his background spanning Sydney’s oyster bars, modern Italian joints and fine dining stalwarts, but it’s his global travels that really seasoned his skills. From Southeast Asia to Europe, and even into the heart of India where he helped cook for thousands in charity kitchens, Adam learned that food isn’t just about taste, it’s about bringing people together.
It’s that philosophy that infuses every dish at Yoru.
Sashimi glistens like sea glass, with a premium selection of fresh salmon, tuna, kingfish, and scallop, expertly sliced and served with a side of freshly grated daikon. It would be rude not to share.
Starters include Aburi Taco packed with a trio of salmon, kingfish, tuna and mayo, seared aburi-style in a crispy taco shell. And who can go past Korean Fried Chicken? Not us! Dress it up with your choice of honey soy garlic sauce, sweet-spicy gochujang, extra spicy-hot, or lightly seasoned with sea salt.
Noods are next-level delish, with bowls of chewy udon swimming in umami-rich broth that will warm you up quicker than a yakitori grill on full flame.
Speaking of flame-licked fare, the skewers are perfectly charred and juicy, like Charcoal Grilled Wagyu Beef & Garlic Sprout and the Yaki Corn Rib.
Dishes pair oh-so-lovely with Yoru’s curated wine list and cocktails. If you only order one drink, we recommend the Violet Geisha – a colour-changing Japanese whisky sour infused with Asian pear and butterfly pea flower, finished with a gold shimmer. Yoru so fancy.
Where: Shop 1B 2249 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach
When: Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday 5pm–10pm, Thursday and Saturday: 5pm–12am
Words by Lisette Drew
Images by Kirra Smith