And you just have to experience it to believe it.
And you just have to experience it to believe it.
Now we’re all a sucker for an Asian fusion restaurant and friends, this one has its finger on the pulse of food, drinks, ambience, and totally instagrammable, well, e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g! From the presentation of the dishes to the perfectly executed oriental opulence meets British colonial plantation vibes, Chevron Island’s Fu Manchu Oriental doesn’t miss a beat.
This dual level Lolita combines the best of South East Asia and European cuisines to create a tantalising and flavour-rich experience for intimate date nights, celebrations, corporate and special events. Or just because… which is a good enough reason for us.
First opening in 2016, Fu Manchu has since undergone a stunning makeover to reinvent and reinvigorate the venue. Owner, Malaysian born Melbournian-come-Gold-Coaster Zuraya Hamilton, has created a warmer and more feminine aesthetic, starting with the black London shopfront which welcomes you into a dark and cosy interior.
Upstairs you’ll find a truly breathtaking a la carte dining area, a private dining space for groups of up to ten, and for those spesh soirees or work do’s, a functions space for up to 50 peeps. Here you can immerse yourself in a tropical jungle, with a spectacular wall mural that you’ll take at least four dozen selfies in front of, a lush leafy greenified ceiling, and mesmerising metallic animal print. And let’s not forget the luxury fixtures like chandeliers, which never fail to level up the luxe factor.
If you’re channelling a more casual dining experience with some delish Asian tapas, the Fu Bar has style and swagger for days. Think high tables levelled with the bar so you can see all the cocktail action in play or settle into low set tables in the cool London shop front window space. There’s another eye-catching jungle-esk statement wall with tigers and toucans (which kinda sounds like a cool band name or a cocktail), with oodles more content potential for the ‘gram. And this just in, customers usually order the luscious blue flowered ‘Love you long time’ cocktail because it’s as FUn to say as it is pretty to post!
Speaking of feeds, let’s talk food and the ten outta ten dining experience which will not only please, but broaden the palette. The menu embraces a bold blend of flavours from South East Asia, Europe and South America, and does so with finesse. Let’s start with the Loaded Dumplings, where you can choose the Pork with slow cooked pulled pork shoulder, spring and fried onion crunch pickled chilli, Aburi cheese and Fu’s special mayo, or the Wagyu Beef with marinated Bulgogi beef, pickled chilli, green mustard pickle, Aburi cheese and kimchi mayo. Can’t pick? Neither – get both.
For larger plates, it’s gotta be the Seafood Laksa Lasagne because it marries our two all-time faves (laksa and lasagne), and we are all kinds of here for this union. We’re talking barramundi, prawns, Moreton Bay bug meat and crab in a rich coconut laksa sauce, with Aburi cheese and prawn oil. Or, if the land rather than the sea is calling your name, hook yourself up with Beef Rendang and devour slow cooked tender beef cheek in a mild coconut cream rendang curry with peanuts and sweet potato chips.
If you want to sample the best-of-the-best larger plates, why not opt for a 5-course DegustASIAN set menu (and for once, that’s not us being punny coz that’s what they’re called… #amazing). Shared between two with a meat option, vegetarian option and even a pescatarian option, this will totally eliminate the chance of food FOMO (the worst kind).
The perfect beverage to pair with any of the delicious meals here is a cocktail. Obvs. Featuring GC producers like Winchester Distillery (Arundel), Capricorn Distillery (Burleigh) Ariane Vodka (Gold Coast) and Volando Tequila (Sunshine Coast), we love it when locals support locals. Our picks are the Chilli Margarita with Volando Tequila, chilli infused liquor, fresh lime juice and rimmed with chilli flakes (Hot Hot Hot), the Drunk Monk with Capricorn spiced rum, pineapple and lime, or even the Coconut Espresso Martini with Ariane vodka, Winchester’s chocolate liqueur, coconut cream and an espresso shot. Feeling exotic? Opt for their Singapore Fling featuring the home-grown Gold Coast Gin. Another round please!
So next time you’re looking for a fail-safe triple threat (looks, personality and LAKSA LASAGNE PEOPLE!!!), Fu Manchu is Chevron Island’s secret sauce, and the ultimate IYKYK.
Where: 2/44 Thomas Drive, Chevron Island
When: From 12pm Friday. From 5pm Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Saturday. Closed Tuesday & Sunday.
Words by Bianca Trathen.
STORY SPONSORED BY FU MANCHU ORIENTAL
Hey look, we’re at Chevron Island again with yet another epic eatery bringing us all the tasty treats we love. Fu Manchu Oriental Kitchen are the ones we’re here to discuss and, more specifically, the menu they just released that is sure to knock your socks off.
First of all, if you’ve yet to visit Fu Manchu, you’re doing yourself a great disservice and second of all, when you do go, take us.
Encompassing the (absolutely epic) flavours of South-East Asia, the spring/summer menu is bringing the absolute goods and we suggest you try every single dish we’re about to bring to your attention.
Starting with Beetroot Cured Hiramasa Kingfish with Cucumber Wakame and Zesty Nuoc Cham dressing, because yes please to anything with the word zesty in the title. Same, same to Yellowfin Tuna rolled in sesame seeds and lightly seared with avocado, watercress and wasabi-soy dressing.
Vego friends, you’re covered too. There’s Crispy Eggplant with Sichuan, peanut caramel AND Crispy Tofu (stay with us) with Tamarind chilli jam and fried curry leaves. Taste sensations; don’t even think about missing those two.
Moving on. Crispy Wonton Tacos have their very own section on the menu and for good reason. There’s Slow Braised Beef Brisket (hi, friend) with corn salsa and Manchego cheese ones. Not to mention Pea and Potato Samosas with smoked yoghurt and pickled ocra.
Give us all of the things.
These mouth-watering creations are the work of Chef Richard Manks who brings his Michelin Star training to us lucky little Gold Coasters.
To accompany said epic menu is, of course, an epic drinks list which is made up of all the very best Asian and local craft beers PLUS hand-crafted cocktails that pair beautifully with the dishes and look pretty as a picture too.
Let’s chat about the interior for a bit (this is more of a monologue really isn’t it). Anyway, Fu Manchu is spread over two levels and it’s all sleek and low lit and styled with fancy designer wallpaper that’ll make you feel as though you just stepped into a downtown NYC establishment.
You may go there on a regular evening for date night OR for functions and corporate events, which we highly recommend because we can come too
Please let us come.
LOCATION: 2/44 Thomas Dr, Chevron Island
HOURS: 5pm until 10pm Tuesday and Wednesday and 11.30am until 10pm Thursday to Sunday
STORY SPONSORED BY FU MANCHU ORIENTAL KITCHEN
Japanese food is absolutely heaven sent.
Made up of a myriad of mouthwatering flavours, intricate cooking techniques and perfect presentation, each dish seems more like art than eats but luckily for us, it is both.
Especially in the case of Chevron Island’s new Japanese eatery, Mr Kojima by a man whose dishes you’ve no doubt sampled before now.
That man is Jon Kojima and his culinary expertise has spanned over 30 years.
So yes, he knows what’s up when it comes to preparing a tasty dish.
Now Mr Kojima can be found right in the thick of it on Thomas Drive on Chevron Island with plenty of parking spots and it’s just lovely in general.
The space is long and narrow with wooden slats lining one wall, Japanese-style art at the front and a pretty textured wall behind the bar.
Which is stocked with plenty of sakes and Japanese whisky of course.
The food though is the star of the show and you can dine at both lunch and dinner time with a different menu for each.
At lunch time there’s an array of Bento Boxes to choose from including chicken, beef, seafood and vegetarian varieties plus side dishes like Crispy Prawns, Wagyu Gyoza and Kingfish Carpaccio to name a few.
At dinner time there’s an extensive menu packed with everything from a Raw Bar with everything from Oysters to Beef Tataki, Taco Tartare and Salmon Usuzukuri.
You may then move onto sushi and small dishes like JFC Karaage, Crispy Prawns, Peppered Squid, Yakitori and Scallop and Crab.
Mr Kojima’s main dishes are where the magic happens and you’ll absolutely want to sample eats like Beef Cheek Katsu, Barramundi, Black Cod Miso Yaki and Rib Eye Fillet – along with pretty much everything else.
To drink, the aforementioned sake and Japanese whisky plus cocktails of course.
We’re quite fond of the Pink Geisha with vodka, shochu, strawberry and watermelon and the Imperial Garden with sake, vodka, lime, yuzu, mint and cucumber.
Mr Kojima is the kind of place you’ll want to keep going back to and indeed, it seems the local clientele have returned time and time and time again.
Laidback, friendly and with incredible dishes, what more could you want?
Head in to taste is all for yourself.
LOCATION: 1/62 Thomas Drive, Chevron Island
HOURS: Tuesday to Sunday 11am until 9pm
Words and photos by Kirra Smith
Combining two great ideas into one well-delivered package isn’t the easiest of things to accomplish. But young and confident couple Kane and Jazmin, who are behind Chevron Island’s recently opened Urban World look to have cracked the code! They have themselves a burgeoning streetwear retail store and cafe come dessert bar all in one.
The pair have owned and operated their clothing brand and online store (Urban World) for the last three years, successfully supplying folks with all their staple streetwear and niche/vintage style trainer needs. So, they thought it was about time to bring a physical store to fruition — with the added bonus of some perfectly poured coffee, breaky treats, decadent desserts, and not forgetting a wholly dedicated doggy menu!
Caffeine hits will come via the hard work of local speciality coffee maestros, Silipo from Southport. Take it espresso form or have it whisked up in an iced latte, iced long black or Belgian iced mocha. All of which are a summer dream.
The menu is overflowing with delicious options for breakfast, so be sure you bring an adequately sized hunger. Take on the Breaky Board (for two people), with every possible breakfast item taken care of, and we guarantee you will not walk away hungry. There’s also an assortment of pancakes topped with delectable stuff like Biscoff, Nutella, and caramel and a Breakfast Burrito splitting at the sides with scrambled eggs, halloumi, chorizo and more. Ohh yesss.
Later in the day, diners can grab themselves several Cuban style sandwiches all loaded with salivate-inducing fillings like Spicy Chicken with house slaw and cheese, or a New York Reuben stuffed with pastrami, swiss cheese sauerkraut, and Russian dressing.
And should you feel like something sweeter, the space opens up into a dedicated dessert bar three evenings a week from 6pm-9pm and offers up an array of Americana fused waffles, dessert platters, and shakes: jam-packed with all the good stuff like peanut butter, cookie crumble, and ice cream. Certainly, the kind of treat yo’self things we all crave from time to time.
The collection of shoes and clothing is worth a visit in itself, with hard-to-find limited release kicks like Space Jam Air Force 1’s and clothing labels such as Essentials and Drew House being extremely popular with customers. Having only been open for such a short time, the shop has garnered much attention and popularity amongst fans of good food and urban clothes shopping.
After all, who doesn’t like cracker coffee, divine desserts, and sick streetwear?
When: Tuesday – Sunday 7am – 3pm, Thursday – Saturday 6 – 9pm
Where: 63 Thomas Drive, Chevron Island, Surfers Paradise
Words by Alex Mitcheson.
