Shiro Gelato & Snack is Southport’s new HQ of sweet and savoury Japanese small bites (and licks) you Japaneed to be acquainted with, like now, arigatou gozaimasu.

Perched just a hop skip and a yum from the G’s Southport tram stop, the conveniently positioned new venue is a #snaccident waiting to happen for lucky passersby. For owner Kei Okamoto, a well-placed location was the main priority when selecting the new spot for Shiro Gelato & Snack. His former experience dishing up street food style Japanese eats at markets, combined with head chef Shodai Kawakami’s ten-year culinary expertise is the ultimate matcha made in heaven.

The two-legged fuzzy ball mascot featured throughout the shop’s signage is your subliminal sign to leg it on in to discover the array of treats that await. The interior fit out was handled by the Shiro crew (what can’t they do), with a simply-appointed and welcoming space framed by classic crisp-white subway tiles – while the seductive glow of those house-made gelatos glisten from the cabinet beyond. The intimate, corridor style space offers limited casual seating to lick, sip and savour until the #hanger safely subsides.

For those not familiar with Japanese fare, you might be wondering just want you can expect from the Shiro Gelato & Snack menu. Think authentic light Japanese bites worthy of quashing the most serious of snack attacks (though,  with a couple of Onirigi’s under the belt, you may still feel a lot like rolling on out of there).

The aforementioned savoury specialty Onigiri, is a popular Japanese rice ball lunch and snack dish, as tasty as it is convenient to nom on-the-go. The Shiro offering includes six signature flavours such as a classic salmon and takana, made with Japanese leafy green mustard pickles and spices promising a slightly spicy and tangy flavour. Though we also like the sound of the Negi Miso – Shallots, miso, citrus chilli paste a shal–lot.

For sweet tooths, curb your cravings by sinking your teeth into the beloved jelly-like, traditional Japanese sweet treat that is Warabi Mochi.

Though we’ll never miss an opportunity to gush about gelato (umm hello, we live for this), and the Shiro Gelato & Snack selection of Japanese flavours does not disappoint. Japanese eats enthusiasts will be soy into the Kinako – a roasted soybean flour flavour most commonly compared to peanut butter. Joined by yet more mouth watering contenders such as Black sesame, Matcha white chocolate, miso caramel, and the vegan friendly Yuzu and lemon flavour.

Can’t decide which sweet treat you’re in the mood for? Same. Might we suggest a thinly Mochi-wrapped (and/or topped!) gelato scoop for the ultimate best of both worlds action.

There’s no doubt lucky northern locals will bento-ver backwards to get their Shiro Gelato & Snack fix, while for everyone else this little Southport side quest is a tasty snackrifice well worth taking.

Where: 50 Nerang St, Southport
When: 11:30am–10pm daily

Words by Kellie Leader.
Images by Mathilde Bouby.

Sushi is no doubt a food group (kinda) that is loved by the people. So many varieties, so many tasty flavours, so convenient, reasonably good for you, what’s not to love?

In the interest of bringing a range of food-related articles to your lives, here’s a list of 11 impressive sushi restaurants on the Gold Coast. 

Shogun Japanese Restaurant
A Southport fave, Shogun is both an a la carte and Teppanyaki restaurant and they produce some of the best sushi around. They’ve been around for many a moon and won plenty of awards in that time too. Definitely pay these guys a visit quick smart.
Where: 117 Ferry Road, Southport

Yamagen Japanese Restaurant
With a dedicated sushi bar and some of the best sushi masters around creating the goods, these guys certainly deserve a place here. In exciting news, you can choose to be seated at said sushi bar to watch said masters at work. That is a good time, let us tell you. The food is absolutely top notch and you’ll find yourself returning again and again.
Where: QT Gold Coast, 7 Staghorn Ave, Surfers Paradise

Arakawa
Found amidst the sloping greenery that is RACV Royal Pines Resort, Arakawa is a delightful Japanese venue serving up even more delightful eats in traditional style. The sushi is some of the most intricately hand crafted there is and there’s so much stunning variety on offer. Why not treat yourself to a little spa time while after you’ve sampled the goods. RACV One Spa is perfection.
Where: RACV Royal Pines, Ross St, Benowa

Kiyomi
Found at The Star Gold Coast, Kiyomi is another award winner upping the sushi stakes. Their menu, created by internationally renowned Head Chef Chase Kojima, is modern but traditionally Japanese and includes some of the most intricate and tasty sushi around.
Where: The Star Gold Coast, Casino Drive, Broadbeach

Cha Cha Japanese
Cha Chas, as its affectionately known, is one of the most popular restaurants on the Gold Coast and it has been for many years. The food is tasty, affordable and there’s plenty of it. The place is always packed out, so there’s good vibes aplenty and it’s BYO so that’s always a good time. Plenty of vegan and vego options too.
Where: 6/2705 Gold Coast Highway, Broadbeach

Project Tokyo
One of the most recent of the bunch, Project Tokyo is bringing all the very best Japanese eats to the people of Mermaid Waters. The somewhat hidden gem is not only a delight to behold, it’s also got a menu jam-packed with exceptional dishes and yes (obviously) including a big old plate of sushi. Don’t miss this one.
Where: 10a/90 Markeri St, Mermaid Waters

Itsoshin Japanese Restaurant
A little Mermaid miracle is Itsoshin Japanese. Found on the highway, these guys are serving up the sushi goods among other things. It’s been around for quite a long while, so it’s safe to say they know their stuff. Itsoshin fly in the freshest of seafood from around the world too, so that’s always a tasty time. So popular is this restaurant, there’s Little Itoshin nowadays too, find that one in Miami.
Where: 2484 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach

Etsu Isazkaya
As you well know, Etsu is an all time favourite of ours and with good reason. The food is exceptional and the atmosphere always pumping. Everything is artfully prepared and we have never not fallen in love with a dish we’ve consumed there. Of course, the sushi is out of this world along with everything else.
Where: 2440 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach

Okazu Sushi Bar
Okazu make some serious sushi. Their rolls are larger than your usual and they’ve got a range of tasty flavours to tickle your tastebuds. Head in to sample the lot we say. Grab yourself a bowl of teriyaki while you’re at it because, delicious.
Where: 1/2223 Gold Coast Hwy, Nobby’s Beach (underneath Mexicali)

Oi Izakaya 
One of the latest additions to the Burleigh eating scene, Oi Izakaya quickly became a firm favourite due to their very impressive menu, with a few unique dishes you won’t find anywhere else. Their sushi is of course, the goods too but everything in there is worth eating.
Where: 4/30 James Street, Burleigh Heads

Wazen
A slightly hidden gem in West Burleigh, the quality of the food at Wazen, cannot be overstated. It is just that good. The menu is extensive and we love every single thing on it, but since we’re talking about sushi, grab that goodness to go, or enjoy it outside under the fairy lights.
Where: 1/33 Tallebudgera Creek Road, West Burleigh

Words by Kirra Smith.

We caught up with Katie Kolodinski, the Founder and Creative Director of Silk Laundry, an Australian womenswear label. Known for its elegant staples and timeless ’90s-inspired slip dresses, Silk Laundry mirrors Katie’s considered fashion philosophy. Katie talked to us about her Silk Laundry and her time living and working on the GC, including her years as a Metermaid.

Tell us a little bit about your time as a Gold Coast local.
I moved to the Gold Coast when I was 18 with $800 I had saved up and two suitcases. I won’t say it was easy, but I look back on my life and laugh at myself about many of the choices I made and the places I worked, to make it work.

When I first arrived, I worked at a steakhouse, then was fired because I couldn’t open a bottle of wine properly. After losing my job, I walked every day, all day from Southport (where I was living) to Mermaid Beach and back, trying to figure out my next step.

This led me to keep seeing Gold Coast Metermaids and wondering who they were and what they did. Finally, I gained the courage to ask if they had any job openings as I was desperate to make ends meet. I had an interview the following day, got the job, and ended up “metermaiding” for a couple of years. Which was fun, sometimes embarrassing, but it also gave me courage and strength and the opportunity to connect with so many different people.

I learned a lot about humans during this time. We were also given free lunch at several eateries and free rides on the Sling Shot so I never went hungry while wearing that gold bikini, nor was I ever bored.

For me, the GC was a huge learning curve. It was where I continued and completed my Psychology degree, where I learned to pour a beer, where I had my real first love and long-term relationship and subsequently my biggest breakup. It’s where I brought up my little pug until she passed at 13. It’s where I bought my first home and where Silk Laundry started with my husband. It’s also where my kids were born.

What do you love the most about the Gold Coast?
The sunshine, beach walks, tropical fruits, lizards, Springbrook National Park, feeding the lorikeets at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and some of my oldest and best friends are all there. I love my loved ones there the most of all.

What inspired you to start Silk Laundry?
Silk Laundry began from a combination of personal experiences and a desire to create wardrobe staples missing from my closet that were both comfortable and pragmatic. As a teenager, I developed a penchant for customising old slips sourced from second-hand shops. However, at the time, I struggled to find slips made from natural fibres, as most were made from environmentally harmful materials like polyester or nylon. Frustrated with what was available – I decided to create my own.

Where do you draw your inspiration from?
My inspiration is drawn from a range of sources that reflect my personal values and experiences. Growing up in a family with Eastern European roots instilled a sense of practicality and an aversion to wastefulness. Living in diverse climates—from the blistering cold of Canada to the heat and humidity of Australia, also shaped my approach to clothing design and has inspired the pieces that I design for Silk Laundry; making them functional for a multitude of landscapes.

Travel, books, advocacy work, a deep love for storytelling and a range of other random sources inspire my approach to fashion. Whether it’s drawing inspiration from my teenage years in the ’90s or considering the environmental impact of agricultural farming through the work of J Henry Fair like in our upcoming collection, every decision I make is rooted in a desire to create clothing that sparks conversations about the world around us. Fashion can be a visual way of expressing important messages and advocating for causes close to my heart, which through Silk Laundry, I hope to communicate.

Tell us about the process of creating a Silk Laundry collection.
With every collection, I hope the piece that I am creating will stand the test of time beyond trend cycles.  This typically corresponds to classic silhouettes that can be worn on rotation, stand-alone and complement an already established wardrobe.

Storytelling is one of the other main components behind all of our collections. Each collection is deeply rooted in a range of themes about our world that translates to the prints, styles and colourways. Through Silk Laundry, I’m creating pieces that hopefully make individuals feel good but also items that spark conversations and encourage people to engage with the world around them.

What’s your proudest business moment?
I have many!

• The launch of Project 166 with my husband and our businesses. We have purchased a 1200-acre plot of land that has been destroyed by traditional farming and logging and we will be regenerating the land and planting trees. We will be planting 166,000 trees as our first big goal.
• Our Monarch Butterfly campaign where we have sent out milkweed seeds throughout North America to be planted to help the migration of the Monarch butterfly.
• Our biodegradable garment bags.
• I am proud of the groundwork I have done working with wildlife in South Africa. I am proud of the land regeneration project and charity, Project 166 that my husband and I started together.
• Our first charity slip where we were able to donate $25,000 to Planet Bee Foundation.
• Most of all, I am proud that every day I wake up, keep going and don’t quit.

What kind of person wears Silk Laundry?
I think a lot of different kinds of people wear Silk Laundry. We have professional corporate workers wearing our pieces, creatives like musicians and artists and more men are even gravitating towards the brand now. I think the common thread between our customers is an innate care about the world around us. They see Silk Laundry as meticulously crafted, comfortable and luxurious clothing, but also resonates with our ethos. Our community is comprised of conscientious people endowed with a deep curiosity and a thirst for understanding the intricacies of the world. Through Silk Laundry, I hope to create a space, both online and offline, that reflects our dynamic customer base and fosters openness. Through this, we can embrace new experiences with our community and work towards building a better future.

What’s next for Silk Laundry?
I’m excited to continue my journey of learning and advocacy in the field of conservation. My experiences with Project 166 and my involvement in wildlife conservation efforts have deepened my commitment to protecting our planet. I’m also excited about exploring fresh creative possibilities at Silk Laundry, whether that involves collaborations supporting significant causes or showcasing the talents of local artisans and creators. Ultimately, my vision for the future is to create a more conscious world through fashion and environmental initiatives. I want to leave a positive legacy for future generations and believe fashion can be a powerful vehicle for positive change.

What are your Gold Coast favourites?
Café: Good Day Coffee. I love the coffee, the toasties and their cookies are heaven.
Restaurant: So many places have changed recently that I don’t know anymore. But I do love going to Goccia Italian in Mermaid or Balboa in Palm Beach.
Bar: My home. I have an apartment with a private rooftop so I usually just invite my friends over. We get wines from Flor Grocer or Quince Cellar, some seafood from Tasman Star and just listen to music and play Mölkky
To do: Feeding the lorikeets at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. It’s the ultimate 8am joy!
Beach: Palm Beach as it’s in front of my home and easy to bring my beach umbrella, but I also love going to Tallebudgera Creek where it’s calm, and Bilinga and Kirra are still so special to me.
Place to stay: My apartment in Palm Beach. It is filled with many personal objects and memories from my years in Australia and my travels abroad. We rent it out when we aren’t in Australia on Airbnb. If you ever want to stay there, come find me!