Savour sashimi and sushi at these must-try Japanese restaurants on the Gold Coast
From high-end dining spaces serving intricate sashimi dishes to bustling yakitori bars and hidden gems pumping out mouth-watering karaage in the backstreets of the ‘burbs, us Gold Coast folk are pretty spoilt when it comes to Japanese eats. In honour of one of our all-time favourite cuisines, we put together a handy list of must-try Japanese restaurants and eateries on the coast. Kanpai!
Etsu Izakaya, Mermaid Beach: When a restaurant has no need for a sign out the front, you can generally assume that great things lie within. This traditional Japanese izakaya den is a favourite among locals, effortlessly combining its eclectic interior and bustling atmosphere with its renowned contemporary izakaya-style menu (sharing is caring) and noteworthy bar offering. This is a must-try.
Kiyomi, Broadbeach: Located at The Star Gold Coast, cutting-edge dining space Kiyomi serves an innovative yet distinctly Japanese menu, with a suite of unique, exciting and surprising dishes. Kiyomi’s bar is equipped with a fine collection of top-flight sake and Japanese whisky, served alongside a refined-yet-inventive cocktail offering.
Anekawa, Mudgeeraba: Anekawa is owned and operated by Japanese chef Koki Anekawa, who set out to create a culinary concept that applies traditional techniques from his hometown of Saga (a prefecture in Japan’s south) to ethically sourced local and Australian produce. Nestled in Mudgeeraba Village, Anekawa’s menu is constantly changing, covering small plates, raw delights, mains and a series of clay-pot rice dishes. The bar is also stacked with a quality selection of sake and wine.
Yamagen, Surfers Paradise: Spend the night at Yamagen and you’ll be transported into the bustling backstreets of downtown Tokyo. Much like the impressive interior, the food also blends old-school traditions with innovative culinary techniques – it’s designed to be true to taste, but not necessarily true to format. There’s also a pretty sensational collection of sake and whisky, for your sipping pleasure.
Roji Cat, Miami: Any venue that boasts the tag line ‘very much beer and karaoke’ has our attention. Located on Lemana Lane, Roji Cat Beer Bar is a vibrant fusion of Japanese street culture and Gold Coast nightlife. The kitchen pumps out eats like karaage chicken, kimchi burgers and perfectly grilled robata skewers of chicken, beef, pork and teriyaki salmon. Behind the bar, there’s a raft of house-made beers on tap, Japanese-style cocktails like umeshu iced tea and 20-plus sakes to choose from.
Goto Restaurant, Southport: Seeking sensational sashimi? Take a seat here and settle in for some of the most authentic Japanese eats in town. Fresh and colourful sashimi platters and intricate sushi creations feature heavily on the menu, alongside smaller bites like agedashi tofu and authentic udon noodles. Champon noodles, the regional dish of Nagasaki that is regarded as ramen’s healthier cousin, is also the hero here, while diners seeking familiarity will find it in the donburi (rice bowl) offerings, which are topped with the likes of sweet-soy braised pork, karaage chicken and katsu curry.
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One Eighty, Labrador: Taking notes from high-end yakitori establishments in Tokyo, One Eighty combines traditional techniques with modern creativity to delight diners with an authentic and immersive eating experience. Diners at One Eighty are treated to an omakase-style menu, which places your yakitori adventure in the very skilled hands of head chef Akihiro Kitade. There are two daily menus to choose from – a general and a premium – both centred around delicately skewered chicken and vegetables, grilled to perfection over charcoal.
Beun Modern Japanese, Mermaid Waters: As the old adage goes, you should never judge a book by its cover and Beun Modern Japanese is proof. Beun boasts some serious culinary credentials with chef Yusuke Ito (ex Restaurant Ten and Iku Yakitori Bar) creating a modern Japanese menu that fuses ingredients and cooking methods from Japan, Italy and France whilst honouring the heart and traditions of his homeland.
Masu Izakaya, Burleigh: For five-star sushi and stellar sashimi, you can’t look past Masu, which is restaurant number three for esteemed chef Jon Hizola, who also owns Mr Kojima on Chevron Island and Alamat Gold Coast in Southport. While there are a handful of few sushi options gracing the menu, diners here are encouraged to ‘ask the chef’ using the ingredients in the cabinet. There’s also a series of small dishes of Japanese classics including tempura bay bugs, scallop batayaki, wagyu with kinoko butter, teriyaki with your choice of protein and melt-in-your-mouth pork ribs.
Wazen, Tallebudgera: For traditional Japanese with a modern twist, you can’t go past Wazen. From its casual digs nestled along Tallebudgera Creek Road, Wazen serves a flavour-packed menu ranging from fresh sashimi and sushi through to katsu, karaage, teriyaki and spicy miso dishes, using only free-range chicken, local fish and organic vegetables.
Itoshin, Mermaid Beach: Longstanding eatery Itoshin (or, as the locals call it, Big Itoshin) is the go-to for truly authentic fare including sashimi, tempura, teriyaki, hot pots and more. In a nutshell, if you set your standards high, you’re in good company with Yusuke, who took over the family business when his father retired four years ago. Perfect for intimate date nights through to large groups and family gatherings. Oh, and Itoshin is licensed but accepts BYO wine.
Little Itoshin, Miami: Tucked in the backstreets of Miami, Little Itoshin is the offspring of the aforementioned Itoshin. The pint-sized venue is a little more contemporary while retaining its authenticity. Ideally suited to couples and small groups, Little Itoshin is licensed (no BYO). Hibiki, the younger brother, left Itoshin Mermaid in 2018 to create his own hole-in-the-wall venue that retained the Itoshin name and some of the recipes to carry on the family legacy.
Oi Izakaya, Burleigh Heads: If you’re a fan of traditional Japanese bites like okonomiyaki, gyoza and sushi, then Oi Izakaya will be right up your alley. Nestled in James Street, the personality-packed dining spot gives a nod to the bustling izakayas of Tokyo and beyond, with an open kitchen putting the chefs in full view of diners. You’ll find over 100 whiskies, mainly Japanese, sake to sit, as well as a curated range of Japanese-inspired cocktails.
Mr Kojima, Chevron Island: Mr Kojima is the handiwork of celebrated chef Jon Hizola (who has previously helmed the kitchens at many of the city’s esteemed Asian-fusion restaurants) and dishes up a modern take on traditional Japanese fare. The tuna tartare with crispy rice and zingy wasabi soy dipping sauce is the perfect starter, and the beef-cheek katsu with Japanese curry sauce is a must-try.
Bistro Lamp, Mermaid Beach: Bistro Lamp is continuing its rich 20-year-plus history on the Gold Coast from its latest iteration in Mermaid Beach. Here you’ll find a menu that offers a unique take on traditional flavours, with share plates like handmade prawn gyoza swimming in a fiery coconut-chilli sauce, free-range pork-belly kakuni with mustard mayo, and truffle-infused linguine tossed with black truffle and a soy-butter sauce.
Kira Kira, Kirra: Located just metres from Kirra’s beachfront, this casual eatery serves classic sushi rolls and specialty hand rolls, alongside a delicious menu of bento boxes, don buri rice bowls, raw bowls and bubble tea. Pair your meal with snacks like handmade gyoza, edamame, delicious karaage chicken and hot miso soup.
Kemuri, Carrara: This is the epitome of a hidden gem. From its quaint digs on Pappas Way, Kemuri dishes up a suite of delightful eats like tempura soft-shell prawns, handmade gyoza, pillow-soft bao buns with fillings like braised pork belly miso, and delicious bowls of Tokyo soy ramen. There’s also a fine collection of Japanese sips like sake, whisky and beer. Kemuri is the handiwork of ex-Paper Daisy sommelier Hiroyuki (Hiro) Okubo, so expect to see some top-notch wines on rotation, too.
Cafoo Izakaya, Palm Beach: Sashimi fiends are in good hands at Cafoo Izakaya, with a series of intricate arrangements of trawler-fresh tuna and salmon to start, alongside plates like kingfish collar in burnt-butter soy, and mixed seafood ceviche with scallops, salmon, tuna and kingfish in a yuzu-soy vinaigrette.
Izakaya Midori, Reedy Creek: This is the coast’s first-ever all-vegan Japanese restaurant. Located in Reedy Creek, the quaint neighbourhood izakaya dishes up an eye-catching menu of Japanese favourites, from ramen to katsu, karaage curries and gyoza – all creatively reimagined with vegetables and plant-based seafood.
Hachi, Nobby Beach: This longstanding eatery is known for serving all of your Japanese favourites in a fun and friendly atmosphere. Start with an ice-cold Suntory then get stuck into everything from made-to-order sushi, okonomiyaki, sashimi, tempura everything, udon noodles and go-to hot dishes like teriyaki chicken and Japanese steak with homemade sauce. If you haven’t eaten the karaage curry here, you haven’t lived.
Harajuku Gyoza, Broadbeach: Harajuku Gyoza Beer Stadium in Broadbeach is your place to party! With Yoyogi brewing co’s brewery onsite pouring fresh Japanese craft beer which goes perfectly with Japanese dumplings, Karaage fried chicken, and izakaya sharing dishes. Fun fact – the sake comes with a side of theatrics (go ahead and order some, you’ll see what we mean!).
Zipang, Currumbin: This gem is incredibly popular with southern locals. It’s tucked along Currumbin Creek Road and you’ll find a wide variety of share-style dishes from gyoza to sesame-crusted salmon, sashimi, beef tataki, katsu curries, hot pots and more. There’s always a killer specials menu on offer, too – helloooo salmon karaage.
Honourable mentions: This list is really just scratching the surface! We meant it when we said we’re spoilt for choice. Tuck into takeaway okonomiyaki or a poke bowl at Okazu Sushi Bar, pull up a seat at Kabachi-Ya in Labrador, and Izakaya Umakamon in Surfers Paradise.