Sharpen your chopsticks, Gold Coast! Mamasan is back, and it’s serving a whole new tasty chapter! After ten years of dishing up dumpling dreams and wok-tossed wonders, the Broadbeach institution has reopened this month with a fresh look, a new Executive Chef and a menu that’s set to bao-wow locals all over again.

Marking their milestone 10th anniversary, the Mamasan team has gone full banquet mode. Think sleek, moody interiors with subtle, timeless details that make every corner feel like the perfect setting for a culinary love affair.

The expansion has opened up an intimate ten-seat private dining room for those nights when you want an exclusive eating experience, plus a transformable space that can host 30 to 40 guests. Talk about host with the most.

The fortune in this cookie is Executive Chef Sebastian Tan. With more than 18 years of experience, he has cooked his way across continents from Hakkasan at The St. Regis Al Mouj Muscat to Silks and JINJA in Sydney. In 2023, he even took home gold at the World Master Chefs Competition for Cantonese Cuisine. You may have tasted Chef Tan’s dishes at Mamasan’s spicy little sister restaurant in Nobby Beach, BabyMama. Now, he’s bringing his world-class talent to the OG.

Mamasan’s new menu promises to be a flavour journey through East Asia. From the street-side grills of Seoul and the lantern-lit streets of Tokyo, Mamasan will blend authentic traditions for modern palettes.

Expect show-stoppers (thanks to their brand-new dry-age cabinet!) like Three Day Dry-Aged Whole Duck, infused with chinese five spice, aromatic herbs, and signature marinade, roasted with crisp skin and served with pancakes, cucumber, scallions and a duo of sweet hoisin and plum sauces

Seafood lovers can dive into Yellowfin Tuna Taco, ginger ponzu, ikura, pink pepper mayo and nori as well as Hong Kong style ‘Typhoon Shelter’  Eastern Lobster with chilli garlic crumb and umami butter.

But don’t fret, loyal diners, your favourite dishes aren’t going anywhere. The legendary Spanner Crab Tortellini Dumplings, Korean Fried Chicken Ribs and Hervey Bay Scallop and Prawn Toast will be tantalising your tastebuds all over again. It’s the perfect balance of new flame and old flame.

For the adventurous (or indecisive), Mamasan’s banquet menu from $88 per person offers a eight-plate or more journey, showcasing the chef’s finest selections.

Sip on cocktails that are as artful as the dishes themselves like the Jade Garden, a fresh and botanical blend of Belvedere, shochu, nashi pear sake, aloe, yuzu and soda, or the Red Lantern, a floral and fruity mix of Bombay Dry, umeshu, chrysanthemum, lemon, raspberry and whites.

“We want this new chapter to feel both familiar and elevated,” said co-founder Lauren Duitsch. “From the interiors to the menu, every detail has been carefully reimagined with our guests in mind.”

In other words, it’s still your Mamasan, just with a little extra sizzle.

Where: 3 Oracle Bvd, Broadbeach
When: Daily, 12pm–10pm

Words by Lisette Drew

If there’s one thing we love, it’s taking the whole family out for dinner and knowing everyone, young and old, will find something truly delicious.

Nestled in the heart of Southport, Yi Dynasty Korean BBQ & Hot Pot is a warm and welcoming dining destination that has become a beloved meeting point for families, friends, students and curious food lovers seeking a taste of Korea.

Yi Dynasty’s story begins with owner and head chef Sidney Kim, whose culinary roots run deep through the flavours of Jeonju, Korea’s UNESCO-recognised food capital and the birthplace of premium bibimbap. Professionally trained in Australia and having cooked her way through Korean, Japanese, Chinese and multicultural cuisines, Sidney blends traditional dishes with comfort food from her childhood.

Inside, Yi Dynasty is designed to feel like a Korean home. Its interiors blend modern Korean aesthetics with the simplicity of Hanok architecture, using natural woods, soft lighting and clean lines to create a calm vibe.

The restaurant’s vast menu of hot pot, BBQ, soups and street-food favourites means every guest, from grandparents to toddlers, will find something to love. Korean-style hot pot is one of the biggest drawcards, a healthy, family-friendly feast brimming with fresh vegetables, noodles, tofu, meats and seafood. There are even vegetarian and vegan-friendly combinations for those who prefer a plant-based pot.

Let’s start with Sidney’s signature Wagyu Tartare Bibimbap, with tender Wagyu beef mixed with Korean-style rice and vegetables. Then delight in nourishing hot soups and stews, like the popular Spicy Soft Tofu Soup with assorted seafood, vegetables, pork and gooey egg.

For the kids (and let’s be honest, the adults too), there are crowd-pleasers like sweet soy chicken, cheese buldak, tteokbokki, udon and the ever-loved Korean fried chicken. Yi Dynasty is also a favourite amongst nearby students, who flock in for tasty, affordable meals between classes.

But the ultimate meal at Yi Dynasty is the tableside BBQ. There’s nothing quite like cooking a meal together that brings everyone closer, Korean BBQ culture is all about sharing, chatting and sizzling your way through a good time.

Never been to a Korean BBQ? Allow us to grill you in. At the centre of every table sits a premium cast-iron grill, a feature that sets Yi Dynasty apart from standard K-BBQ venues. These high-quality grills retain high heat, lock in juices and create deeper, richer flavours that make every bite unforgettable.

Rally your crew and feast on premium BBQ cuts, from wagyu brisket and marinated ribs to pork belly and spicy pork bulgogi, that you can cook to your liking. Alongside your feast comes an array of signature side dishes: house-made kimchi, crisp lettuce wraps, pickled onions and fresh daily banchan that complete the Yi Dynasty experience.

To wash it all down, there is an impressive lineup of Korean soju, beer and playful signature drinks like Ground Pear and Blue Lemonade.

Yi Dynasty is also well-loved by tour groups and large gatherings, with bookings for 20–50 people welcome. Its location makes it a convenient stop for travellers exploring the Gold Coast, just a quick trip from Movie World, Sea World, Surfers Paradise and other major attractions. Being close to public transport and just steps from three-hour free parking at Southport Central doesn’t hurt either.

At its heart, Yi Dynasty aims to become a multigenerational Korean dining brand, a place where families return year after year. As Chef Sidney puts it, the philosophy is simple: serve honest flavours, high-quality ingredients and warm hospitality that makes every guest feel at home.

Where: 3004-3005/9 Lawson St, Southport
When: Daily, 11am–2:30pm, 5pm–10pm

Words by Lisette Drew

STORY SPONSORED BY YI DYNASTY KOREAN BBQ & HOT POT

If your winter eating habits have recently consisted of couch noodles, regrettable Uber Eats choices, and three-day slow-cooker leftovers, it might be time to upgrade your tastebuds to the nth degree. And by ‘nth’, we mean the ultimate ‘n’om-worthy.

This icon needs no introduction, but we’re talking about T’ang Court at The Langham Gold Coast. A multi-award winner that embraces the essence of Cantonese cuisine, it’s now serving up a bold new menu that blends traditional Southern Chinese roots with premium local produce and regional influences, thanks to the culinary genius of Chef Zephyr Yip.

As always, T’ang Court is dishing out a glorious menu with a winter-special reboot that’s equal parts tradition, innovation, and absolute flavour firepower. For a limited time, you can experience the Chef’s Classic Tasting Menu – a six-course banquet for just $95 per person (usually $125). Cue local (and tourist!) fine eats fan hysteria.

If you know anything about this Cantonese cuisine juggernaut, you’ll know this is a steal, delivering the kind of foodie finesse that makes your fave local Chinese restaurant feel like a poor cousin. Disclaimer: we love a good local Chinese joint, but this place hits different every night of the week, well, Thursday to Monday, to be precise.

At the helm is Chef Zephyr Yip, a gastronomic guru bringing over 20 years of culinary kung fu to the kitchen. With everything from handcrafted dim sum to show-stopping Chinese barbecue and wok-tossed wonders, he’s basically the Bruce Lee of flavour.

Chef Yip’s mission is to honour T’ang Court’s deeply rooted Cantonese heritage while giving it a fresh, innovative, and local twist. Think sophisticated flavours, meticulously plated dishes, and produce so premium it might ask you to call it sir. And you’ll oblige.

While some signature favourites like the iconic Aged Peking Duck and Live Seafood Selections are staying put on the much-loved menu, there are plenty of shiny new additions making their debut.

For example, the dedicated Cantonese Barbeque section is bound to turn even the most devoted tofu-lover into a BBQ believer, or the much-requested return of the Dim Sum menu. Plus, salivate over regionally inspired stunners like Pork Xiao Long Bao that burst with joy (and soup – how good is soup), and Marinated Pearl Meat that tastes as luxurious as it sounds.

The ambience is equally showstopping, located in The Langham – a.k.a. the Gold Coast’s official HQ for all-things-elegant, with a dining room oozing luxe and complete serenity. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion, trying to impress a date who appreciates world-class food (spoiler alert – they’ll be impressed), or just wanting to feel a little posh, this is THE place.

And of course, if you’d rather freestyle and venture outside a set menu, you can still do that!

Your chopsticks – and your five-star-foodie self (or date….) – are waiting.

Where: Level 3, The Langham Gold Coast, 38 Old Burleigh Road, Surfers Paradise
When: 5.30pm onwards, Thursday to Monday. 

Words by Bianca Trathen