Susumu Fusion Cuisine of Bargara offers traditional Japanese menu

A new Bargara restaurant is offering an elevated Japanese menu to those looking for authentic, traditional Asian cuisine close to the beach.

Yunnie Lee has opened a new Japanese restaurant Susumu Fusion Cuisine. These are just some of the meals on the menu: (from left) matcha ice cream and waffles with red beans, mix seafood soba soup and a range of fresh sea food.

A new up-scale dining experience with traditional Japanese influences has opened in Bargara.

Susumu Fusion Cuisine of Bargara launched with a soft opening in March 2024, with co-owner Yunnie Lee saying the community response had already been terrific.

Ms Lee, working with her experienced head chef Jack Lum, has created a classical restaurant with authentic Japanese recipes, all made with imported Japanese ingredients3. from the soy sauce to the cooking wine.

Despite the dedication to the menu, with head chef Lum often scouring local grocery stores looking for the freshest ingredients, the co-owners say the secret to their blooming success is cooking with heart.

“We cook from the heart, and we prepare everything as though we were making it for our own family or a close friend,” Mr Lum said.

While it’s clear the co-owners have a passion for customer service, their experience and dedication to their craft has reportedly left locals thrilled by the new restaurant.

Mr Lum has more than two decades of experience within the Asian cuisine industry and has spent decades travelling the globe perfecting his craft.

He expressed an incredible pride at being able to offer traditional dishes to the Bundaberg public, and said in the past such a bold enterprise may not have succeeded, but changing palates and a growing desire to connect with traditional methods has bolstered the menu’s success.

Beyond the menu, the co-owners also take the time to educate their staff on the traditional cooking practises on display, and said they will always support any staff who want to move on and open their own restaurants.

“We treat our staff like family, and they have followed us from our other restaurants,” Ms Lee said.

“We are very keen to support our staff, and if they get the chance to open their own restaurant we will continue to support them.”

Those attending the restaurant would see this skill on clear display, through the artful creation of the restaurants signature dish; susumu tori karaage and through the creation of tempura flowers.

The restaurant at 6/15 See Street, Bargara is currently open Monday to Saturday from 5pm to 8pm, however the pair are already looking towards the future.

If timing allows, the restaurant will soon offer a traditional breakfast, brunch and lunch menu combining traditional Japanese breakfast meals with Aussie favourites.