New Japanese bar in Nobbys – a “love letter” to izakaya
They walked away from hospitality years ago. Now they’re behind one of the Gold Coast’s most talked about new venues.
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Tucked into the bustling Nobby’s dining strip, a new restaurant is the latest chapter in a love story 15 years in the making.
YORU owners Adam and Jessica Long met more than a decade ago. She was the floor manager, he was the head chef but they dreamt of one day owning their own venue.
“We’ve been talking about food for our whole marriage.
“We’re going back to how we met,” Mr Long said.
Now living on the Gold Coast with kids and careers in IT and nursing, they’ve returned to their roots.
“We’re bringing our experience together to create something that’s authentic.
“It’s a love letter to Japanese–Korean flavours.
“The vision is a back ally izakaya with a Gold Coast soul”.
But he says the twist is the small-plate trend from traditional izakaya is swapped out for larger Korean-inspired dishes.
The couple took over the former Hachi site on the Gold Coast Highway and rebuilt it from the ground up.
YORU – meaning “night” in Japanese – reflects their “moody interiors and late-night food philosophy”.
“It’s not just about the food, it’s the whole experience,” Mr Long said.
The menu includes the now-signature Aburi Taco – torched salmon, kingfish and tuna with mayo in a crispy taco shell.
“It’s probably our most photographed dish,” he said. “There’s a lot of reactions when it hits the table.”
While Mr Long says early weeks have had their challenges, momentum is building.
“We’ve finally started to hit a rhythm.
“We’re seeing locals return every week.”
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Originally published as New Japanese bar in Nobbys – a “love letter” to izakaya
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