Five of the best Chinese restaurants on the Gold Coast

WE’RE living in the Chinese century so there’s no better time to sample the best of the Gold Coast’s oriental cuisine.

Mr Hizola's whole Fried Fish with Szechuan Chilli Sauce. Picture: Jerad Williams

RELISH roast duck the locals rave about or yum cha with a view, these are five of the best Gold Coast restaurants offering Chinese cuisine, writes Denise Raward.

Mr Hizola’s

3/1730 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads

Mr Hizola’s chef Jon Hizola's and restaurateur Scott Imlach. Picture: Jerad Williams

This buzzing Burleigh eatery has been hosting full houses nearly every night following its opening just three months ago. It seems local restaurateur Scott Imlach, the instigator of Barchino, Nobby’s Arc, Bine, Hideaway Kitchen and Soho Place, has done it again with this contemporary Cantonese eatery. “We’ve been amazed by the response at Burleigh,” Scott says. So far, the house favourites are the flaming wagyu, the Mongolian clay pot beef and the sizzling Mooloolaba prawns, all prepared under the creative guidance of chef Jon Hizola. Keep a look out too for the newly added classic lemon chicken and Sichuan lamb ribs. “We’re putting a few more authentic dishes on and we’ve pared the menu back a little from what we started with,” Scott says. The bar menu includes a mix of classic and inventive cocktails, well-chosen wines, high-end champagnes and a mix of Asian and Australian beer.

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Mr Hizola's wagyu steamed dumplings. Picture: Jerad Williams

Jasmine Room

Sundale, Level 1, 2 Como Cres, Southport

Jasmine Room, in the Sundale precinct in Southport. Pictured Yum Cha. Photo: Steve Holland

With a view over the Broadwater Parklands, Jasmine Room is making its name as a yum cha destination with more than 50 varieties, handmade daily by real Hong Kong chefs and served on trolleys on weekends. It should come as no surprise Hong Kong style barbecue meat features on the menu, including crispy pork belly and char sui, while the roast duck is cooked daily in the special roasting oven. Owner Jacky Cheng also recommends tea-infused pork ribs, nine-plus wagyu beef hot pot and the Xiao long bao, broth-filled steamed bun dumplings.

Dragon Cove

1 Masthead Way, Sanctuary Cove

Xiao Long Bao (Shanghai Pork Dumplings) from Dragon Cove.

Far from being cliche, the Peking duck is the undisputed house specialty at this authentic Chinese restaurant overlooking the Sanctuary Cove marina. The duck is roasted in-house daily and carved at the table. “This is the favourite,” owner Jackie Cheng says. Other popular dishes include the Beijing beef and the Dragon Cove siu mai, or dumplings to occidental types.

One of the delicacies from Dragon Cove restaurant at Sanctuary Cove.

The chefs change their specials regularly to include regional dishes featuring Cantonese, Sichuan and Taiwanese flavours. The Dragon Room sources local ingredients and is strictly MSG-free. “We never take short cuts,” Jacky says.

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Uncle Bill’s Kitchen

Shop 1007B, Australia Fair, Southport

Bao from Uncle Bill's Kitchen, Australia Fair, Southport for Taste, Gold Coast.

Uncle Bill has just marked his 65th birthday but, fear not, the revered food figure has no retirement plans. The unassuming shopping centre restaurant that bears his name is a local institution, particularly in the Chinese community, and serves up the specialties Bill has been perfecting since he started in a Hong Kong kitchen at age 16. The roast duck is the signature dish. “We have people from Sydney and Melbourne who come every time they’re on the Gold Coast,” Bill’s daughter Angelica Lee says.

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Roast duck from Uncle Bill's Kitchen, Australia Fair, Southport

Imperial at the Star

Ground Level, The Star Gold Coast, Broadbeach

Steamed scallops and pumpkin in miso at Imperial at the Star, The Star Gold Coast

The Star is the place to indulge in upscale Chinese cuisine at its white tablecloth finest. The time is right to experience Imperial, with a banquet menu devised by chef Song Yao Su for traditional Chinese mid-autumn festival celebrations. From September 21 to 24, parties of six or more can mark the occasion with lunch or dinner feasts including a bottle of Penfolds 138. Imperial’s regular banquet deals are also the ideal way to savour a snapshot of the sprawling menu.

Mid-autumn banquet dish at Imperial at the Star, The Star Gold Coast