Our ‘most authentic’ Asian precinct opens
A MINIATURE China Town opens in Surfers Paradise today, featuring the Coast’s “most authentic” Asian street food precinct.
Chop Chop has transformed an old retail section of Cavill Lane into a hawker-style Shanghai marketplace with lantern-lined laneways to transport diners to Asia.
Fourteen food outlets will open, selling ramen, dumplings and pad thai. There are communal tables in the centre along with a fully licensed Asian-fusion bar, Bangla Road, complete with cocktail menu.
The chief operating officer of property development partner Denwol, Harold Kopelowitz, is behind Chop Chop and said the area would offer something new for the Gold Coast.
“We wanted to make it more than somewhere to just come to eat, we wanted to make it an immersive experience,” he said. “It’s not just food, we’re also looking for a karaoke bar for upstairs, so it’s a place where Asians can feel at home but equally locals can have a great time.”
The focus is affordable, quality food with plates generally $10-$14.
Some of the businesses have been operating since late last year but the full centre will be open to the public this weekend, with an assortment of Vietnamese, Japanese, Thai, Balinese and Indian flavours.
Tomorrow’s launch, between 12pm-8pm, will feature free entertainment.
Diners can browse the food, or opt for a $35 degustation menu with micro-cocktails for opening night. The precinct will operate from 10am until late seven days a week.