There’s a certain level of groundswell that occurs when restaurateurs Scott Imlach and Simone Tunbridge open a new venture on the Gold Coast. To describe the groundswell as loud would be inaccurate. Resounding would suit. Perhaps even deafening.
The brains behind a plethora of top Gold Coast institutions including Bine Bar & Dining, Hideaway Kitchen & Bar, Nightjar, Precinct Brewing, Tank Bar & Dining and Nightcap, Imlach Hospitality Group have a knack for creating venues that become Gold Coast dining stalwarts. If you haven’t heard the name Okawari House yet, remember it, because you’re about to be hearing a whole lot about it.
Commanding the highly-coveted corner spot on the northern Nobby Beach strip, Okawari House has taken over the space formerly occupied by i like ramen and it’s certainly hard to miss. A white and red neon sign shines out like a beacon to hungry patrons careening along the Gold Coast Highway, enticing them into this modern Japanese restaurant.
Venture inside the black-hued venue and the first thing that catches your eye is the Shinjuku-esque neon dining signs that hang from above, transporting you to the bustling streets of Tokyo. Paper lanterns and cherry blossom umbrellas also delicately dangle, perhaps a subtle reflection of the dichotomies in Japanese culture.
Look a little closer and you’ll notice distinctive details that mark Okawari as an Imlach venture. Colourful graffiti adorns a back alley, pops of neon-pink signage peek out and the sea foam-green crockery contrasts the all-black interior.
Okawari roughly translates to ‘second helping’, so you can expect the menu to live up to its name. Yes, you will want a second helping of, well, everything. Okawari House specialises in traditional robata-grilled dishes and yakitori, but expect everything at this authentic Japanese joint to be top-notch.
Start small with raw plates like the spicy salmon tartar, loaded onto handmade rice crackers, and the kingfish ume shiso carpaccio. Warm up your palate with gyoza and yakitori—the wagyu gyoza is melt-your-mouth—before moving on to the star of the show. 
The robata menu showcases a variety of meat and vegetarian dishes, including standouts like the BBQ corn ribs with miso mayonnaise, grilled octopus with teriyaki, chilli and soybean, and the flaming wagyu mb8+ ishiyaki. It’s as impressive as it is sumptuous. Finish strong and dive into the taiyaki—matcha cake with red bean paste–and the yuzu tiramisu. If this all sounds too much to decide between, Okawari has you sorted with three multi-course set menus ranging from $65 to $90, starring chef and crowd favourites.
Of course, it wouldn’t be an Imlach venture without a seriously impressive drinks menu. Head bartender Jimmy (formerly of Paloma Wine Bar) has crafted a succinct yet intricate cocktail menu that will have you coming back again…and again.
On the five-item cocktail menu, standouts include the No.1, a tantalising combination of Herradura Plata, kumquat cordial, mirin, lime and kombu salt, and the No. 5, which is a cheeky take on an Old Fashioned with miso butter fat-washed whisky, Kurozato and bitters. If cocktails aren’t your thing (who are we to judge?) you’re covered with sake, Japanese whisky, shochu, Japanese beer and wine.
Consider this your sign to pick up a pair of chopsticks at the Gold Coast’s newest Japanese joint on the block.
THE DETAILS
What: Okawari House
Where: 2251 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach QLD 4218
When: Open seven days, 5pm to late
For more information, click here.
Image Credit: Clayten Fowler Photography