Follow the aroma of sizzling steak and you’ll soon stumble upon Hwaro92 upstairs at The Kitchens. The venue is the third for Allan Park, who also owns a successful Korean BBQ spot at Chermside in Brisbane. Buoyed by the surge in popularity for this particular style of cuisine, Allan was on the lookout for a new location. While Brisbane is peppered with top-notch Korean barbecue spots, the Gold Coast, he found, was far less saturated, particularly once you venture south from Southport and Surfers Paradise.

After an extensive fit-out, Hwaro92 opened its doors in December. Boasting a spacious dining area with 20 tables, each equipped with its own barbecue grill and state-of-the-art extraction fan, so you needn’t worry about setting the centre’s smoke alarms off if you get a little too grill happy.

Begin your adventure with a taste from the entrees, with dishes such as wagyu beef tartar and spicy homemade soups vying for your attention. Dive into classic Korean favourites like bibimbap, which is available with vegetables, marinated beef, spicy pork and chicken, and the ever-popular Korean fried chicken. For those who are keen to fire up the grill, opt for one of the BBQ sets, which include a variety of proteins along with a selection of rotating sides such as kimchi and Korean braised potatoes.

While Korean BBQ can be daunting for first timers, Allan says there’s always staff available to offer tips and tricks along the way. His top tip for keeping the meat moist is to cook the pieces whole and then chop them into strips with the scissors provided. Once cut, keep the strips in a cup of lettuce off to the side of the grill to keep it from drying out.

Hwaro92 is licensed with a selection of Korean wine, a Korean lager and soju to sip while you sizzle. It’s also BYO wine, if you fancy bringing your own special drop.

If you’re craving a memorable dining experience, head to Hwaro92 to fire up the grill. Head to our Stumble Guide for opening times.