Dina with a Difference at Chinadina
Family-friendly vibes, banquet-style meals and the chance to dine with a dragon on Chinese New Year – Rebecca Jamieson Dwyer discovers what’s happening at Noosa’s ‘dina’ with a difference this summer.
It’s been 12 months since Chinadina in Noosaville opened its doors, and it’s safe to say that this modern Cantonese restaurant has won(ton) the local community over with its fresh menu, authentic fusion flavours and beautifully designed interior. Head Chef Fong Kong Loong, who hails from Malaysia and has worked in restaurants in Melbourne, takes inspiration from his Southeast Asian heritage and is passionate about creating innovative dishes – with many elements made entirely from scratch – using Noosa’s abundance of incredible produce. The menu has something for everyone, with dim sums, small plates, duck breast pancakes, stir-frys and rice dishes plus exciting weekly specials dreamt up by Fong, including premium crab and prawn spring rolls with chef’s signature chilli sauce, and classic lemon chicken with papaya mango salad.
New additions include spiced chicken ribs, and sizzling beef with Cantonese sauce. Another highlight is the popular mud crab, which comes in three zingy flavours: Malaysian-style tomato, chilli sauce, garlic and fried mantou; ginger scallion with spring onion and garlic; or deep-fried salt and pepper, shallots, capsicum and garlic. It’s freshly-caught so subject to availability and needs to be pre-ordered with 48 hours’ notice – but so worth getting your claws on!
For those who wish that they could try a bit of everything, the set banquet has you covered. Sit back, relax and watch as your table is filled with sharing-style delights such as chilli wontons, caramel eggplant bao, prawn hargow, Peking duck set with pancakes, stir-fry Wagyu beef and Asian-style greens. After all, sharing is caring!
Love the dessert life? Sweet tooths are more than catered for with Asian-inspired dishes such as banana fritters with vanilla ice cream and caramel toffee sauce; steamed salted lava egg buns; and customer favourite, Pandan crème brûlée with coconut ice cream.
Family dining is at the heart of Cantonese culture, and kids are very welcome here. The little foodies in your life will love the veggie spring rolls and honey chicken on the kids’ menu, but the indisputable star of the show is the piggy custard bun – a super squishy dumpling in the shape of an adorable lil pig (or panda!) filled with bright yellow custard for a treat that’s sweet in more ways than one.
With its rich, colourful ambience thanks to the antique and secondhand artwork and treasures that have been sourced from across the country, Chinadina offers an intentional, unforgettable dining experience – something that comes as no surprise when you realise it’s owned and run by the team behind much-loved modern Australian/European restaurant, Gusto.
The Chinese New Year dinner on Wednesday 29 January is sure to be a sensational spectacle, featuring a special menu, extravagant decorations and a dancing Chinese dragon to help welcome in the Year of the Snake, bringing luck, prosperity and good fortune to all. Whether you’re gathering at Chinadina for a casual meal, indulging in a banquet feast or soaking up the vibrant festivities of Chinese New Year, this is one dining experience that promises to leave you feeling very lucky indeed!
Celebrate Chinese New Year at Chinadina!
Chinadina will come alive with fantastic food, delicious drinks and a dancing dragon for a special dinner celebrating the Year of the Snake on Wednesday 29 January! See the Chinadina website for more information and to book your tickets.
