LOGAN’S cultural diversity is starting to make its way into local shopping centres, with the latest addition to Springwood an all-you-can-eat Korean restaurant.
Hwaro92 has taken the place of a burger joint Miss Kay’s, and while the old place was popular among locals, the new place has people queuing to get in.
Bookings are a week in advance for the Korean buffet, a trend emerging in capital cities throughout the country.
Owner Allan Park adds this restaurant to another on the Gold Coast.
Mr Park says his formula combines fried favourites with snacks and a broad selection of meats which people can cook themselves on in-house barbecues.
Cuts include wagyu marinated been and other cuts not normally seen at Korean barbecue restaurants, he says.
There are 28 tables open for lunch and dinner. It holds 133 patrons over three nightly sittings.
Mr Park said in addition to the buffet and Korean barbecue menu, the restaurant features a noodle bar, a dessert bar and a fully stocked cocktail bar, all themed with décor to reflect an authentic Korean dining experience.
Lunch specials are for 60 minutes and include Korean ssam (food wrapped with lettuce), cold and hot dishes, and dessert.
Mr Park, a Shailer Park resident, said Hwaro92’s professional bartender has a sommelier license, so he can assist with everything from Soju cocktails to the best wine to pair with the diners’ unique barbecue combinations.
“I am excited to have Chef Justin Seo at Hwaro92 to create our fresh, high-quality BBQ meat cuts – some that you cannot find in other Korean buffets), – plus our authentic Korean hot dishes and special KFC (Korean fried chicken),” Mr Park said.
“Justin has worked with me for eight years in my Robina restaurant and now joins me at Springwood Mall.”
Springwood Mall marketing manager Donna O’Neill said: “Allan shared with me that Hwaro is the term for ‘traditional grill’ in Korean and that ‘92’ has the same pronunciation as ‘grilling’ in Korean.
So, Hwaro92 means ‘grilling in the grill’.
The restaurant is open 11.30am-3pm for lunch, and 5pm-9.30pm for dinner. Bookings online.
