Izakaya UMAKAMON — Restaurant in Gold Coast City

Top notch little izakaya in Surfers Paradise that my sis & BIL recommended, and one that's going on my favourites list for future Gold Coast trips.

Loved the pork eye fillet katsu set ($23.80) which comes with deep fried crumbed pork, rice, mini salad, and miso soup. This version is $1 more than the tonkatsu set which comes with their signature pork cutlet, but I’m glad I went with the eye fillet cos it was so juicy and tender and wow from the first to the last bite.

Wifey had a chirashi mixed sashimi rice bowl ($20) and we also got some gobo (burdock root) chips ($7.80) - wouldn’t say I loved it but no regrets trying. Others on the table got some agedashi tofu ($8.80) to share and I really liked this too - lovely contrast between the fried exterior and the soft interior, and just a well-weighted flavour to the sauce. Other dishes the rest of our group ordered were all well received.

The wait staff were busy but attentive and helpful: mixing the contents of a stone pot dish another friend ordered (not pictured) and giving some tips on the best way to enjoy on the ball with replacement chopsticks when I knocked mine to the floor - it was in front of me before I could think about flagging someone down to ask for a new one!

Do yourself a favour and check it out - pre-bookings recommended cos they’re pretty popular (and for...

Arrived early to get an outside table before they even opened. Ordering was easy enough on the QR code. But it was a bit hit and miss. Edamame was over cooked and mushy, the tataki was delish. But a bit one note. Mostly just taste the truffle not the meat. The karage chicken was oily and doesn’t come with a salad to help add some freshness. A grilled chicken teriyaki dish would be more palatable. Oily karaage with a big blob of mayo needs some acidity and respite from the oily ness . The steak shirt was good too, very tender but needs some salad also or maybe some pickled Radish or daikon would elevate it. The atmosphere outside was very loud and busy and people waiting for tables literally watching my every mouthful and standing over my table ready to pounce. Asking people to step away from the existing guests so they can Enjoy their food would be nice for the diners to not feel stood over and stared at! And if that beer is considered a large. I’d hate to see the small. It was mostly head! I’m a local and a bit disappointed I didn’t find my regular Japanese fix so close to home . Guess I’ll keep looking ! Spend over $100 for 1 person and get told a container to take what I haven’t finished will Cost me after I’d already round up the bill to include a...

Very high quality Japanese restaurant. Impressed by the staffs and chef. We only saw one main chef and two assistants in the kitchen but they managed to serve in a reasonable time. Food quality was excellent.

The wagyu tataki with sea urchin and foie gras was our favourite. The beef was well cooked. Sea urchin was fresh. All three elements combined together to give a interesting but delicious textures.

The deep fried oysters was perfectly fried with crunchy outer layer. The yuzu mayo matched so well with it and can make it less greasy.

Grilled king fish wings was a little bit too salty if you eat without rice. But still nicely grilled, the fish tastes not dry.

The Mentaiko sauce udon was surprisingly good. We expected it could be a bit too creamy or oily but turns out it’s not! The sauce tasted delicious and with the right texture. There is also a onsen egg served with it which you can break it and mix the yolk with the udon to make it even more delicious.

Love the vibe of the restaurant and a big thanks to the...