Those well-seasoned to Malaysian food would be familiar with the PappaRich name – there are locations dotted across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and beyond. The brand-new 90-seat Chevron Renaissance space is the chain’s first venue on the Gold Coast and is headed up by Malaysian-born Nick Ong. During his 17 years on the Gold Coast, Nick found it increasingly difficult to get authentic Malaysian food that offered the same vibrancy, aromas and flavour-packed taste that he was used to … so he did the logical thing and opened his own Malaysian restaurant. It’s a delicious win-win, because Nick’s cravings get satisfied and the Gold Coast gets a genuine taste of authentic Malaysian fare.

If you’re wondering what’s involved when it comes to Malaysian food, think lots of fragrant spices, curries, satays, coconut milk, noodles, soups, laksas and everyone’s favourite accompaniment – buttery, flaky roti bread. If you really want to do it like the Malaysians, then opt for one of PappaRich’s signature dishes like the Pappa Wat Tan Hor, a traditional dish of flat rice noodles with egg gravy, prawns, fish cake, chicken slices, choy sum (leafy greens) and fried shallots. The nasi lemak, Malaysia’s national dish of fried anchovies, fried peanuts, hard-boiled egg, cucumber slices and a spicy sambal is seen across the menu, often as a side for fragrant curries, fried chicken and sambal prawns. Wash it all down with one of the traditional milk-based drinks or iced-coffee concoctions, before finishing on a sweet note with a sago pudding or the traditional Malaysian shaved-ice topped with jelly, red beans, peanuts and sultanas.

Keen to experience the tastes and get schooled on Malaysian culture at the same time? Head over to our Stumble Guide for PappaRich’s location and opening times.