Kimchi Cheese Smile
East Brisbane’s Kimchi Cheese Smile is pairing Sara Jeon and Jamie Yang’s love for Australian cafe culture with some intriguing and wholesome Korean eats – think high-quality fare without the fine-dining faff. The brunch menu features flavours that will resonate with fans of Korean cuisine, showcased in dishes such as spiced mince, Angus chuck and kimchi tacos, seafood pancakes with Korean squid and Tasmanian octopus, and mushroom bibimbap with soft eggs. The dinner menu offers small plates to start, such as house-made pork mandu dumplings, Korean fried chicken and octopus tartare, before the main affair delivers seven-score wagyu intercostals coated in kalbi sauce on a bed of mash, char-grilled pork with mushrooms and bean sprouts, white fish and barley risotto, and tagliatelle served with prawn, squid, fish roe and XO sauce. Sara is in charge of the drinks at Kimchi Cheese Smile, starting with superbly poured Fox Coffee and moving onto local craft beer from the likes of Balter, Green Beacon and Moo Brew, biodynamic and minimal-intervention wine from Shobbrook Wines and Smallfry, premium Korean liquors, soju cocktails, and more.