Chop Chop Chang's

Chop Chop Chang’s is a bustling market place style bar eatery serving up delectable Pan Asian food, lush cocktails, tea and traditional Vietnamese coffee from within the vintage brick walls of a 1950’s West End bank.

Rows of lowset communal tables along one wall are presided over by a stencil art image of Chop Chop Chang (the first chimp in space), the ceiling is an industrial expose of search lights and yellow painted ducts, light bulbs dangle over tables in glass enclosed clusters and a street front dining alcove is encased in the thick walls of the old vault. And out back there’s a secret little white walled courtyard perfect for balmy summer nights.

The food, derived from Vietnamese, Thai, and a smattering of Japanese cuisine, comes in street cart or hawker’s stall size bites up to bowl size and diners fazed by the tempting variety on offer can go for the market Feed – an across the board selection of Chop Chop Chang favourites for $54pp.

Otherwise, from the Walkabout Cart, the prawn and corn cakes come recommended, from the Temple Stall the), and from the Hawkers’s ‘Wok’ and ‘Barbecue’ Stalls try the barbecue whole Mooloolaba King Prawns or twice Cooked Sticky Beef Ribs. Meanwhile choices on the Bowls menu include Rich Red Duck Curry or Crispy Roast Pork with egg noodles.

There’s also a short but sweet dessert menu and all meals are well finished with a Vietnamese coffee or specially sourced Cartel Tea.

From the bar come cocktails with an Asian infused flavour – think ginger and lemongrass margarita, Vietnamese coffee martini or the owner’s fave – Khe San Sour (amber rum, lime, ginger, chilli water & egg white). Ideal for groups are the Drunken Iced Teas or Asian Punch to share, delicious concoctions served up in carafes.

And those after a beer or wine will find a mix of Asian and Oz beers and a short sharp Euro and Oz wine list by the glass or the bottle.

Need to know: In between lunch and dinner times and after the kitchen closes at night Chop Chop Chang’s bar is still a happening thing. Chop Chop Chang's is a 'walk-in' restaurant with no reservations except for groups of 10+.