Esteemed chef Jon Hizola has opened Momoko, bringing a taste of Japan to Southport
When Jon Hizola opened Alamat, his vision was to bring a little taste of the Philippines to the Gold Coast. If there’s one thing we’ve learnt about Jon over the years, it’s that he isn’t afraid to mix things up and give the people what they want. With that in mind, allow us to introduce you to Southport’s newest Japanese joint, Momoko.
Momoko feels like familiar territory for Jon, who has been instrumental in establishing many of the Gold Coast’s most celebrated Asian restaurants over the years, including Chevron Island’s Mr Kojima and Burleigh’s Masu Izakaya, which he opened alongside his wife Eileen. While Alamat certainly found its niche, Momoko is envisioned as the convivial neighbourhood noshery where you can bring a date for a casual beer and a bite, have a family dinner without blowing a month’s food budget, or swing by on the nights you don’t feel like cooking and grab takeaway. It’s fast casual, as Jon puts it.
In terms of the menu, it’s approachable with traditional elements, but in true Jon style, there’s a contemporary touch to it. The raw bar is where you will find some of Jon’s most-loved dishes, including kingfish carpaccio with yuzu soy, pickled fennel and chilli, wagyu tataki, and a Momoko-style hand roll with salmon, prawns or tuna.
Moving on, the small plates offers bites of takoyaki (octopus ball) alongside crispy popcorn prawns smothered in spicy aioli and a delightfully tasty sweetcorn okonomiyaki, to name a few, as well as a delectable selection of gyoza and skewers. You could easily linger here, grazing through a procession of small plates, but for the famished, the large plates is where you can really get stuck in, with serves of chicken katsu, kakuni pork belly, sizzling beef and salmon teriyaki on offer.
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The thing that sets Momoko apart, Jon says, is that the service by his wife Eileen. “I think that’s what separates us from the rest of the Japanese restaurants,” he tells us. “The level of service, the food presentations and the way we do the menu.”
Momoko’s fast-casual approach extends to the drinks list, which offers a clutch of Japanese beers on tap, alongside wines that lean towards fruity, minerally whites and mild reds. Jon has plans to introduce an extensive sake selection down the track, similar to Mr Kojima, alongside cocktails. It’s BYO wine on Tuesdays and Wednesdays too, which is a bonus.
Momoko is now open! Head to our Stumble Guide for opening times.