You’d think eating dinner with a large chimpanzee hovering over your shoulder would be somewhat off-putting, but at Chop Chop Chang’s it’s all part of the atmosphere.
This restaurant on West End’s Boundary Street is named after Chop Chop Chang, the first chimp in space, and his graffiti-styled image looms large on the wall overlooking the tables. The overall look is bold – maybe their concept was a restaurant you could see from space? But it works, unlike the other dimly lit establishments on Boundary Street* it stands out.
Most of the seating is communal-style benches, so if you like to eavesdrop while you eat you’re in luck.
The menu is diverse and interesting, styled as pan-Asian street food the idea is each dish is something you’d experience while walking through a market, but without the uncomfortable “walking while eating” part of that equation. It’s designed to share so the dishes are small-ish and even though some are more substantial than others you shouldn’t expect to order one meal and receive a huge quantity of food. They have a banquet option for $35 or a selection of favourites for $54 per person, which would be a good idea for groups.
After eating my way through most of Chop Chop’s menu I can say with certainty you should never go without ordering the crispy roast pork. Succulent pieces of pork floating in an aromatic masterstock with choi sum and egg noodles – it’s a deliciously soothing winter warmer.
Their green papaya salad is a fresh and flavourful accompaniment, while the Hervey Bay scallops with miso butter and shredded nori is a treat for your tastebuds and a great way to start a meal.
Other favourites include the caramelised pork, with tamarind, star anise, cassia bark fried vermicelli, herbs and nahm jim, packed full of flavour and texture, while the chicken and cashew dish will always have me digging around in the bowl sneakily trying to eat more than my share.
Since opening Chop Chop Chang’s has updated their menu to include more vegetarian options and there are heaps of gluten free items if you’re that way inclined.
With such fresh, delicious food and consistently friendly service I like to squeeze in visits to Chop Chop’s whenever I’m in Brisbane.
Plus, you can finish your meal with a 50c karma cookie (all proceeds go to charity) and who doesn’t love cookies that tell fortunes?
You can find their menu on their website chopchopchangs.com.au
*Not that there’s anything wrong with that. There’s a time and a place for dimly lit establishments.
