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South Brisbane Banquet

Why Chu the Phat's $49 Pre-Theatre Banquet is Worth Visiting in South Brisbane

Chu the Phat's $49 eight-course banquet offers fantastic value with highlight dishes like fluffy steamed duck buns and poached chicken salad, open to everyone regardless of theatre plans.

A bamboo steamer holding two soft white steamed buns at Chu the Phat with restaurant signage in the background.
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Prying open a warm steamed bun to reveal dark shredded duck inside sets the tone at Chu the Phat on Melbourne Street in South Brisbane. The restaurant runs an eight-course pre-theatre banquet for $49 a person, but you do not need a theatre ticket or show booking to take advantage of it.

We sat down to experience the full table spread, which brings together a varied lineup of Asian-inspired dishes. It turns out to be a practical option for dinner in South Bank whether you are catching a show next door or simply gathering a few friends over good food.

THE QUICK ANSWER

Is Chu the Phat worth adding to your itinerary?

We paired the food with their feature cocktail, Kiss From A Rose, as the rest of the meal rolled out. Plates of sliced cucumber salad dressed with sesame seeds, stir-fried meat with purple onions, and steaming bowls of white rice fill out the table, ensuring nobody leaves hungry.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

Menu highlights

Highlights from Zen’s visit.

At a glance: what we ordered

  • Pre-Theatre 8-Course Banquet ($49pp)
  • Steamed Duck Buns
  • Poached Chicken Salad
  • Pork Ribs
  • Wok-Tossed Greens
  • Kiss From A Rose Cocktail

Steamed duck buns and crisp poached salad

The highlights for us were the poached chicken salad and the fluffy steamed duck buns, served hot in bamboo steamers. Pulling the soft white buns apart at the table shows off the duck filling, while the chicken salad brings a fresh counterpoint to the spread.

The banquet continues with dark glazed pork ribs topped with fresh coriander leaves, crispy fried spring rolls served with dipping sauce, and wok-tossed greens finished with fried shallots. Each plate is balanced and distinct, giving the eight-course progression a natural rhythm.

Refreshing pairings on Melbourne Street

We paired the food with their feature cocktail, Kiss From A Rose, as the rest of the meal rolled out. Plates of sliced cucumber salad dressed with sesame seeds, stir-fried meat with purple onions, and steaming bowls of white rice fill out the table, ensuring nobody leaves hungry.

You do not need to be rushing off to a stage performance to appreciate what Chu the Phat is doing here. For $49 per person, this South Brisbane spread stands up on its own as a generous, flavour-packed night out.

GOOD TO KNOW

Frequently asked questions

Do you need a theatre ticket to order the $49 banquet at Chu the Phat?

No, you do not need to be attending a theatre show to order the $49 eight-course pre-theatre banquet at Chu the Phat.

Where is Chu the Phat located?

Chu the Phat is located at 111 Melbourne Street, South Brisbane QLD.

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More places and guides connected to this visit

Zen visited in July 2025. Menus, ratings, prices and opening hours can change, so check directly with the venue before you go.

It was a pleasure to be invited to experience Chu the Phat but all opinions shared are my own.