Brisbane Eats
I ate dessert first: Harajuku Gyoza, South Bank
Harajuku Gyoza South Bank expands its menu with rich new sweet sandos like Crème Brûlée and Dubai Pistachio, though the Strawberry Cheesecake Sando remains the clear standout.
There is a distinct joy in breaking conventional meal rules and deciding to order dessert first. Holding a halved sweet sando packed with smooth cream and crowned with fresh, bright red strawberry slices, starting our meal on a sweet note felt completely justified. We returned to Harajuku Gyoza in South Bank to explore their brand-new sweet sando collection, stepping beyond the traditional savory lineup to put every sweet option on the table to the test.
Harajuku Gyoza South Bank is well known across Brisbane for its playful, energetic dining room. Walking past the storefront entrance, you are met with decorative overhead ceiling lights, casual timber dining tables, and bold wall signage featuring the venue's character mascot. It creates a welcoming setting for a group feast, whether you are stopping by for a quick lunch or settling in for a full spread.
Is Harajuku Gyoza worth adding to your itinerary?
As a self-proclaimed dessert queen who happily ordered all three sweet sando variations on the menu, comparing the newcomers against the original was the highlight of the visit. While the Golden Crème Brûlée and Decadent Dubai Pistachio offer rich, heavy sweetness, the original Strawberry Cheesecake Sando retains its crown as my personal favorite.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
Menu highlights
Highlights from Zen’s visit.
At a glance: what we ordered
- Chicken Katsu Sando
- Beef Katsu Sando
- Strawberry Cheesecake Sando
- Golden Crème Brûlée Sando
- Decadent Dubai Pistachio Sando
Testing the New Sweet Sando Creations
The main draw of this visit was tasting the two newest additions to the dessert menu: the Golden Crème Brûlée Sando and the Decadent Dubai Pistachio Sando. Splitting open the Golden Crème Brûlée sando reveals a soft, lush custard center tucked inside pillowy white bread, bringing the silky texture of the French classic into a portable Japanese sando format.
The Decadent Dubai Pistachio Sando takes an entirely different direction with its nutty profile. Opening this sandwich displays a generous layer of pale green pistachio cream filling, coated with finely crushed pistachios across the top for an added crunch. Each sweet sando arrives neatly fitted inside individual wooden sake boxes printed with the Harajuku Gyoza brand name, making the presentation clean and memorable.
Balancing Sweet Treats with Savory Katsu
While sweet sandwiches were the headline reason for our return, the restaurant's signature savory options remain essential to any balanced order here. We rounded out the table with both the Chicken Katsu Sando and the Beef Katsu Sando. Pulling the savory sandos apart reveals golden, breaded cutlets cushioned between soft bread slices, delivering a warm crunch and savory satisfaction with every bite.
Alternating between warm, crispy katsu cutlets and rich, chilled sweet cream gives the meal a great rhythm. Having both savory and sweet sandos lined up across the table demonstrates how versatile the sando format can be, satisfying distinct cravings within a single order.
Layered Drinks and Restaurant Atmosphere
To complement the spread of sandos, two colorful iced drinks were served on the wooden tabletop. Sipping a bright, layered green tea drink through a straw provided a cool, refreshing cleanse between the rich dessert bites and crisp savory katsu cutlets.
The colorful drinks alongside the wooden sake boxes create an inviting overhead view on the table. Framed by ambient indoor lighting and character mascot artwork, the space feels tailor-made for casual catch-ups and shared dining experiences with friends.
Why Strawberry Cheesecake Remains My Top Pick
As a self-proclaimed dessert queen who happily ordered all three sweet sando variations on the menu, comparing the newcomers against the original was the highlight of the visit. While the Golden Crème Brûlée and Decadent Dubai Pistachio offer rich, heavy sweetness, the original Strawberry Cheesecake Sando retains its crown as my personal favorite.
The Strawberry Cheesecake Sando succeeds because of its clean contrast, pairing rich cheesecake cream with juicy strawberry slices that cut through the sweetness. Whether you decide to kick off your meal with dessert or end with a sweet treat, Harajuku Gyoza South Bank delivers a fun, satisfying twist on Japanese street food comfort.
GOOD TO KNOW
Frequently asked questions
What sweet sandos are available at Harajuku Gyoza South Bank?
Harajuku Gyoza South Bank offers the Strawberry Cheesecake Sando alongside new additions: the Golden Crème Brûlée Sando and the Decadent Dubai Pistachio Sando.
Does Harajuku Gyoza South Bank serve savory sandos too?
Yes, savory choices on the menu include the classic Chicken Katsu Sando and Beef Katsu Sando.
KEEP EXPLORING
More places and guides connected to this visit
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 Harajuku Gyoza but all opinions shared are my own.