Brisbane's dining scene has just gotten a lot more interesting with the opening of Sorai, a new Burmese restaurant in Carina.
The brainchild of young gun chef Alfan Musthafa and his team, including Myanmar-born chefs Min Hein Kyaw and Su Sabai Zaw, Sorai is a labour of love that brings the flavours of Myanmar to Brisbane's southside.
When Alfan Musthafa, one of Brisbane's hottest young talents, stumbled upon the Global Food Markets in Woodridge, he was blown away by the food stalls, particularly his friend Laga 'Bosco' Htoi's aunty's stall. The experience sparked a passion for Burmese cuisine and inspired Alfan to open Sorai, bringing a taste of home to Brisbane's Burmese community.
Sorai's menu is a love letter to Myanmar, with over 50% of the dishes Burmese. Pad Thai and massaman curry make an appearance, but it's the comforting Burmese dishes like kyay oh (vermicelli noodles with pork meatballs and poached egg), mohinga (rice noodle fish soup), and lahpet thoke (tea leaf salad) that will transport you to the streets of Yangon.
The restaurant's warm and inviting space is designed to make locals feel at home, with timber and brick walls, vivid yellow tiling, and rattan lampshades. The team has taken care to keep things uncomplicated, wanting the focus to be on the food.
Sorai is already making waves in the community, with a loyal following of foodies and Burmese expats. As Alfan Musthafa says, 'The reception has been amazing so far. Really busy. And the support from the community has been huge – both people who live locally but also the Burmese community, which has been travelling from across Brisbane.'
While the drinks list is still coming together, Felons beer on tap and a range of Asian brews by the bottle will keep you hydrated. The star of the show is the food, with prices starting from $15 for a snack.
With Sorai, Alfan Musthafa and his team have brought a taste of Myanmar's rich culinary heritage to Brisbane, and we can't wait to see what's next.
The Global Food Markets in Woodridge, meanwhile, are worth a visit in their own right, with fresh produce and street food options galore.
Must-try dishes: kyay oh, mohinga, lahpet thoke, Burmese-style chicken curry.
Prices: from $15 for a snack.
Address: 333 Old Cleveland Road, Carina QLD 4152.
Opening hours: Monday to Thursday 5pm to 10pm, Friday to Saturday 12pm to 10pm, Sunday 10am to 9pm.
'The food stall was packed with diners,' Alfan Musthafa recalls.
A recent report by the Australian Bureau of Statistics reveals that 46,790 Myanmar-born people are living in Australia, with 30,000 arriving between 2002 and 2022. Sorai is a testament to the growing Burmese community in Brisbane, and we can't wait to see more authentic restaurants like it open up in the city.