Sarah Ward

Sometimes, the stomach wants what the stomach wants. Sometimes, your stomach feels like it's being spoiled for choice. Whether you're fond of themed burgers, inventive french toast or the kind of spring rolls you don't get to eat every day, Bowen Hills' thriving and lively King Street precinct inspires the latter reaction. When there's everything from cheap and tasty chicken to creamy desserts on offer, where do you start? When you're eager for a bite to eat but you're surrounded by so many amazing options, it's easy to gain a case of epicurean anxiety. To help, we've teamed up with the King Street precinct crew to highlight eight must-try dishes you should munch your way through during your next trip (or trips) to the inner-city area. Your hungry stomach and salivating tastebuds can thank us later. WHOLE SLOW-BAKED LAMB SHOULDER AT THE LAMB SHOP Thanks to its name, it's easy to guess what's on The Lamb Shop's menu. The Greek-inspired joint loves its lamb, and it especially loves putting pieces fresh off the spit into a jam-packed souvlaki. And yes, they come stuffed with hand-cut chips as well. If you're gathering the gang for a casual meal, though, you'll want something to share and savour — and the eatery's whole slow-baked lamb shoulder may just replace your nan's roast as your favourite lamb dish. Succulent, juicy and perfectly complemented by chargrilled pitas and The Lamb Shop's three different salads, there's a reason that this dish flies out the door each night. Arrive as close to 5pm as possible for this one, otherwise you might miss out. 50-CENT CHICKEN WINGS AT WELCOME TO BOWEN HILLS It's a truth that may as well be tattooed across every budget-conscious food lover's stomach: when a dish manages to be both delicious and a bargain, it just tastes better. That's the case at Harry's, Welcome to Bowen Hills' permanent pizza and chicken joint, which serves up 50-cent chicken wings all day, every day (well, five days a week but that doesn't have the same ring to it). All those dodecagonal coins burning a hole in your pocket? They'll go to great use here. Plus, as well as being cheap, these chook pieces are tender and juicy — as all great chicken wings should be. SONIC BOOM BURGER AT SUPER COMBO If you're a fan of 80s and 90s video games, then perusing Super Combo's menu should bring a smile to your face. As Brisbane's resident Street Fighter-inspired burger joint, its burgs all come with appropriate names — such as Hadoken, Spinning Piledriver and Sonic Boom. We recommend the latter, especially if you're fond of stacked burgers that experiment with flavour. Sure, you've had a crispy fried chicken burg before; however this one is just as much about the maple candied bacon, pineapple chutney and a combination of cheddar cheese sauce and smoky mushroom sauce. MODERN KAISEKI MENU AT SUSHI & NORI If you've ever sat down to a Japanese dinner that serves up multiple courses, artfully arranges its individual dishes, and carefully balances its ingredients in terms of taste, texture, appearance and colour, then you've experienced the art of kaiseki. At Sushi & Nori, that idea shines through in a separate menu devoted to modern, creative options — the kind that you'll want to choose several of and create your own multi-course meal. Highlights include the salmon sashimi, truffle tuna tartare and zucchini noodle with spicy prawn, as well scallop ceviche. Yes, seafood features in a big way — and everything looks as good as it tastes. GELATO SHAKE AT LA MACELLERIA Feeling like a creamy scoop of handcrafted Italian gelato, but feeling thirsty as well? To solve this very problem, La Macelleria launched its gelato shakes. Prepare to make a difficult decision, though. Do you feel like sipping a blend of milk and stracciatella (aka chocolate chip gelato), or should your milkshake taste like raspberry cheesecake? The choices go on, but one is especially simple — if you're keen, you'll want to head to King Street. It's one of only two places in Brisbane that you'll find La Macelleria's shakes on the menu, and it makes a satisfying liquid dessert after you've eaten your way through the precinct's other restaurants. SAIGON STEAMED RICE PANCAKE AT BANOI Picking a standout dish at Banoi, King Street's resident homestyle Vietnamese eatery, isn't an easy feat. When a place serves up crab and prawn spring rolls, pork belly bao and salt and pepper chicken ribs, you really can't expect your tastebuds to play favourites. Still, the steamed rice pancake might just jump to the top of the pile. Indeed, it's one of Banoi's specialties. It comes in meat and vegetarian varieties and delivers a spot-on balance of texture and flavour. CRISPY PORK KNUCKLE AT BEERHAÜS Walk into any pub, brewery or beer-loving joint in Germany and, as well as finding plenty of ales to quench your thirst, you'll find pork knuckle on the menu. It's also an essential dish at Beerhaüs — which is part of Rockpool Dining Group's Bavarian chain — and the King Street joint definitely takes this classic seriously. Cooked until it's sporting a crispy crackling on the outside, yet still remaining succulent on the inside, this is traditional German fare done oh-so-well. It's also a top option if you're feeling extra hungry. Naturally, it's served with sauerkraut, plus mashed potato, bier jus and apple compote. PEACH SPRING ROLLS AT FAT DUMPLING For your next meal at Fat Dumpling, we're going to make a controversial choice. There's one dish you can't pass up, and it isn't dumplings — although, with poached, steamed and pan-fried options available, including the old favourite that is pork xiao long bao, you'll want to try several varieties and then several more. Whatever you opt for during the savoury portion of your lunch or dinner, finish up by tucking into a serving of peach spring rolls. It comes with vanilla bean ice cream, and it's the only dessert on the menu because nothing else is needed. Take your senses on an adventure to Bowen Hills and find more great places to eat at King Street here.