Oriental Bakery

Oriental Bakery in Mermaid Beach, Queensland, is the sort of small neighbourhood shop where locals stop by for quality takeaway and dine-in meals. The coffee is there if you want one with your lunch.

The pork buns and banh mi get most of the talk. One local who has eaten pork buns for fifty years called the barbecue pork bun the best on the Gold Coast, on par with what they had in Hong Kong. The banh mi are made to order, with the traditional cold cut pork or chicken, plenty of pickled carrot, salad and coriander, and a reputation as a cheap and cheerful lunch. One person would have liked a touch more chilli, but found it fresh and tasty all the same.

Then there's the dumpling side of the counter. Dim sims, prawn dumplings, steamed pork rolls and wontons come up regularly, and we hear the shumai are a standout, made with water chestnuts the old-fashioned way. People say the dim sum is homemade on site. Buns are a draw too, including the coconut bun and the pineapple bun, which one regular recommends with cold butter. The pie lovers are looked after as well, and the food comes fresh from the oven. There's also a big donut range if you've got a sweet tooth.

The staff are a big part of the appeal. It looks to be a hands-on husband and wife operation, and customers describe warm greetings, help choosing, and a friendly chat about food and life. Tradies pop in around smoko and lunch. One visitor thought a large order for pork buns and dim sims ran dear, so it's worth having a look at what you're ordering.

Practical bits: there's free street parking and a free car park, the entrance and car park are wheelchair accessible, and cards and tap payments are accepted. Hours vary through the week, so check before heading in.