By Stella Oh and Preet Bulchandani
Menu | 6 Warner Lane, Fortitude Valley, QLD 4006, Australia
Bite Me! Is the newest food column brought to you by Glass editors Stella & Preet. You can expect reviews on local favorites and ‘hidden gems’. Our aim is to reduce the anxiety surrounding new environments through vibe checks, with considerations about the price, Wi-Fi, plug points, and of course, the food and drinks.
In essence, we will be helping you decide whether it’s your next study/work spot or a casual hang.
Vibe Check
Goros is guilty. What was the charge? Serving a succulent Japanese meal.
Goros feels like you’ve stepped into a chaotic Japanese fever dream, and we mean that in the best possible way. From the outside, it’s easy to miss. But step inside, and you’re hit with a full sensory overload: glowing lanterns, retro signage, sake bottles dangling from the ceiling, and a playlist that could revive you from the dead.
The space stretches across three levels, each offering a different kind of mood.
You enter on level two—the heart of Goros. It’s where the food happens. Booths wrap around the walls, bar stools fill the centre, and the main bar is a constant flurry of clinking glasses and dangerously drinkable highballs. Perfect for dinner, drinks, and trying to flirt without yelling too loud.
Take the stairs down to level one, and you’re in Goros’ wildcard zone. It’s part dance floor/part gamer’s paradise. One moment you’re vibing to house music, the next you’re locked in a Mario Kart death match. It shouldn’t work, but somehow it does.
Climb to Level Three, and you’ve got another bar, high tables, and multiple karaoke rooms.
Vibe-wise? It’s bold, loud, and dangerously fun. If you’re looking for a new go-to for pre-drinks for a wild valley night or a quirky late-night dinner, Goros gets a resounding yes from us.
Izakaya Food Menu
Pork Gyoza | 6pc | $16
The pork gyozas were juicy, crunchy in the right places, and perfectly cooked. Each bite offered a satisfying contrast between the crispy pan-seared edges and the soft filling. Everything about them was made with the customer in mind—from the teriyaki and balsamic sauce that added a sweet-salty tang to the ito togarashi (shredded chili threads) garnish, these gyozas were a burst of delight.
Vege Gyoza | 6pc | $16
If comfort had a crunch, it would be this. These pan-fried vege gyozas were crisped to golden perfection, with just the right amount of crunch on the skin to make every bite a textural treat. Inside, the filling was a vibrant mix of cabbage, carrot, some kind of mushroom (flavourful enough to stand on its own, no dipping required.)
What made this dish really shine was its simplicity. No over-the-top sauces or gimmicky toppings, just a light soy glaze and a sprinkle of sesame seeds that let the veg do the talking. The balance was everything. Not too oily, and no overpowering ingredients.
Prawn Gyoza | 6pc | $19
A feast for the eyes and tastebuds, these gyozas were generously garnished with fish roe, furikake, and coriander. Think of it as an umami bomb—each bite bursting with the briny pop of roe, the crunch of furikake, and fresh lift of coriander.
It may sound overwhelmingly…fishy, but Goros does a good job of blending these flavour profiles together. As a fellow Glass Editor would put it: “It’s not that ocean-y”.
P.S. for those of you with the coriander soap gene, the spicy ponzu sauce does a good job of covering it up.
Karaage | $22
You can never go wrong with fried chicken, but it’s a hard dish to make standout. With karaage, we usually know what to expect: crispy coating, juicy meat, and a side of mayo. At Goros, the karaage was, well…mid. Sure, it was tasty but nothing memorable. And with a $22 price tag? it’s much less appealing.
Goros Fried Cauliflower | $20
Golden, bold, and full of flavour, these fried caulis didn’t come to play. Lightly battered and seasoned just right, they brought the crunch and the character. But while the taste hit the mark, the size missed it by a floret. Each piece felt like a challenge: too big for one bite, too awkward for two. A little daintier, and they’d be divine.
Izakaya Drinks Menu
Whiskey Highball | $16
In case you were unfamiliar, whiskey highballs are an izakaya (Japanese pub) classic and the perfect way to start a night. Comprised of carbonated water and whiskey, it’s citrusy, bright and refreshing, with the soda taking off the edge of the whiskey, it goes down easier – but rest assured, it still packs a punch.
Goros does a great job with this classic, I would highly recommend it for anyone who’s looking for a ‘taste of Japan’.
Momo Highball | $16
Perfect for anyone who loves sweet cocktails, the Momo highball is a combination of vodka, peach sake, and bubbles. The peach sake greets your senses, the peachy aroma is reminiscent of summer days and its light on your tongue. You can barely taste the vodka—making it quite a dangerous drink.
Mango Poppu | $19
As the first drink in the Boozy Boba section, the Mango Poppu was the sweetest cocktail we tried—which make sense considering it’s a blend of vodka, passionfruit, mango iced tea, and mango popping pearls. It’s great for anyone who loves drinking but hates the taste of alcohol.
I had a couple of these throughout the night, and I have no complaints except that it gave me a sugar rush.
Matcha Colada | $19
Next in the Boozy Boba section, Goros’ matcha colada is a mix of pineapple rum, matcha, coconut milk and brown sugar pearls. If you can’t imagine what that would taste like, rest assured as we were just as baffled. While it certainly lives up to its ‘boozy boba’ name, the brown sugar pearls, while normally welcomed in boba, was lost in this drink.
The matcha colada is a hit or miss, while I commend its novelty – it’s not a drink I would have twice.
Goros Pain Killer | $18
A frozen cocktail made with Goros’ rum blend, pineapple, orange, and salted coconut; it’s certainly a unique experience. The pineapple and orange give it a fruity, fresh taste up front, followed by the bitter depth of the rum blend. The best way to describe it would be a piña colada with a twist.
Would I order it again? No, but I’d recommend it for anyone looking to try something familiar but with a Goros twist.
Service
The service really stood out when we first arrived—staff were quick to greet us, friendly, and showed us to our table. Food and drinks were ordered through a QR code on the table, which streamlined the experience, although it did take away some of that classic “hospitality” vibe. That being said, you could still go up to the bar yourself or wave someone over if needed. Everything came out fast, but as the night went on and the crowds picked up, things slowed down a little, but it wasn’t anything that ruined the experience. Considering the venue spans three floors, the staff did a great job at keeping things running.
Recommended for
- A night out – mainly for pre-drinks, since the dance floor was dead (though to be fair, we left before 10pm).
- A date night – just a heads-up: you might have to yell a little, the music was quite loud.
Not recommended for
- Those on a student budget: While Goros had good vibes, it’s not the most wallet-friendly option if you’re chasing cheap drinks.
Would we go back?
Stella: Absolutely! It was such a unique experience, and I loved the decor and the gyozas. Though honestly, it would be after I get my paycheck.
Preet: Hell yes, just not when I am in a full-on drinking mood because I don’t want to spend my grocery budget for that week on cocktail. That said, the food alone is reason enough to return.
BITE ME Rating: 4/5 chews
