Local chef James Zhao and his wife Lin have introduced Hai Tea Eatery & Café, inside the Burpengary Plaza food court. The restaurant serves a mix of modern Australian and Asian-inspired food.

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New Local Owners

Chef James Zhao brings extensive experience to the new venture, with over 20 years in the hospitality industry, including ten years working as a chef in cafes and restaurants across New South Wales and Queensland.

He and his wife Lin relocated to Burpengary two years before opening the café. Mr Zhao stated that observing the suburb’s rapid growth inspired him to bring his distinct style, which combines modern Asian elements with Australian cuisine, to the Burpengary community.

Unique Menu Offerings

Hai Tea Eatery & Café’s diverse menu aims to provide options for everyone. According to Mr Zhao, a standout breakfast item is their Eggs Benedict, which features a house-made potato rosti base instead of bread, finished with freshly prepared hollandaise sauce and poached eggs. He recommends the Bao selection for lighter appetites, and the Gluten-Free Pad Thai is offered for a quick lunch.

Another feature is the seven-hour slow-cooked Beef Toasted Sandwich, served with fries. The menu includes Slow-Cooked Pork Eggs Benny, Chicken Bao, Smashed Avocado with Pistachio Nut Dukkah, and Chicken Karaage Burgers. Drinks range from fresh juices and smoothies to shakes and coffees.

Café Atmosphere and Name

The café is designed to have a modern and cosy feel, providing a relaxing space for customers. Mr Zhao shared the reasoning behind the name “Hai Tea.” He explained that “Hai” translates to “Yes,” signifying a positive attitude, while “Tea” helps create the image of a happy, relaxed place. The name intentionally sounds similar to the English term “High Tea.”

Mr Zhao also mentioned his and his wife’s focus on quality products and service, expressing enthusiasm about collaborating with skilled local baristas to serve Burpengary Plaza customers well.

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Plaza Welcomes Addition

The shopping centre management has positively received the arrival of the new eatery. Burpengary Plaza Marketing Director Donna O’Neill described Hai Tea as a welcome and warm addition to the centre’s food court, which already hosts 18 other food retailers. She stated that the management looks forward to customers enjoying the fresh mix of Australian and Asian flavours offered by Mr Zhao.

Hai Tea Eatery & Café is open seven days a week. Operating hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Sunday.

Published Date 17-April-2025

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