Quick Bites:
🍝 What we ate: handmade dumplings, korean fried chicken, korean corn with cheese, softshell crab and fried chicken baos, and hotteok
🍷 Best for: relaxed catch-up with friends, date night without the fuss, or an easy dinner that’s still a treat
🌅 Location perks: Right near the water — if you time it right, you’ll catch the golden light over Merewether Beach before heading upstairs to eat.
⭐ Vibe: Warm, relaxed, unpretentious, casual
📍 Where? Merewether SLSC
💰 Price: $$
Heads up: This Sunday marks the final Sukimama pop-up at the Merewether Surf Club, closing a much-loved chapter. But don’t be too sad just yet — Suki’s been quietly teasing that something new (and big!) is coming. If this is the food she’s been serving from a humble surf club kitchen, I can only imagine what’s next.
You wouldn’t think to look upstairs at the Merewether Surf Life Saving Club for some of the best Korean street food in Newcastle — but that’s exactly where you’ll find it.
Sukimama in Newcastle has been quietly operating from the upstairs space every week from 4pm since October 2022. People love it and it has become somewhat of a local institution since its inception. It’s casual, welcoming, and deeply comforting in the way that good food — and good company — often is. At the centre of it all is Suki, the heart and soul of the pop-up. She’s the kind of person who makes you feel like you’re being welcomed into her home rather than just placing an order. Suki is the owner and chef behind it all, pouring her love and passion for Korean food and homecooking into this weekly pop-up that locals have come to embrace as part of their Sundays.
Food at Sukimama
We arrived with rumbling stomachs and ordered a bit of everything. Since it was a pop-up, we didn’t mind if the food took a bit longer to arrive. My daughter and I happily took in the breathtaking views from Merewether SLC, and felt very grateful to be near such natural beauty.
After a while, our food had come and we were so ready to dig in. We ordered chicken and chive handmade dumplings, Korean fried chicken tossed in a sticky-sweet sauce, that iconic corn cheese that arrives bubbling hot and gooey, and soft shell crab bao, and fried chicken bao. Everything came out freshly made and full of flavour. My favourite is the handmade dumplings — you can really tell everything was handmade and fresh. Clearly folded by hand, the dumplings barely made it to the table before we started devouring it.
Before heading out, I thanked her — not just for the food, but for the care that was so clearly poured into each dish. You can taste it when someone cooks from the heart because you carry it with you long after you’ve left.
Just as we were about to leave, Suki kindly gave us Hotteok — a warm, chewy Korean pancake filled with cinnamon sugar and crushed nuts. A gift, she said. I don’t know if it was the sweetness of the moment or the actual dessert, but it felt like a small hug to end the night.
Should you eat here?
If you’re after something low-key but special, something handmade and full of heart, Sukimama in Merewether is worth seeking out — especially this weekend. Whether you’re a local or just visiting and looking for a yummy Korean street food in Newcastle, this beachside pop-up should be on your list. Go hungry, go early, and if Suki offers you Hotteok — say yes.
