SOMETHING Different!

You’ll find something different nestled within a renovated Queenslander on Burnett Street Buderim. Dee Den is a place where reckless creativity meets traditional Asian cuisine resulting in a dining sensation that stands out from the crowd, as Carlie Wacker discovers.

Jeremey Khoo knows how to bring excitement to a menu and a venue.

With well over a decade in the hospitality industry, his most recent venture provides Sunshine Coast locals and visitors with a quirky twist on the popular Asian dishes.

Drool over favourites such as Slow Cooked Beef Cheek Massaman Curry and Chicken Pad Thai but then discover real palate kickers such as the Watermelon and Anchovy Flakes, Banana Blossom Salad or Crying Tiger Short Ribs. The menu offers the comfort of traditional food with theatrics of new tweaks.

“When we were coming up with the fundamental concept of Dee Den, we wanted to create a place where people can celebrate the special occasions in their life (from big to small) with their friends and family over delicious Modern Asian food that’s just a little different,” says Jeremy.

It’s not just the food that’s different, it’s the experience of Dee Den. For example, there is a fun foodie adventure if you simply cannot decide what to try from the menu. The interactive food map is a great way to help you choose from the plethora of flavours in front of you.

Beginning with your hunger level and moving onto other key decision points, you can create your unique taste journey on their menu map with sensational suggestions along the way!

If that’s not enough fun, there is also a list of conversation starters to add fun to the flavours as you discover what your dining companions would do during a zombie apocalypse; what their guilty pleasures are and the strangest dates they’ve been on (they might be on it right now!). There are a dozen ideas to ensure the conversation never dries up - and that leads me to the drinks menu.

Where possible, the team showcases beautiful local Australian spirits and products from small distilleries and family farms but of course it wouldn’t be Dee Den if a few of the drinks weren’t something different. The Grapefruit Sake and Lemongrass Mojito are both palate cleansers and flavour sensations. A local

Sunshine & Sons Pineapple Parfait G+T with Fever-Tree Mediterranean Tonic, Yuzu Syrup and Lime hits the spot or you can opt for a carefully-selected wine or beer that celebrates a predominantly Australian offering. Even the Mocktails sound like magic for the mouth!

Head chef and co-owner Mike Meesuwan has created a banquet menu catering to three wallet (and waist) sizes.

Starting at $69 per person, you will set off on a Dee Den feasting experience taking in dishes like Betel Leaf Wraps, Twice Cooked Pork Belly Baos and Chef Mike’s Playful Popcorn Chicken.

A feast for two? No worries, there is a brilliant banquet for $86 per person that. Now that’s different!

Dietary requirements? No worries, the menu is packed with gluten free, vegetarian and vegan options that are easibly recognisable with their quirkly colour coded symbols. Jeremy said they were working on expanding their vegan options as deman increases.

“We have been in touch with local brands like the Palmwoods-based Fable to use their mushroom meat to create delicious plant-based dishes from scratch that can give any dish a run for its money,” he said.

When it comes to value-for-money, Dee Den wins again with a range of small, medium and large plates that are exceptional value.

The appetite for this type of restaurant in Buderim is high with more than 6,500 guests and a 4.9/5 star rating on Google (from 145 reviews) in the first few months of trading.

“We are honestly blown away and humbled by the amazing support we’ve received from everyone,” Jeremy says.

The loose translation of Dee Den is “something different” and that is true of the food and the vibe of this stand-out new restaurant. You’ll find Dee Den located next to the Buderim Tavern. It’s a cool venue that brings together the heritage of a Queenslander, comfort of a home, character of leafy Buderim and spirited food and beverage menu that simply must be experienced.