How MODU Celebrates the ‘City of Magic’ in the Heart of Perth

Tucked down a quiet side street in Perth’s CBD, MODU Bar & Kitchen brings a bold and vibrant take on Asian fusion dining.

Inspired by early 20th-century Shanghai – known as the ‘City of Magic’ – owner Raymond Kwok and his team have created a venue that balances energy with elegance, tradition with innovation.

“We wanted to create an Asian fusion venue that sits closer to the Asian side of fusion,” explains Raymond. “A lot of fusion spots tend to lean Western, but we wanted to stay true to our roots. MODU captures the magic and vibrancy of old Shanghai, bringing that mix of cultures and traditions into our food, cocktails and atmosphere.”

MODU seamlessly blends traditional Chinese cooking methods with modern Western flair, crafting a menu that pairs perfectly with its innovative cocktails infused with Chinese ingredients. As the night unfolds, the venue transforms from an upscale lunch spot for corporate diners into a dynamic bar with live music. It's a destination where people gather, celebrate, and immerse themselves in an atmosphere that’s as refined as it is inviting.

A polished solution for a sophisticated restaurant.

As a thriving restaurant-bar in the heart of Perth, MODU needed a payment system that matched its style and sophistication. After struggling with traditional bank EFTPOS systems, MODU decided to make the switch to Zeller.

“It’s been about a year with Zeller,” says Kwok. “Before that, we were with one of the big 4 banks, but we had so many issues – near-zero customer support, and having to do manual surcharge calculations was an annoying extra step.”

One of the biggest selling points was Zeller’s competitive merchant fees and the (optional) built-in surcharging functionality.

“With the big 4 bank, we either had to manually calculate the surcharge or press a special button on the POS system. Zeller makes it all straightforward – everything is automatically calculated. We don’t have to mess around with it.”

MODU’s success with Zeller even led to Tony Roma’s, another venue owned by Kwok, switching to Zeller as well.

Beautifully itemised bills keep the bean counters happy.

MODU caters to a significant number of corporate clients who require precise billing transparency for expense claims.

“The integration and clarity really help us,” explains Kwok. “Our POS system is Redcat, and having a seamless integration for things like tipping – where it’s clearly displayed on the bill – prevents discrepancies. If a finance department sees a $1,000 bill and there’s an extra 10% unaccounted for, that’s $100. Everything needs to match up, and Zeller makes that easy.”

Striking the right ambience into the early morning.

MODU’s atmospheric setting makes it an ideal spot for both dining and nightlife. With a 70/30 drinks-to-food sales split, the venue operates like a high-end bar while maintaining a full kitchen setup.

“In the afternoon, corporate people come in for lunch. As the sun sets, it becomes a moody dining spot, and later it transforms into a late-night live music bar,” says Kwok. “Some people dine elsewhere and then come to us for after-dinner drinks or work drinks.”

A partnership that powers growth.

As MODU continues to evolve, Zeller remains a key part of its operations. With smooth payments combined with great customer support, Zeller has helped MODU focus on what it does best – creating an unforgettable dining and nightlife experience in Perth.

“Zeller has been great for us,” says Kwok. “The EFTPOS system is seamless, and the customer support has been fantastic. It’s made our whole payment process much easier. I look forward to working with Zeller as we keep growing.”