By Leigh O’Connor.
East, sleep, sushi, repeat!
March is cherry blossom season in Japan…everyone awaits the arrival of the pink, fragrant blossoms around the country, in fact there is even a countdown as to when the first blooms will appear.
Cherry blossoms reach peak roughly a week after they start opening and the last blooms to open in 2023 are expected to be in Hokkaido towards the end of April.
It is not only the pretty flowers we embrace, but the whole culinary expectations that Japanese cuisine brings.
Restaurants can range from mobile food stands to cheap chain shops, unique themed eateries and those that specialise in a single type of dish.
With preparation and presentation honed over the centuries, Japanese food is refined and elegant, highlighting flavours, textures and colours of seasonal produce. Visual beauty is also important and when possible, food is eaten in its most natural state – think sashimi, or dishes that are lightly pickled with vinegar or salt.
Here are five of our favourites to get your Japanese on this month:
Embark on a Japanese culinary journey at Hakone on Glenferrie Road in Malvern. Bringing the true colours and flavours of Japan to the plate, step into an elegantly refined ambience of white-clothed tables and polished wood to watch talented sushi Chefs create art on the plate right in front of you.
Freshly sliced salmon tataki, with a dash of chilli, ginger and Hakone sauce entices to start, or yakitori chicken skewers, spring onion, teriyaki sauce and sesame; before mains like tonkatsu pork, cabbage slice, sesame dressing, tonkatsu sauce, salsa, mayo and sesame, enjoyed with a glass of sake.
Sometimes life needs a little excitement and that’s what you’ll get at Yuuma Japanese Restaurant on Albany Highway in East Victoria Park. Indulge in a dining experience that activates the senses in minimalistic surrounds of blond wood table settings, whitewashed walls and a full glass frontage letting in an abundance of natural light.
From sushi to bento, curry and udon there is something to tempt all tastes; say arigatou to starters of pork belly dumplings, pork jus, chilli oil and ponzu sauce, followed by miso-glazed Alaska imported black cod fillet, salad, pickles, rice, onsen egg and miso soup.
Bringing the authentic Japanese Wagyu yakiniku all the way from their self-owned farm in Japan to Sydney, discerning diners head to Kagoshima Master on Harris Street in Ultimo. Refining the age-old technique of flame grilling, this trendy restaurant is a celebration of sustainability, serving top-level A5 Wagyu and cutting butchery methods to allow gourmands to enjoy each affordable cut of Kagoshima beef.
Experience the range of textures and flavour only found in premium Wagyu - think entrées such as beef tataki and onsen egg, before devouring a Wagyu platter with Chef’s selection of five offerings; those more adventurous may opt for thinly-cut premium tongue, or an intestine combination.
Chefs are storytellers and each dish has its own nostalgic tale to tell at Monster Sushi and Bar on Sussex Street in the heart of Sydney’s CBD. Expect dynamic and innovative modern Japanese cuisine inspired by an affinity with nature at this creative sushi dining destination, where a stylish ambience of marble, black and white tiles, neon lighting and sleek table settings awaits.
Kickstart a memorable meal with shrimp and pork gyoza, or kingfish carpaccio; moving on to share a Monster sashimi platter with salmon, tuna, kingfish, soy-marinated tuna, katsuo no tataki, soy-marinated abalone, scallop, pink shrimp and tako.
Homely Japanese-style fare with a touch of Melbourne brunch-esque influence is what greets diners at Ilza Japanese Café on Birdwood Street in Box Hill. On balmy days sit streetside at alfresco tables and people watch while sipping an ice-cold beer or glass of wine; indoors blond wood, whitewashed brick and white subway tiles set a light and bright vibe for dining from a comfort food menu.
Snack on small plates like chicken and prawn karaaage, or a pork katsu sando, then devour interesting noodle dishes such as cheese hamburger curry udon; or share a large plate of perfectly cooked Scotch fillet with sides of steamed rice, broccoli and spicy ponzu.
Still looking for a Japanese fix near you? Click here for more dining destinations.
