Sydney Weekender - Eating Out - Japanese

Eating Out - Japanese

Reporter: Sally Stanton

Ume Japanese Restaurant

Japanese cuisine has developed a huge following in Australia which isn’t surprising when it consists of healthy, simple and really tasty food. If you’re looking to try some Japanese that’s a notch up from the humble sushi roll head to Ume Japanese Restaurant in Surry Hills.

Head Chef Kerby Craig runs the place here and has trained with Tetsuya, so he certainly knows his stuff. His team are plating up Japanese food with both traditional and modern influences and pride themselves on using the freshest local and seasonal produce. The wagyu beef is a standout dish, it comes with roasted sesame, grilled green onions and is topped with native bottle brush. Seafood lovers will go crazy for the seared scallop carpaccio, it’s served with soy brown butter and smoked seaweed, or there’s the ‘giant’ octopus, slow braised and lightly charred with a side of simmered daikon, cucumber and Sancho pepper. The barramundi is another popular choice, it’s poached and then dished up with Jerusalem artichokes and crispy seaweed.

Traditionally, Japanese cuisine doesn’t include too many desserts however, while you’re here you have to try the strawberry jelly with vanilla tofu, vanilla ice cream, ginger meringue and mint. The sensational mix of flavours will definitely have you coming back for more.

Prices correct as at 27/10/12

Kokoroya Japanese Sushi Dining

For some family-friendly Japanese dining, check out Kokoroya Japanese Sushi Dining in Maroubra. A section of the restaurant is reserved for the kids to play in, equipped with a television and toys, so you can enjoy in-built babysitting while you eat. There’s also an open kitchen here so diners can watch the amazing sushi chefs as they slice up sashimi with controlled precision, the kids will love that!

With so much variety on the menu there’s something to keep every family member happy. The ‘Karate Kid’ includes everything a kid could ask for, there’s 6 pieces of sushi, edamame beans, 2 dumplings, a piece of deep fried ‘karage’ chicken, all topped off with a side of jelly. The ‘dynamite’ scallop sushi roll is a huge favourite, the roll is open grilled and then topped with a spicy dynamite sauce. The dish technically isn’t even on the menu but it’s so popular with the locals that it has formed part of the secret menu.

There are heaps of platters available, including everything from sushi rolls, sashimi, deep fried chicken, gyoza and tempura to choose from. For dessert finish with something that might not be traditionally Japanese, but is definitely traditionally delicious, the chocolate fondue. The warmed chocolate is served with strawberries, banana, marshmallows and a crispy wafer, it’ll definitely be a hit with the little ones.

Prices correct as at 27/10/12