Posts tagged Sydney Food Blog Review

Tamageta Ya, Neutral Bay

Review September 16, 2015

Sydney Food Blog Review of Tamagta Ya, Neutral Bay

I have found my Mecca. A place where I can go to for some spiritual healing. Where I can congregate with other people similar to me and bask in the glory in something bigger than myself.

That something, is Japanese food culture, and that place? North Sydney.

Yuzu Honey Hi ball

I can’t believe that it’s taken me so long to discover this treasure trove of Japanese grocers, restaurants and general awesomeness. But now that I’ve found it, I’m not going.

AND I’M TELLINGGGG YOUUUUU…

Fried Crab Claw Croquette, $8.80

Grilled Engawa and Grilled Salmon Nigiri, $12.80

Hidden in an alcove of Japanese restaurants is Tamageta-ya. When you first walk into this cozy eatery, you are enthusiastically greeted by a chorus of Japanese staff members, as well as delicious smells emanating form the kitchen. Here, they serve up Japanese classics, with a few modifications.

Mentai Cheese Gyoza, $8.80

Salmon Avocado Roll, $5.80

Pop Corn Roll, $6.80

The maki rolls and nigiri are all served with black rice. Full of nutrients and higher in fibre than regular sushi rice, black rice is still maintains a soft stickiness that I expect from Japanese rice, and succeeds where brown rice fails. And bonus points because it actually has quite a bit more flavour than regular sushi rice, so double win right?

And let me take this opportunity to share a little public service announcement: you know how dipping a sushi roll into soy sauce just makes everything super salty and fall apart? Well, enter your friend – pickled ginger. Simply use the pickled ginger to brush on the soy, and voila! Reasonably seasoned sushi. #winning #lifehack

You’re welcome.

Chicken Cutlet on Egg, $13.80

Chicken Cutlet Curry Rice, $18.80

BBQ Eel Set, $19.80

Premium Wagyu Beef Steak, $10.80

Besides the sushi selection – I highly recommend the engawa for it’s amazing texture and tender flesh – they also have hearty mains like Japanese curry and a chicken cutlet on egg that’s served in what looks like a massive ladle.

How’s that for presentation?

The curry was my favourite, because you can take the girl out of Singapore but you can’t take the Singaporean out of the girl. Japanese curries are a little sweeter, but there’s just something about this massive serve of curry and rice that is comforting AF. There’s nothing like a huge bowl of noms to make me want to loosen the top button on my eating pants.

Psych! There is no button on my eating pants.

Tokyo Tower, $7.80

Chocolate banana sundae, $5.80

And of course dessert, because I’m greedy like that. The Tokyo Tower is a classic Japanese parfait, with cornflakes, ice cream, red bean paste, and mochi balls. Very pretty, very Japanese, and incredibly filling. The portion sizes here are certainly not small – don’t let the little old Japanese lady customers fool you! I had to be rolled out of there at the end of the night.

At Tamageta ya, there’s does seem to be an emphasis on the complete meal. They provide ample options from starters, to mains, to desserts, and even have an extensive drinks menu that feature classic Japanese cocktails made with quality whisky. They even have a lunch deal where it’s cheaper to order your food with a drink than just the dish by itself. I know, the math did my head in too, but it’s definitely the case!

Oh, and you’ve got your Washoku Lovers card? Flash it when you drop by for lunch and you’ll get to get the “Today’s dessert” for free! Any excuse to have dessert is a good excuse.

Washoku Lovers is a free membership programme that gives you perks to many Japanese restaurants in Sydney! We also have visited other restaurants participating in the Washoku Lovers programme, like Suminoya and Oiden! To find out more about the programme and sign up, visit www.washokulovers.com.

Insatiable Munchies dined as guests of Tamageta Ya.

Tamageta Ya
Shop 5, 197 Military Road
Neutral Bay, NSW
Phone: (02) 9953 6678
Website: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tamageta-ya/688951367784037

Singapore week! Cafe Mix, Shangri La

Review September 11, 2015

Sydney Food Blog Review of Cafe Mix, Shangri La

I have a confession: I have been so busy eating, that I’ve actually not had enough time to blog. I know, #FoodBloggerProblems, right?

But finally, FINALLY, I’m sitting down to write the recap of Shangri-La’s Singapore Week at Cafe Mix. Because there’s nothing like putting the words “Singapore” and “all-you-can-eat” together to get me all hot under the collar.

Oh look, proper satay sticks, and not the massive chicken breast monstrosities that we usually get in Sydney!

Each table also got a single Singapore Chilli Crab to share, which, while authentic in its sauce, was a bit of a waste of time on the size. See, with crab, there’s always a effort-to-enjoyment ratio. The meat that you get from all the work picking the crab clean should be worth the time taken to do it. And with this, it was just a bit, well, imbalanced.

And my golden ratio was violated.

The rest of the offerings – chicken rice? YAAASSS – was actually quite authentic and well-done, considering that it can be hard to get the specific ingredients and skill in Sydney. The chicken was silky and tender, and the condiment game was strong with this one.

The dessert spread was the most impressive of the lot, mixing traditional dessert items, like Pulut Hitam, a black glutinous rice and coconut porridge, with more modern takes like the pandan roulette. Oh and the pandan gelato? Smooth as silk and rich like a colonial master. Best pandan gelato I’ve had, well, ever.

It was a great way to ease some of the homesickness I’ve had for Singapore food, without the hassle of you know, actually leaving the country. And the best part of the Shangri-la wasn’t even that they flew the chefs in, oh no, it was the service. The waiters were omnipresent and invisible all at once, and missing cutlery and drinks mysteriously appear before we even think to ask for them.

Well done, Shangri-la, well done. *slow claps*

This meal was independently paid for.

Shayan Quarter @ Cafe Mix
176 Cumberland Street, The Rocks
Sydney, NSW
Phone: 02 9250 6206
Website: http://www.shangri-la.com/sydney/shangrila/dining/restaurants/cafe-mix/

Wok this way: Wok On Inn, Zetland

Review September 7, 2015

Sydney Food Blog Review of Wok On Inn, Zetland

I am not who you’d call an adventurer. Even living in Sydney, I’ve seen less of Australia than many tourists. Maybe even less of Sydney.

So when I got an invitation to Wok On Inn to check out their new store in Zetland, I thought it would be a great opportunity to explore another area of Sydney that I’ve never been to. And what better way than to do it with food?

Thai Fish Cakes

Wok On Inn has a good formula working for them and they’re sticking to it: pick and customize your ingredients and sauce, and it will be stir-fried to order. Simple, fast consistent.

Uncle’s Drunken Noodles

Korean Prawn Stir Fry

The Drunken Noodles come highly recommended, and seems to have changed slightly fro the last time I tried it. The sauce is spicier – never a bad thing – and darker than before, and I felt like it’s better mixed into the noodles. For the noodle/chilli-averse amongst you, the Korean Prawn Stir Fry provides a slightly sweet foil to white rice that grows on you the more you eat it. The food is starting to taste less distinctive between the dishes as opposed to before, but that may be to do with the fact that a lot of Asian recipes have ingridients that overlap, and if there was a recipe change then that might affect the uniqueness of the flavour combinations.

Otherwise, this eatery does a bustling lunch trade that’s kept flowing by friendly, bubbly staff, many of whom have Asian backgrounds themselves. And with the classy new apartments and snazzy new shopping centre, you do feel like you’re transported to a city within a city, just with a little less pollution.

Now if only Zetland wasn’t so darn far from the train station.

Insatiable Munchies dined as guests of Wok On Inn.

Wok On Inn
Shop T.09 East Village Shopping Centre
2 Defries Avenue, Zetland NSW 2017
Phone: (02) 8048 6320
Website: http://www.wokoninn.com.au

Shanghai’d! Taste of Shanghai, World Square

Review September 6, 2015

Sydney Food Blog Review: Taste of Shanghai, World Square

Dumpling frenzy is alive and well in Sydney, with every man and his dog attempting the iconic soup dumpling (xiao long bao) – little pastry wrapped parcels of engineering genius that explode with scalding hot soup the moment you bite into it.

What can I say? We’re gluttons for punishment.

Din Tai Fung has been known as the reigning lords of soup dumplings, and in Sydney, it seems, that claim has been challenged by fellow Chinese restaurant giant the Taste of Shanghai.

Pan fried pork dumpling

Of course, one cannot subsist on soup dumplings alone. Well, maybe we can, but probably shouldn’t. So you know, we order other things, too, just as a cover.

…and also cause I was starving.

Pan fried pork buns

Xiao Long Bao (Soup Dumplings)

Braised bamboo shoot

Stir Fried Green Beans with Pork Mince

Olive Fried Rice

Deep Fried Chinese Milk Dough

And the verdict? They do actually serve up a variety of dishes quite well. The service can be a bit impersonal, but really, I wasn’t expecting too much from the gruff manner of the people seating us anyway. At least they’re consistent, right?

The actual soup dumplings pale in comparision to Din Tai Fung, but it’s a good effort, and better than many other places who attempt this structural masterpiece of a dish. Notable dishes include the braised bamboo shoots, olive fried rice and pan-fried pork buns – the fluffy bun equivalent of the soup dumplings, complete with explosive hot soup.

One warning, though, for the high blood pressured amongst us: the food is incredibly uh, seasoned, so you’re probably going to either need lots of plain rice and tea to cut it, or need to drink an entire lagoon of water afterward.

Mermaid sold separately.

This meal was independently paid for.

Taste of Shanghai
Shop 9.07, World Square Shopping Centre
644 George Street
Sydney, NSW
Phone: 02 9261 8832
Website: www.tosau.com.au/

Green eggs and…Spice I am, Surry Hills

Review September 2, 2015 2 Comments

Sydney Food Blog Review of Spice I Am, Surry Hills

Salads aren’t always green. And you know what, some of the most delicious salads I’ve had, have been far from green.

The banana flower, for example, is an amazingly fresh ingredient that has astringent notes, making it a great base for toppings like shrimp, garlic and fried eschallots. At Spice I Am, it was a lovely pile of sweet, salty, spicy, crunchy, and all the goodness inbetween. A little pricey, though, at close to $30, but an incredibly satisfying solo lunch.

Definitely inspires me to maybe create some of my own…with less detriment to my wallet perhaps? I might sound cheap, but I still am trying to justify dropping a cool $30 for lunch when Haymarket is right around the corner. Maybe a trip to Campbell street is in order?

Maybe when I feel less poor. Haha

This meal was independently paid for.

Spice I Am
90 Wentworth Ave
Surry Hills, NSW
Phone: (02) 9280 0928
Website: http://spiceiam.com/spice-i-am-surry-hills

Get in my belly: Mr Crackles, Darlinghurst

Review August 31, 2015 1 Comment

Sydney Food Blog Review of Mr Crackles, Darlinghurst

So the thing is, when foodies get together, we never stop at just one lunch. Just like a hobbit, second and third lunches are quite socially expected, which led us to stop at Mr Crackles, after picking up our $2 rolls at Monsters Rolls!

Cause, uh, we need to more rolls to compare standards right?

Crackles Classic, $13

Yes, we’ll roll with that. So by strong recommendation, we got the Crackles Classic, $13, and the Sticky Pork Fries, $12, to share.

Sticky Pork Fries, $12

The verdict? The Crackles Classic rolls were…well, they were the victim of overhyping. The pork crackling was lovely, but the actual pork was a touch dry. It was photogenically stacked on top of the baguette, but that made it kind of hard to eat. It was meant to come with “vietnamese salad”, but there was nothing about it that was like the salads in the bahn mi from the obscure corner bakery that I’ve come to know and love.

The Sticky Pork Fries, on the other hand, were AN ABSOLUTE WINNER. Served with a creamy ranch dressing, the sweet tender pork coated crispy fries that just kept me going bite after bite. Definitely worth the trip just for that alone.

Maybe sticky is the key. Sticky err-thang.

This meal was independently paid for.

Mr Crackles
155 Oxford Street
Darlinghurst, NSW
Phone: 02 8068 2832
Website: www.mrcrackles.com.au

Rawr! Monsters Rolls, Darlinghurst

Review August 30, 2015

Sydney Food Blog Review of Monsters Rolls, Darlinghurst

Some girls like clothes shopping together. Some girls like doing each others’ hair. And the rest of us…well we eat together. And that’s pretty much what Christine and I decided to do on a day off together – check out the brand new Monsters Rolls on Oxford St!

It also helps that there was the promise of $2 rolls.

Beef Roll

Pork Roll

You can’t go wrong if it’s only going to cost $2 right?

Well, I don’t actually know what full price is going to be, but for $2, it was okay. Like in a maybe-if-I-was-in-the-area-and-didn’t-have-anything-planned sorta way. The bread was a touch underdone – which I don’t know whether was because it was designed that way, or because they had to just pump out so many rolls to keep up with the queue. The meat filling – we tried beef and pork – was quite flavourful, but was not quite able to balance out the lacklustre bread. A bit of a domino effect, but what can you do?

The salad and pickles weren’t quite as punchy as the Banh Mi that we are used to, and I was really looking for more tang in each mouthful. The Beef Roll provided slight amusement in tasting like a cheeseburger without the cheese, and much giggles ensued.

I’ve never patronised the Monsters Rolls Food Truck, but based on this first taste, it feels like they might have a bit of work to do, especially with Mr Crackles and Rolls Vietnam on the same street, providing stiff competition for the diners’ dollar. Maybe a re-visit in a few months is in order.

Unless something else comes up.

This meal was independently paid for.

Monsters Rolls
4/113-115 Oxford St
Darlinghurst, NSW 2010
Phone: 02 8354 1417
Website: http://monsterrolls.com.au

I saw the angel in the marble: Rengaya, North Sydney

Review August 19, 2015

Sydney Food Blog Review of Rengaya, North Sydney

“I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free.” – Michelangelo

I think I finally understand what Michelangelo meant. I mean, I was never really good at Art History, but when faced with such beauty, I think there’s no way I can miss what he meant.

Because surely, he was talking about the marble in a 9+ piece of wagyu beef right?

Premium Wagyu Beef Sashimi, $18.90

Wagyu literally translates to “Japanese cow”, and refers to a breed of cow that naturally produces meat with an amazing amount of marbling. And you know what this fat does? It gives you a super tender, deliciously melt-in-your-mouth piece of meat.

And I am TOTALLY addicted.

Rengaya, in North Sydney, has a wide selection of wagyu beef available for their Japanese tabletop BBQ, and we were totally spoilt when we got invited there for dinner!

Salmon Belly Sashimi, $17.90

Duck with BBQ Sauce, $24.90

Of course, wagyu wasn’t the only thing on the menu: Japanese restaurant staples like salmon sashimi and salads were also options for us to choose. The BBQ menu also had items like duck and – the all important litmus test for how they treat and store meat – offal.

Assorted Ambles, $19.90

Curiously labelled Assorted Ambles, the the offal in this case was a selection of intestine, tongue, liver and kidney. Marinading provided two functions – to flavour the meat and to help it last longer in storage. The result, is a series of mouthfuls that are deliciously savoury, and a perfect match to fluffy Japanese rice.

Premium Wagyu Amusement, $49.90

But the main event is always the wagyu, and there is a platter with an assortment of cuts to suit our needs. Because I don’t discriminate when it comes to meat. =)

Bright red wagyu so fresh you can eat it thinly sliced as sashimi – seriously, you should try it sometime. It’s so delicate! – These mouthfuls of meat pair especially well with the smoke off the hot coals.

Speaking of mouthfuls, it’s a very good idea to order the salad leaves with accompanying sauces, so that you can wrap up the meat, Korean BBQ style. Because…salad. And also because it’s freaking delicious. Don’t say I don’t tell you about the good stuff!

BBQ Squid, $13.90

Foil Yaki Garlic, $8.90

And if you’re afraid of getting attacked by vampires on the way home – or, you know, you just really like garlic – the Foil Yaki Garlic is an insanely good excuse for anti-vampire breath. Peeled garlic is basically cooked over the barbecue in melted butter, and the rich smokey flavour puts a satisfying end to any True Blood fantasies you might have ever had. Or will ever have.

Yukke Bibimba, $19.90

Not keen on barbecue? (What’s WRONG WITH YOU) Then there are also a la carte selections like the Yukke Bibimba, which, like the Korean Yukke, features amazingly fresh raw beef on a hot stone bowl of rice and vegetables. The Oxtail porridge was also rice and full of flavour, if not a touch heavy on the chilli oil.

Wa Dessert Platter

And just when we thought that we couldn’t eat anymore, dessert. Because…do I really need to justify why I’m such a fatty anymore? You read the blog right? In the haze of my resulting food coma, I remembered being pleasantly surprised by the creamy matcha creme brûlée – breaking open that caramel top always makes my day – and not much else.

This is definitely one of those places that you’d want to go with a group – otherwise be prepared to be so stuffed cause you’ll just want to order EVERYTHING – and if you’ve got your Washoku Lovers card on you, you can also get a portion of Premium Beef Rib (2pc) & Premium Beef Loin (2pc) for $20 ($35 RRP). Win-win, right?

Also, great way to test potential dates. If they are still interested after the Foil Yaki Garlic, they’re a keeper. =)

Insatiable Munchies dined as guests of Rengaya and Washoku Lovers.

Rengaya
73 Miller Street
North Sydney NSW
Phone: (02) 9929 6169
Website: www.yakiniku.com.au/rengaya/

Junk Lounge at Cruise Bar, Circular Quay

Review August 14, 2015

Back in the day, when Sam and I first started dating, we spent a lot of time by the waters near the Overseas Passenger Terminal. After all, the area was shut down due to renovations, meaning that we had a quiet area near the scenic waters to relax and get to know each other.

Well now that renovations are done and the dust has settled, Cruise Bar has reopened and looking to establish itself as a foodie destination. Touting a pan Asian menu on its second level (named Junk Lounge, named after the old world Hong Kong ships), Cruise Bar is jumping in with both feet…by offering Hainanese Chicken Rice.

DUN DUN DUNNNNN.

Because nothing throws down the gauntlet to a Singaporean like putting Hainanese Chicken Rice on the menu.

Lotus root chips with a spicy yuzu salsa, $9

We started off with a selection from the bar menu, because it’s never as much fun when you go straight to the main event. 😉

King Mushroom with Miso Glaze, $5

Tsukune. Chicken on sugarcane with warm tosa-zu & egg yolk, $4

Chef Richard Slarp – previously of Saké – clearly is a master of Japanese flavours and techniques. The Lotus Root Chips with Spicy Yuzu Salsa, $9, is a classy take on the beer snack, with salty crisps and a fresh, tangy topping spiced lightly with yuzu kosho: a Japanese condiment made from yuzu (a citrus that’s like a love child between grapefruit, lemons and oranges) and green chillies. Like nachos, but lighter, and Japanese.

The skewers of King Mushroom and Miso Glaze and Tsukune (chicken mince skewers) are also on point, with the chicken mince fall-apart tender and glazed with tosa-zu, a vinegar dressing that adds a light acidity to the mouthful. Like fairies prancing across your tastebuds. The yolk was sadly missing, but a quick chat with Richard revealed that he didn’t want to waste a whole chicken egg yolk on a single serving of skewer, which while understandable, kinda sucks because it means that you’re missing part of the experience. Especially when it’s printed on the menu.

Maybe a minimum order perhaps?

Black bean beef rib with kimchi steam bun, $6

Rice steamed roll with wood ear mushroom & tofu. Served with ginger, soy & sesame, $4

Other items also make a decent showing, with an impressive attempt at steamed rice rolls, otherwise known as cheong fun. You know those silky, translucent sheets of rice noodles that get rolled up with all sorts of amazing goodies at yumcha like a fragile asian parcel? Yeah, like that. Sure, it isn’t quite as thin and delicate as what we get from dim sum houses, but a spectacular effort for attempting such a difficult and finicky dish nonetheless. The result is something that is more similar to Vietnamese rice paper rolls, and that’s definitely a result that I can live with.

Pork belly banh mi slider with pickled daikon, cucumber & shallots, $7

The food inspired by other parts of Asia, however, doesn’t fair quite so well. The Pork belly Banh Mi Slider, $7, is served on a brioche bun, which while buttery and rich, isn’t what you want from a banh mi. Vietnamese pork rolls have always been served up on fluffy French style bread, with a crust that explodes all over you the moment you take that first bite. The super soft brioche bun seems like a misguided attempt at fulfilling the public’s expectations for both a burger and a pork roll, and disappoints on both counts. The sous vide pork belly with the bun ended up eating really dry, and has none of the juicy – sometimes bordering of sloppy – bite that you want from your pork roll! Hint of mayo, no pate flavour… Needless to say this one was left unfinished.

Hainan chicken rice with chilli, ginger & crispy onions, $36

And the main event: the Hainanese Chicken Rice, $36. Deceptively simple, the components to an authentic chicken rice are many: the rice, the chicken, the chilli, the ginger condiment, and the soup. The chicken, in this case, was overcooked. Traditionally, the chicken is poached in the residual heat of a big vat of chicken stock, and then unceremoniously plunged into ice water to halt the cooking process, resulting in silky flesh and a jelly-like quality to the white skin. Here, the chicken is simmered in chicken stock, and then left to cool in said stock, resulting in overcooked chicken. Added to the fact that chickens in Australia are super lean compared to those in Asia, you have a pretty dry bite. The rice and chilli was actually pretty spot on. The rice was cooked in chicken fat and stock- as all chicken rice should be – and the chilli (a fresh mixture of chilli and ginger pounded to a paste in a mortar and pestle) was the right mix of spice and freshness, and actually enhanced the experience. The ginger condiment was non-existent, and the soup carried a strange aftertaste of strong soy. Which while slightly out of place for my tastes, is perfectly acceptable in the variations of the dish.

Overall, not something I would revisit personally, though for $36, it is a fairly generous portion size and I love the theatrics of serving up the clear soup in a French press, so that you can savour it however you like.

Sesame Ball with split bean, coconut & caramel, $8

Dessert came in the form of a MASSIVE sesame covered ball, with a sticky crust and a fluffy interior reminiscent of mung bean pastries of my youth. The coconut cream and strawberry pieces transport you to a warm holiday spot, and was actually pretty satisfying shared between two people.

I can see Cruise Bar as a great place to spend a Friday night out with friends – the small bites went down pretty well, and the small sizes allow you to pick and choose exactly what you’d like to have. They have some teething problems, sure, but I think that comes with any restaurant that is freshly opened. For example, the waitress, while cordial and polite, didn’t seem to have knowledge of the specifics of the menu – but that can be trained with time – and actually took down one of my orders wrong. Which is kinda not cool considering it was a pretty empty restaurant when we went. The chopsticks-only place setting proved slightly problematic when we were served rice with soup, and the very wide share table made it a touch awkward to share food, sometimes.

But it IS beautifully decorated, and looked out into the twinkling lights of the city, so the you can see just how much potential the experience could have! Just a few tweaks over time, and I’m sure it’ll be spectacular. But in the meantime, go the Japanese inspired dishes. Trust me.

Insatiable Munchies dined as guests of Cruise Bar.

Junk Lounge at Cruise Bar
Level 2 Overseas Passenger Terminal
Circular Quay West, The Rocks, NSW
Phone: 02 9251 1188
Website: www.cruisebar.com.au/

Training like a pro: Sushi Train, Neutral Bay

Review August 12, 2015 1 Comment

Sydney Food Blog Review of Sushi Train, Neutral Bay

Sushi trains have always been a guilty pleasure for me. In Singapore, they are associated with low quality sushi, as the price wars for who can offer up the cheapest plate takes its toll. But does it stop me? No, not really, because just like an addict, I NEED MY FIX.

Now I’ve had my fair share of ups and downs with sushi trains in Sydney, but when I’m promised authentic sushi in this convenient delivery format?

Well, we’ve established that I’m an addict right?

First sign that we were going to have a good relationship? KEWPIE SACHETS.

Yes you heard me. Little sachets of delicious tangy Japanese mayonnaise just circling the sushi train conveyor belt, beckoning you with its siren’s call of creamy decadence. If nothing else, this has sold me.

But it didn’t actually need the kewpie to up the ante. (Who am I kidding, we all need kewpie.) The sushi was fresh and well balanced, and actually fairly good value for money.

No, they didn’t skimp on the good stuff, like some trains out there.

They even had the more creative items like Seared Scallops with Miso Garlic. Crunchy shards of fried garlic add a whole new dimension to an otherwise light and fresh sushi roll, and created moreish bites that kept me coming back for more.

But maybe, uh, keep a few mints on hand?

But if the fried garlic isn’t your thing, there’s also the usual favourites on hand, like the various nigiris, maki rolls and gunkans.

For the hot food lovers amongst us, there are options like
gyozas and agedashi eggplant, but be warned, it doesnt quite compare to the amazing sushi.

Other than it being slightly out of the way, Sushi Train in Neutral Bay actually makes for a great date night destination. Lush dark wood fills the interior, and the food is slightly exotic but not too intimidating. The staff are friendly and non-intrusive, and you know that everything is going to be of consistently good quality. Is it the best selection of sushi I’ve ever had? No. But it sure strikes a fantastic balance between quality, value for money, ambience and accessibility.

And I would know, because I eat A LOT of sushi.

What strikes me as odd is that it’s not quite the same as other Sushi Train outlets that I’ve been to – there is a very marked difference in standards, and it almost seems like this one is a different restaurant entirely to the rest. In a good way, of course.

But who am I to question it? Just pass me the next plate!

Washoku Lovers is a free membership programme that gives you perks to many Japanese restaurants in Sydney! If you have your black Washoku Lovers card, flash it at Sushi Train Neutral Bay to get a free serving of sake! We also have visited other restaurants participating in the Washoku Lovers programme, like Suminoya and Oiden! To find out more about the programme and sign up, visit www.washokulovers.com.

Posts tagged Sydney Food Blog Review

Tamageta Ya, Neutral Bay

Insatiable Munchies dined as guests of Tamageta Ya.

Tamageta Ya
Shop 5, 197 Military Road
Neutral Bay, NSW
Phone: (02) 9953 6678
Website: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tamageta-ya/688951367784037

Singapore week! Cafe Mix, Shangri La

This meal was independently paid for.

Shayan Quarter @ Cafe Mix
176 Cumberland Street, The Rocks
Sydney, NSW
Phone: 02 9250 6206
Website: http://www.shangri-la.com/sydney/shangrila/dining/restaurants/cafe-mix/

Wok this way: Wok On Inn, Zetland

Insatiable Munchies dined as guests of Wok On Inn.

Wok On Inn
Shop T.09 East Village Shopping Centre
2 Defries Avenue, Zetland NSW 2017
Phone: (02) 8048 6320
Website: http://www.wokoninn.com.au

Shanghai’d! Taste of Shanghai, World Square

This meal was independently paid for.

Taste of Shanghai
Shop 9.07, World Square Shopping Centre
644 George Street
Sydney, NSW
Phone: 02 9261 8832
Website: www.tosau.com.au/

Green eggs and…Spice I am, Surry Hills

This meal was independently paid for.

Spice I Am
90 Wentworth Ave
Surry Hills, NSW
Phone: (02) 9280 0928
Website: http://spiceiam.com/spice-i-am-surry-hills

Get in my belly: Mr Crackles, Darlinghurst

This meal was independently paid for.

Mr Crackles
155 Oxford Street
Darlinghurst, NSW
Phone: 02 8068 2832
Website: www.mrcrackles.com.au

Rawr! Monsters Rolls, Darlinghurst

This meal was independently paid for.

Monsters Rolls
4/113-115 Oxford St
Darlinghurst, NSW 2010
Phone: 02 8354 1417
Website: http://monsterrolls.com.au

I saw the angel in the marble: Rengaya, North Sydney

Insatiable Munchies dined as guests of Rengaya and Washoku Lovers.

Rengaya
73 Miller Street
North Sydney NSW
Phone: (02) 9929 6169
Website: www.yakiniku.com.au/rengaya/

Junk Lounge at Cruise Bar, Circular Quay

Insatiable Munchies dined as guests of Cruise Bar.

Junk Lounge at Cruise Bar
Level 2 Overseas Passenger Terminal
Circular Quay West, The Rocks, NSW
Phone: 02 9251 1188
Website: www.cruisebar.com.au/

Training like a pro: Sushi Train, Neutral Bay

Insatiable Munchies dined as guests of Sushi Train Neutral Bay and Washoku Lovers.

Sushi Train
306-308 Military Road
Cremorne, NSW
Phone: (02) 9908 8891
Website: www.sushitrain.com.au/

Insatiable Munchies dined as guests of Tamageta Ya.

Tamageta Ya Shop 5, 197 Military Road Neutral Bay, NSW Phone: (02) 9953 6678 Website: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tamageta-ya/688951367784037

This meal was independently paid for.

Shayan Quarter @ Cafe Mix 176 Cumberland Street, The Rocks Sydney, NSW Phone: 02 9250 6206 Website: http://www.shangri-la.com/sydney/shangrila/dining/restaurants/cafe-mix/

Insatiable Munchies dined as guests of Wok On Inn.

Wok On Inn Shop T.09 East Village Shopping Centre 2 Defries Avenue, Zetland NSW 2017 Phone: (02) 8048 6320 Website: http://www.wokoninn.com.au

This meal was independently paid for.

Taste of Shanghai Shop 9.07, World Square Shopping Centre 644 George Street Sydney, NSW Phone: 02 9261 8832 Website: www.tosau.com.au/

This meal was independently paid for.

Spice I Am 90 Wentworth Ave Surry Hills, NSW Phone: (02) 9280 0928 Website: http://spiceiam.com/spice-i-am-surry-hills

This meal was independently paid for.

Mr Crackles 155 Oxford Street Darlinghurst, NSW Phone: 02 8068 2832 Website: www.mrcrackles.com.au

This meal was independently paid for.

Monsters Rolls 4/113-115 Oxford St Darlinghurst, NSW 2010 Phone: 02 8354 1417 Website: http://monsterrolls.com.au

Insatiable Munchies dined as guests of Rengaya and Washoku Lovers.

Rengaya 73 Miller Street North Sydney NSW Phone: (02) 9929 6169 Website: www.yakiniku.com.au/rengaya/

Insatiable Munchies dined as guests of Cruise Bar.

Junk Lounge at Cruise Bar Level 2 Overseas Passenger Terminal Circular Quay West, The Rocks, NSW Phone: 02 9251 1188 Website: www.cruisebar.com.au/

Insatiable Munchies dined as guests of Sushi Train Neutral Bay and Washoku Lovers.

Sushi Train 306-308 Military Road Cremorne, NSW Phone: (02) 9908 8891 Website: www.sushitrain.com.au/

Tamageta Ya
Shop 5, 197 Military Road
Neutral Bay, NSW
Phone: (02) 9953 6678
Website: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tamageta-ya/688951367784037

Shayan Quarter @ Cafe Mix
176 Cumberland Street, The Rocks
Sydney, NSW
Phone: 02 9250 6206
Website: http://www.shangri-la.com/sydney/shangrila/dining/restaurants/cafe-mix/

Wok On Inn
Shop T.09 East Village Shopping Centre
2 Defries Avenue, Zetland NSW 2017
Phone: (02) 8048 6320
Website: http://www.wokoninn.com.au

Taste of Shanghai
Shop 9.07, World Square Shopping Centre
644 George Street
Sydney, NSW
Phone: 02 9261 8832
Website: www.tosau.com.au/

Spice I Am
90 Wentworth Ave
Surry Hills, NSW
Phone: (02) 9280 0928
Website: http://spiceiam.com/spice-i-am-surry-hills

Mr Crackles
155 Oxford Street
Darlinghurst, NSW
Phone: 02 8068 2832
Website: www.mrcrackles.com.au

Monsters Rolls
4/113-115 Oxford St
Darlinghurst, NSW 2010
Phone: 02 8354 1417
Website: http://monsterrolls.com.au

Rengaya
73 Miller Street
North Sydney NSW
Phone: (02) 9929 6169
Website: www.yakiniku.com.au/rengaya/

Junk Lounge at Cruise Bar
Level 2 Overseas Passenger Terminal
Circular Quay West, The Rocks, NSW
Phone: 02 9251 1188
Website: www.cruisebar.com.au/

Sushi Train
306-308 Military Road
Cremorne, NSW
Phone: (02) 9908 8891
Website: www.sushitrain.com.au/