Having traveled to Japan twice now, I was recently reminded of its allure at the media launch of a new Tokyo Lunch initiative.
From now until 25 February 2014, Sydneysiders are invited to taste Tokyo at 8 different restaurants, namely, Azuma Restaurant, Blancharu by Yomo, Izakaya Masuya, Japan City Eat Street, Japaz, Ocean Room, Ooh Rice and Sake Restaurant.
Mr Katsuji Tochino, Tourism Representative of the City of Tokyo in Sydney said they hope the initiative will create a buzz around the different types of cuisine available in Tokyo.
“Tokyo is the ultimate foodie destination and for too long Australians have been under the impression that to eat well in Japan’s capital you need to pay top dollar,” Mr Tochino said.
“We have created this promotion to highlight that not only can you experience amazing Japanese food at any price, but that Tokyo has its only specialities that stands it apart from other regions of Japan.”
The launch event was held at Ocean Room and although we were treated to a few additional dishes to the Tokyo Lunch menu, for $36, I think they’re nailed it in terms of quality and quantity.
Chotto collection – a taste of Ocean Room’s signature small creations: cold smoked Sydney rock oyster, anchovy and tomato sorbet, yellow fin tuna tartare, crispy king prawn with wasabi aioli and chilled modern ochazuke
Essence of Tokyo, a special creation by executive chef Raita Noda for the media launch: this is a selection of produce from the land (wagyu, foie gras and duck) and sea (cured cod, uni, abalone, and salmon roe) combined fresh and sealed in a tin in the kitchen, to reflect the city’s complexity
Edo-mae sushi, a collection of classic and modern Tokyo style nigiri sushi
Today’s selection: Tuna, imperador, Spanish mackerel, herring, trout, prawn, conger eel, tamago
Summer ichigo – a sample of a sweet Tokyo summer: strawberry mascarpone with sweetened beetroot, strawberry chips, pop-soda strawberry & minty lemon air
Tokyo Lunch menus
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[tab title=”1″]Tokyo Skytree pork katsu sandwich ($12) – lunch or dinner
Monja style BBQ pork bun ($12.50) – lunch or dinner
Japaz
165 Wycombe Road, Neutral Bay, NSW
Phone: (02) 9904 0688
Web: japaz.com.au
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[tab title=”2″]Tokyo Izakaya set ($18.80) – lunch or dinner
Tekone sushi with marinated tuna, oden, yakitori and karinto manju with fruit
Izakaya Masuya
12 O’Connell Street, Sydney, NSW
Phone: (02) 9233 8181
Web: masuyainternational.com.au/en/izakayamasuya
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[tab title=”3″]Tokyo sukiyaki set ($45) – lunch
Mini sukiyaki hotpot, sushi, side, raw egg, rice, miso soup and dessert
Tokyo sukiyaki dinner course ($66, from 2 pax) – dinner
Azuma
Level 1, Chifley Plaza
2 Chifley Square, corner of Phillip Street and Hunter Street, Sydney NSW
Phone: (02) 9222 9960
Web: azuma.com.au
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[tab title=”4″]Tokyo wagyu burger set ($15.90) – lunch or dinner
Japan City Eat Street
Shop 605, Westfield Shopping Centre
1 Anderson Street, Chatswood, NSW
Phone: (02) 8065 3640
Web: japancity.com.au
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[tab title=”5″]Tokyo prawn tempura chazuke ($23) or as a set with green tea pudding and coffee ($31) – lunch
Tokyo prawn tempura chazuke course ($42) – dinner
Ocean trout carpaccio, prawn tempura chazuke and green tea pudding
Blancharu by Yomo
Shop 1, 21 Elizabeth Bay Road, Elizabeth Bay, NSW
Phone: (02) 9360 3555
Web: blancharu.com.au
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[tab title=”6″]Edomae-sushi plate and strawberry dessert ($26) – lunch
Ocean Room
Ground level, Overseas Passenger Terminal
Circular Quay West, The Rocks Sydney, NSW
Phone: (02) 9252 9585
Web: oceanroomsydney.com
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[tab title=”7″]Tokyo Skytree chicken karaage curry ($10) – lunch
Ooh Rice!?
12b Hunter Connection Food Court
7 – 13 Hunter Street, Sydney, NSW
Phone: (02) 9223 9962
Web: facebook.com/ooh.rice
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[tab title=”8″]Tokyo teishoku ($33) – lunch or dinner
Grilled miso-marinated fish, chicken karaage, sushi and dessert
Sake Restaurant
12 Argyle Street, The Rocks, Sydney, NSW
Phone: (02) 9259 5656
Web: sakerestaurant.com.au
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For more information about the Tokyo Lunch campaign, go to tokyocp2013.org.au/tokyo-lunch