I love Ichi Ichi Ku. I love it so much that I've been here four times since I first discovered it a couple of weeks ago, and my heart longs to return. It's a dimly lit and intimate space, lodged next to a laundromat on Park Street, in South Yarra. The food here is a unique fusion of Japanese and Modern Australian cusine, with an open-concept kitchen that gives you a glimpse of a few Japanese chefs skillfully slicing and rolling sushi. If you're looking for a place to escape to for a low key lunch without having to travel too far away from the city, this one comes highly recommended :-)
I'm not usually a fan of udon (AUD$17), but this I like. Thick, fat noodles in a flavoursome broth with chicken and prawn tempura - especially satisfying to tuck into after a long day. This dish really set itself apart from all the other too-salty, too-oily and too-one-dimensional-tasting udon bowls out there. Here's a thought: can one really eat udon without making the mandatory slurping noises?? Do you slurp or do you not? I generally try to keep the slurping to a minimum (like the lady that I am, lol) but I know some people who really go to town with it and slurp the hell out of it.
Next! These salmon sushi slices (AUD$20) were a real joy to eat. Sweet Japanese rice, teamed with mayo, heaps of fish roe and a dash of soy sauce provided the simple backdrop for the seared salmon to stand out. That said, I felt like the price of this was slightly on the high side, considering that these babies are gone in a flash.
But it was great sushi, and good sushi usually isn't dirt cheap.
But it was great sushi, and good sushi usually isn't dirt cheap.
And here's the Salmon Teriyaki (AUD$15), which is lightly brushed with the most perfect teriyaki sauce and laid on a small bed of Japanese rice. This is nourishment in a bowl. It's the answer to cold windy nights, when all you want to do is huddle up inside with a cup of tea and warm your hands with a bowl of this meaty goodness.
So simple and delicious. The chunks of salmon fall apart in your mouth with just the right amount of smokiness and makes me feel like jumping up and going, "DAMN. YOU NAILED IT." to the Japanese dudes in the kitchen.
But because I would probably look like a total lunatic, I restrain myself and make a face that resembles me crying tears of joy to my unfortunate dining partner and move on. That is, until I get to school the next day and start sharing with complete strangers what a *fine* teriyaki bowl this is!!!
So simple and delicious. The chunks of salmon fall apart in your mouth with just the right amount of smokiness and makes me feel like jumping up and going, "DAMN. YOU NAILED IT." to the Japanese dudes in the kitchen.
But because I would probably look like a total lunatic, I restrain myself and make a face that resembles me crying tears of joy to my unfortunate dining partner and move on. That is, until I get to school the next day and start sharing with complete strangers what a *fine* teriyaki bowl this is!!!
I couldn't leave without at least trying one of their desserts, so I went for the black sesame cheesecake (AUD$7.50) after hearing my friend Eve rave about it. If you like your desserts unique and low on sugar, try this. If you like the sugary stuff, TRY IT ANYWAY. It's rich, palatable, and smooth as a mofo - this was less of a cake and more 'black sesame and cheese paste with biscuit base', but awesome nonetheless. Cue applause! I've had great service and even greater food every time I've been here (save for an unimpressive salmon salad which I do not recommend ordering), and I think it's worth making the trip down for some old fashioned good food. But, if you're feeling lazy, they also offer a delivery and pick up service, so there's no excuse to not get some takeout this weekend!
Ichi Ichi Ku Izakaya
119 Park St
South Yarra, VIC 3141
Tel: 03 9820 9119
Ichi Ichi Ku Izakaya
119 Park St
South Yarra, VIC 3141
Tel: 03 9820 9119
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