Satsuki

Ever wanted to experience eating in a matchbox? Feels like a ramen joint in the heart of Tokyo, where you get pretty acquainted with the stranger next to you. Close enough you can smell whether they are wearing Paris’ Heiress or nothing at all.

Avoiding peak time, this tiny Japanese eatery makes efficient use of space with wall benches which look dangerously comfortable and inviting. Stereotypical Japanese paraphernalia litters the walls to provide that authentic charm. Unlike the size of the venue, the bento box is generous and neatly arranged in a plastic tray. Split by troughs, the pork and chive gyoza was soggy and squished, but nice, perhaps I left drowning in the vinegar for too long. The two small siu maai and a salad sit next door. You get a fine tuned miso too, plenty of seaweed, spring onion and sliced fried bean curd. The star attraction is the meat. Pieces of chicken ribs lightly coated in seasoned flour and deep fried, the Karage is moist and juicy. Heavily crumbed but fair to its proportion of meat is the crispy chicken, which is crunchy and drizzled in that sweet tonkotsu pork sauce. I think I heard the JR to Shibuya just roll past…

Tell your friends, but not too many, there might not be a seat left for you.

3 / 5 yums!

A second visit for the curry proved a little disappointing. It was mild, tasted authentic enough but was a little weak for me, and I’m not a fan of the over bombardment of carrots, potato and other vegetables which distort the true curry flavour. Chicken fried rice tasted mainly of tomato sauce, further accentuated by the squeeze on top of the omelette tent. Still, the bento boxes are a real winner and something I’ll return for.

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Where? 458 Waverley Rd, East Malvern

What? Average main - $10

Left to Right : Karage bento box, Crispy Chicken bento box, Katsu Curry, Chicken Fried Rice and Omelette