Konnichiwa Japan

The streets of Sydney were flooded with waves of blue, pink and red as hundreds flocked to Darling Harbour last Saturday for a Japanese feast just outside the new Tumbalong Park complex. For fans of the nation that brought us sushi, anime and the samurai, this was the place to be.

As far as the eye could see, people were decked out in kimonos and Geta (traditional wooden shoes) patiently waiting in line to try some of the delicious goodies available at the Japanese Matsuri Festival 2011. The event was organised to thank Australians for their support in helping to reconstruct Japan after the recent tsunami disasters. Various Japanese restaurants from around the Sydney area had set up shop to celebrate and promote this wonderful cuisine.

Hot on the menu were fresh Goyoza dumplings from WPM Japan. The skilled hands of the chefs worked rapidly to create these delicious morsels, which were wrapped, steamed and served with soy sauce in a wooden bowl ($5).

The next stall across, Yokozuna Japanese Cuisine, dished up an even heartier fare. Keeping the gourmet foodie in mind, the friendly crew prepared their signature dish of grilled Hokkaido Scallops with Tartare Sauce ($10), sourced directly from Japan. A wonderfully simple way of cooking such high-quality seafood. Also on offer was Grilled Chicken with Miso, Teriyaki Chicken and an absolutely melt-in-the mouth Wagyu Beef Yakiniku ($8), all served with genuine Akita Kome Rice, which I am told is of a very high quality. It was like eating little white pearls and had much more complex flavour than the generic ‘sushi’ rice.

The event was made even more authentic by the various performers on the day who presented cultural dances and demonstrated calligraphy, all to the serene sounds of traditional string and wind instruments.

At last it was time to satisfy my sweet-tooth with the delicious teas and ice-creams from Sushi Tei, who served up unique Matcha, or green-tea, lattes and ice-cream. These were artfully presented and the cooling ice-cream came cocooned within a wafer-thin crepe-like layer. Soft and delicate, the natural strength of the tea was highly emphasised and proved to be surprisingly refreshing.

All in all a wonderfully prepared day with exciting and unique flavours to explore.

For more information visit:

Yokozuna Japanese Cuisine

159 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst, NSW

02 9357 7808

Sushi Tei

1 Chiefly Square, Martin Place, Sydney, NSW

02 9232 7288

127A Liverpool Street, Sydney, NSW

02 9283 7881

Brendon D'Souza a.k.a. The Smiling Chef