Who among us isn’t in love with noodles? There seems to be a type for every mood: cold and glassy for the summer, submerged in steaming soup during the winter, or spicy for that ennui which can only be cured by orange-tinted lips and a burning throat.
#Japanese #noodles are particularly versatile. You’ve probably been recommended #ramen a thousand times over, but there are two other kinds of Japanese noodles to try: #soba (thin brown buckwheat noodles served with savoury sauce), and #udon (soft, thick noodles made from wheat flour). Here I’ll be sharing with you some of my favourite Japanese #restaurants on the lower North Shore, with a focus on soba and udon noodles.
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Japan City Chatswood Westfield
Oshare (stylish, fashionable) might be the best word to describe the timber-panelled walls, bright interior, and beautiful kitchenware shop featured inside the restaurant. Japan City is a favourite amongst locals: not so crammed as Hawker’s Lane, but still affordable (plus, they give large portions)! It’s located on level 6 of #Chatswood #Westfield, making it a calm retreat to reinvigorate you for an afternoon of shopping. They make their dishes fresh, so there might be a bit of a wait, but you can spend that time browsing the prettily fashioned ceramic crockery in the store.
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Although the noodle menu isn’t as diverse as other restaurants, they make up for it in the quality of their delicious #udon dishes. I had the wagyu udon – steaming hot, flavourful #soup with thinly-cut wagyu beef – which was perfect for a rainy winter’s day. I also recommend ordering a side dish or two to complement your meal!
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Kuru Japanese Restaurant St Leonards
Five minutes away from St Leonards station is a quiet, classy #Japanese restaurant that is devastatingly underrated. The interior is a fusion of modernity and traditional #Japanese flair: sleek wooden furniture, stone crockery, paper parasols and cherry blossoms. This place is slightly higher end, resulting in higher prices, but you’re guaranteed to stumble out of here stuffed to the brim.
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Kuru Japanese has a nice selection of vegetarian meals (considering the #Japanese fervour for fish), and I especially recommend their excellent, golden-crisped, vegetable tempura udon. They have an elegant #wine menu (as fancier places are wont to do), and also offer decadent multi-course meals for celebratory nights with friends – which we will definitely be coming back to try.
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Izakaya Samurai Neutral Bay
The first thing that impresses you when you step into Izakaya would be its moody, #atmospheric lighting, and distinctly homely vibe. There’s ample background noise – chatter, and the clinking of dishes – but each table retains its bubble of privacy (perfect for a date). The second thing that impresses you would be Izakaya’s astonishingly long, diverse menu; you’re guaranteed to be hit with major decision anxiety.
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Izakaya is one of those few, fantastic places that has cold #soba and #udon on their menu. This is very popular in #Japan during warmer weather, but for some reason so hard to find in #Sydney! Luckily, Izakaya delivers the best of the dish: long, thin soba #noodles with savoury-sweet mentsuyu (noodle soup base). A must-try.
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Fujiyama Noodle Bar Chatswood Manderin
Here lies one of the most popular lunch options at the Mandarin Centre Food Court! Fujiyama Noodle Bar offers an extremely wide array of #Japanese dishes, but the eponymous stars of the show are the noodles. They have all the pros of a food court stall (quick, affordable, and right below Hoyts Cinema), whilst also boasting a long menu and fresh ingredients.
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Both the #ramen and #udon options are surprisingly high quality, given the low prices, and you can never go wrong by topping off your noodles with an ontama (#Japanese poached egg, whose runny golden yolk adds creaminess to the noodles).
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YAYOI Chatswood
A wildly popular restaurant for those in the know. Yayoi is conveniently located next to a large carpark, one street away from the central Victoria Avenue, securing a quieter and cosier atmosphere. There’s a large table with individual seating for those eating out alone (fun fact: in recent years, ohitorisama – spending time with oneself – has been a rising social trend in Japan, with more and more people eating, shopping, and even doing karaoke alone).
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We ordered a side of spicy #karaage #chicken and almost had our tongues set aflame; the chicken was wholly covered in chili flakes and crushed pepper, making it extremely hot but nonetheless irresistible. Possibly controversial tip: try dunking the #karaage into soup first. This makes the spice sting less – and lends more flavour to your #udon!
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