The Unbearable Lightness of Being Hungry | A Sydney Food Blog

Okonomiyaki at Cafe Ish, Surry Hills

July 4th, 2009  |  Published in Uncategorized  |  4 Comments

I remember once being served Okonomiyaki by a waitress named ‘Sushi Susan’ – the Japanese pancake came accompanied by a small ‘pirate ship’ full of food. Around the table, we sliced up and shared the portions as a giant papier-mache squid hung above, like a marine chandelier.

Even if this hadn’t taken place in an eccentric Japanese restaurant in Canada, I think I’d still remember it, because I can single out every instance I’ve had okonomiyaki. It seems to be a menu-shy dish, it’s never listed as much as I’d like.

Luckily, it turns out you can get okonomiyaki for lunch at Cafe Ish (another long-time Sydney favourite that I blogged about last year; its highly original Japanese-meets-Australian cafe food is worth the return visits).

Cafe Ish’s version is a crusty, thick stack of cabbage-and-shallot-embedded goodness, topped with shredded nori, wasabi dijonnaise and plum sauce – a winter-perfect mix that makes me instantly declare, “more please”. You can get it like this for $11, or pile on extras (bacon & tasty cheese; salmon & organic feta).

There’s no pirate ship in sight but I think even Sushi Susan could consider crossing the sea (with her papier mache squid) for this one. Another nice okonomiyaki memory to bank away – and not the last one, hopefully.

Cafe Ish, Shop 2, 102 Albion St, Surry Hills NSW (02) 9281 1688

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4 Comments

  1. Amy says:

    okonomiyaki!!! you should definitely visit Osaka if you like okonomiyaki! it’s Osaka’s most famous food 🙂

  2. Anonymous says:

    YUUUUMMMMYYYYY i havent had it in a while, now i crave for it!!

    sydneyguyrojoe

  3. ii-ne-kore says:

    i totally agree!! okonomiyaki needs to pop up far more!!! i think almost my favourite food (oh geez that is a hrad call though…)

  4. Anonymous says:

    Hi guys
    new shop
    82 campbell st surry hills
    nights wed to sat
    7 days
    fully licensed
    organic and bio dynamic wines
    organic, native and handcrafted beers
    izakaya style night menu

    thanks
    josh
    cafe ish

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Hi, I'm Lee Tran Lam. When not blogging with my mouth full, I'm usually writing, presenting Local Fidelity on FBi radio, making zines, producing podcasts or continually breaking promises about how I really am gonna get through my book pile one day.

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This is a blog about eating and drinking in Sydney, Australia (with the odd cross-border or off-topic detour). BYO appetite.

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