the sneaky pigeon: Suisen, 6054

Tuesday 7 February 2012

Suisen, 6054

You wouldn’t know it existed unless you frequented the area, in fact maybe not even then – I asked the lady working at the Op Shop on the same street for directions and she hadn’t heard of any Japanese in Bassendean. Another lady browsing the shop overheard and excitedly told me where to go, calling after me; “they do the BEST sushi!”.

From the front, like most hidden Japanese take-aways, it’s pretty "meh", wedged between a butcher and a bakery. Inside it’s very basic but there’s still an inviting and serene air. Pale green walls, saxophone tunes and bamboo matting shielding the interior from the outside mundane and heat. I can't put my finger on it, but it's unexplainably and quietly ambient.

The menu is pretty typical Japanese – sushi rolls ($6.50 - $6.80 for 5 pcs and $13.00 - $13.80 for 10 pcs), Nigiri, Sashimi, Bento sets, Japanese curry, Donburi, noodle soup and fried noodle dishes too. Something I haven’t seen on many take-away menus is the grilled Snapper set ($20) and “Shio Saba (salted Mackerel) Set” ($16.00).

I waited with a copy of Japanese Australian News...not that I could read any of it

I ordered two pieces of Salmon Nigiri, a miso soup and a cooked tuna and cucumber hand roll which they made up for me on special request. I got a side of pickled ginger too for an extra $1 – a little steep, but the overall the price – about $14 wasn’t too bad I thought.

Tuna hand roll with cucumber, salmon nigiri

The Salmon Nigiri was especially fresh and fleshy and the cooked tuna was awesome too.

The walls are dotted with pictures of custom-made sushi which you can have made up on pre-order and for parties – like heart shaped sushi rolls, interesting sashimi presentations and other random eats like batter fin? Still not quite sure what that is...

rolls and entrees ready to go

At the counter was a quirky collection of Japanese bits and bobs like hair accessories and character key rings. They also had some copies of Japanese Australian News - a nice touch.