Momiji, 6104

Momiji happens to serve the most spectacular sashimi I've ever eaten. It also happens to be the cheapest, as well as the most ample. Fleshy cuts of raw fish that sparkle with ocean-to-table freshness. More than a dozen pieces of assorted sashimi go for around $13. Other mains range from $6 to $15. Simply amazing quality and portions, at next to nix prices!

Salad, miso, mixed sashimi and rice

Mixed sashimi gleaming with ocean to table freshness

The owner is an interesting sort. Call him the Sushi Nazi. Don't meander over the menu and definitely don't try negotiate any swapsies, add-ons or switches, you will just regret you ever asked. And perhaps don't bring young children because you will be turned away. I joke not. It's his way or the highway!

Dine-in...but really he wants you to take-away

From the street

Part of the Momiji experience is encountering the owners eccentric personality. Those who abide by his rules will have no problem with service. And anyhow, Momiji is a rare gem, a gift. And didn't your mother tell you to never look a gift horse in the mouth?

Food: 4/5 (Made fresh, fleshy chunks of well-sourced sashimi)

Service: 2.5/5 (Don't take it to heart. Amusingly blunt.)

Ambience: 2.5/5 (Clean, spacious, no frills)

Value: 5/5 (At least a dozen pieces of high calibre sashimi for $13 OMG)

Is Donburi, 6003

Is Donburi is another notch OnWilliam’s belt, worth bragging about. They’ve only been around a little while but Is Donburi has already norm’ed its way into savvy Northbridge dweller lunch schedules. And why wouldn’t you make this a regular with what’s on offer? A clean well-lit dining space, take-away meals at the window, speedy service, complimentary Japanese tea and Miso, and delicious Japanese meals. 

The menu - what a selection! All the usual suspects are going, with special attention to Donburi, which takes the form of Teriyakis, katsu, kimchi, don with egg, seafood Chirashis and more. 

Teriyaki Salmon Don, $15.80

We tucked into the Teryaki Salmon Don (above), $15.80 - a substantial serve of glazed pink salmon with a variety of salady bits atop steamed rice. And also the Seafood Chirashi Don, $15.50 – a mix of fresh salmon, king fish, tuna prawn, squid, an exciting tapestry of mixed veggies and a zingy fruit based dressing. The raw fish was A-grade and Donburi overall was very fresh.

Seafood Chirashi Don $15.50

Of course, no Japanese eatery is complete without at least one novelty. Get a load of their Spring roll sushi rolls :D - 

Food: 4/5 (fresh, varietal, lengthy menu)
Value: 4/5 (too pricey and modern for the ‘cheap and cheerful’ category but for the freshness and size, very good bang for your buck)
Service: 4/5 (open 7 days, fast, plus free tea and miso soup)
Ambience: 4/5 (clean open space with access to decent William St. people watching) 

Nobu, 6100

Three words: Black Cod Miso. Whatever you do, make sure you recite these words to your waiter. A Nobu dining experience is not absolute without this unimaginably perfect piece of fish. At $46 a pop, the signature cod is marinated for three days and the result is delicate, fall-apart, buttery, honeyed, ambrosial....so....friggen...good. 

The signature Black Cod Miso

The rest of the dishes were beautiful but not outstanding. I wasn't ooh-ing or ahh-ing after every dish like I was here. For fine fining establishments in Perth, there are a few others that I would sooner choose for a special occasion. 

Baby Artichoke Salad

Before the holy Black Cod Miso, we also tried the shaved Baby Artichoke Salad- made interesting with truffle ($25); and the Ocean Trout Sashimi with Jalapenos ($26). I loved the Latin American twist. 

Yellowtail Sashimi with Jalapeno

For our 'hot' plates we opted for the special - Watermelon Soft Shell Crab – a wicked blend of flavours and textures and a spectacle for the eyes! Who would have thought of serving watermelon warm? Nobu, apparently! 

Watermelon Soft Shell Crab

After reading about the wonders of the Tuna Sashimi, I had to try one piece. The tuna was succulent, but $7 is a bit over the top for a raw piece of fish. 

Tuna Sashimi x 1

Our cocktails - Mia Margarita (Tequila Reposada, Honey, Passionfruit Purée, Lemon Juice & Shichimi) and Champagne cocktail (Grand Marnier, Peach Liqueur, Pineapple Purée & a Champagne Float); both $18 and both absolutely delicious! The champagne kind was especially unique. Definitely go for one of the Summery cocktails over other libations on offer.

As every special occasion dinner should end, we finalized our meal with dessert. I had the Bento Box - chocolate fondant cake with green tea ice cream and my compardre had the Ichigo
 -Strawberry Pannacotta, Yuzu Granita & Lychee – both $15. The zest, fruity, yet creamy pannacotta martini was a win. My fondant was seamlessly fondant-y but the chocoholic in me wanted more richness. 

Ichigo

Bento Box

Nobu was a pleasant experience but I expected more “Wow” for my buck. If I find myself in short radius of Nobu again, Ill sit at the bar, sip one of their Caribbean cocktails, order a couple of sashimi tacos and indulge in the luxe surrounds. 

Food: 4/5
Ambience; 4/5
Service: 4/5
Value: 3/5

Nao Japanese, 6000

So I haven’t tried a tonne of Ramen in my time, but I can still say with confidence that this may well be the best Ramen Perth has to offer. The steady Japanese patronage is one indication and simply devouring (and it will be a 'devouring') a flavoursome bowl of Nao noodle soup is another. It doesn't take a connoisseur to tell that this is DAMN GOOD RAMEN.  Unlike many noodle eateries, Nao make their Ramen noodles every morning inside their little shop. This is the simple secret.

Green noodle in spicy broth with added leek

You will choose from a delightful array of components. The broth - miso, salty, spicy or soy. My favourite is the miso – a must if you have an affinity for miso soup. The spicy is tasty too. Then you choose your noodles – green (laced with spinach), red (peppered with chilli), plain or chunky egg. Then you can add on a selection of different vegetable and meat toppings. It’s like bubble tea noodles! If you don't feel like noodle soup, the sushi is fresh and fast too.

Teryaki chicken susi - so fresh

Green noodle in miso with chicken and added leek

 Once I finished face planting my first bowl of Nao, I took a few beats to look around and take in my surroundings. I really enjoy the fit out- it’s quietly special. Nothing show stopping, but its cosy and cutely Japanese. I'm so happy to have found this place. My life is Nao complete.

Green noodle in spicy broth with chicken

*Note: closed Saturdays, open Sunday

Food: 5/5
Ambience: 4/5
Service: 4/5

The Bonsai Restaurant, 6003

I'm not sure how long this place has been around but something about it says "new"; and not in that sterile, unfamiliar way.  I think it's the space and the staff. The building is much like a New York City warehouse, spiffed up with slick black surfaces and subdued lighting.  Tables are large and spaced apart, so you really have a sense of privacy and luxury about your dining. Service is warm, organized, attentive; matched with a pleasant "let's stay all night" atmosphere.

In addition to sushi and sashimi, The Bonsai has some Japanese dishes you wont find regularly. The menu is divided into sushi, cold shares, hot shares, fried shares, salads, mains and extras. You can choose to have a night of tapas or a meal to your own. Everyones happy!

California Roll $9.90

We ordered California sushi rolls – “Blanched prawn and avocado sushi coated with tobiko, and finally dressed with caramel soy & aioli” ($9.90 for 6 pcs) to start; and for main I went for the “Pan fried eggplant dressed with goma miso sauce, served with a side of red capsicum and enoki salad. Garnished with leek julienne and alfalfa sprouts” (16.90). The eggplant is a wonderful healthy, vegetarian dish that does not sacrifice on taste! I would order this again and again.

Miso Eggplant $16.90

Also ordered –“Sashimi grade salmon slices marinated in a light lemon and olive oil dressing, mixed with witlof julienne and salmon roe". ($13.90)

Salmon Ceviche $13.90

And “Beef Asparagus - Thinly sliced MSA grade scotch fillet beef, wrapped around asparagus and pan fried. Served with caramel soy, and seeded-mustard tomato relish” ($16.90)

Beef Asparagus $16.90

Finding ourselves still peckish, we ordered the “Teri-chicken”. “Pan fried chicken Maryland thigh fillet paired with a side of steamed broccoli and carrot, dressed with lemon shallot vinaigrette and teriyaki sauce, garnished with chives.” ($16.90) – was light and tender; if a little mild on the teriyaki flavour. 

Teri-chicken $16.90

Every single dish was prepared and presented beautifully. Serves were slightly on the small side but this is good reason to try a few different things – there are so many promising options!

Chocolate Temptation $8.90

For dessert we had two “Chocolate Temptations” – a decadent mousse like cake; and a “Green Tea Martini” (each $8.90 and only available on Friday and Saturday nights). The Martini was a layered dessert of green tea sponge, green tea mousse; finished with whipped cream. Both delectable. 

Green Tea Martini $8.90

The Bonsai is a perfect option to start a Friday or Saturday night – the mood is a bit a bit “special occasion” but still comfortable and you wont feel rushed at all. It’s a bit more unique from your common Japanese - ideal if you want to impress someone a bit special. The Sneaky Pidge will be back…and soon!

Food: 4/5

Ambience: 4/5

Service: 4/5

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. 

Japanese knick-knacks for sale

Overall I enjoyed the hide-away setting, the sushi was tasty and service friendly. It's a sushi hit!

Suisen, 6054

Sushi: 4/5
Ambience: 4.5/5
Service: 4.5/5