Kabuki Shoroku The Restaurant
Kabuki Shoroku has been in situ for nearly thirty years. Previously, known as Ginza Isomura, owner Yoshi, changed the name and the style some 20 years ago. The restaurant comprises two areas. The first area is more casual dining and includes dishes such as traditional ramen. The choices remain good in this area, and this restaurant section has a view of the outdoor dining area with ornamental pond. This area is called Sakuretei.
The second area is more elegant dining, with a dedicated sushi/sashimi chef and excellent table service. This area is called Kabuki Shoroku. In this review we will concentrate on the fine dining.
The interior entrance comprises Japanese granite stepping stones upon which you approach the reception booth. The manager, Hiroko, will give you a warm welcome and invite you through the screen into the main area of the restaurant. Immediately to your right are booths which can accommodate 6 people. A variety of large and smaller tables are to the left. A fish tank in which crustaceans are held is immediately in front of you.
As you walk to the window seating you will notice a large, dedicated area with a sushi chef who also prepares sashimi. If the chef is mindful, you may be lucky to get the chef’s special sushi lunch, which is specially prepared with an assortment of tailored sushi. These are really superb.
The owner Yoshi is a true gentleman and his manager, Hiroko, is the epitome of gracious Japanese style.
When the restaurant was 20 years old Yoshi held a party for his dedicated customers. He purchased the finest whole sashimi grade tuna from the Sydney Fish Markets and flew in an expert sashimi chef from Japan. A Japanese priest blessed the event and broke the seal on a large barrel of sake, from which we were able to retrieve a drink with a personal ladle.
The head chef is Masashi Takaku, who produces some of the finest quality Japanese meals you can find in Sydney, at a very reasonable price. The sashimi is always of the best quality and the dedicated sushi chef gives this restaurant an additional edge to its impeccable service.
Cocktails
A fine selection of Japanese beers, sake and whisky (Scotch and Japanese) are available. Universally, we start with a cold Asahi.
Menu
The menu comprises a number of sections:
- Bento Box;
- Sushi / Sashimi selection; and
- Grill;
- Tempura;
- Salad; and
- Deluxe Lobster Lunch Set – $370 for two people.
The Bento box comes with a miso soup starter and includes selections of sushi, sashimi (ocean trout and tuna); Japanese salad, tempura king prawns and vegetables, your choice of terikayi beef/ chicken or fish.
Entrees
Entrees comprise various combinations of freshly made sushi and sashimi sets, fresh oysters (natural and grilled) as well as miso soup.
Main Courses
Our visit was a working lunch, so we all chose the Bento Box – one of each – as it makes selection so much easier.
The Bento box comes with a miso soup starter and includes selections of sushi, sashimi (ocean trout and tuna); Japanese salad, tempura king prawns and vegetables, your choice of terikayi beef/ chicken or fish.
The fish Bento box costs $40 and the chicken and beef both cost $48. They are generous servings and comprise the finest quality sashimi and tempura.
If you prefer you could order al la carte from the other menus. There is a large sushi / sashimi boat, and you can also order sashimi scampi and lobster (not to my taste).
Oysters are available both natural and grilled with a Japanese style béchamel sauce.
From the grill the choice is also large. You can order eel, toothfish, large scampi, scallops, salmon, and lobster.
For carnivores there is wagyu sirloin, teriyaki beef, teriyaki chicken, chicken katsu curry and garlic steak.
Salads
Salads include a soft-shell crab salad, Japanese salad, tofu salad and avocado salad.
Vegetarians
Vegetarians can choose from Japanese salad, miso soup, teriyaki vegetable and tofu salad. There is also a Japanese Bento box.
Dessert
Deserts are not normally my choice at a Japanese restaurant. However, you can get a selection of ice cream, including black tea and green tea if you fancy a sweet tooth finish.
Wine
The wine list is very good as is the sake and whiskey selection. In Japan the finest sakes are consumed cold – perhaps with ice. I must say I still like mine warm.
We ordered a Henshcke Peggies Hill Riesling. It was a good choice at a moderate price.
The Review – 4 Stars
To find a restaurant of this quality and lineage in the middle of the city, in pleasant surroundings and with impeccable friendly service is very rare.
It is immensely reassuring that Yoshi and Hiroko have weathered the Covid pandemic and have managed to keep this wonderful restaurant trading. I highly recommend it.
