Sashimi Bentoh at Kimurakan Japanese Cafe
+613 9650 2038
More lunch fun in the city, and this time I think I’m turning Japanese. Uh huh. I really think so 
Kimurakan is a rather small and somewhat unpolished looking venue. So avert your eyes from the scruffy paintwork, dirty windows and chipped bento boxes. And don’t fuss too much when it’s really hot, as they don’t do aircon. But what it does do is one of the freshest looking bento(h) boxes I’ve had in quite some time.
As I scanned the tatty looking menu that features all the regular faves such as bento, donburi (rice) and ramen (noodles), my gaze traveled towards the dish of the gentleman sitting next to me. Too easy. My mind was made up.
“Sashimi Bento” I mouthed to the waitress, pointing to the man beside me.
“Hai!” was her reply.
First to arrive was a tall glass of iced lemon tea (it comes with the bentoh). Refreshingly sweet and kept cool by large cubes of ice.
Then to the bentoh. The sashimi (salmon) was positively oishi; as fresh as it gets with large streaks of fat that just melted in your mouth. One can not help but feel supremely virtuous eating such a thing of beauty. But in all things ying/yang, one must balance this with some deep fried goodness, in this case katsu, or crumbed pork fillet. It was zig-zagged with a sweet barbecue plum sauce, and sat atop a bed of shredded iceberg lettuce. A herby garlicky gyoza took up another little compartment sitting in a pool of dipping sauce, and tofu puffs took up another, drenched with a sweetish soy/sesame/chilli combo. A super crisp garden salad (unfortunately adorned with mayonnaise) and steamed rice garnished with toasted sesame seeds completed the box.
Damn, I enjoyed every little bit of that (except for the mayo…bleh!) You couldn’t have got any fresher had you caught the fish and pulled the veg out of the garden yourself. And all it cost me was $9.50. Kakkoii!
UPDATE 14 May 2007
I have ventured back to Kimurakan a few times since I originally posted this review, and it has always been pretty good (though somewhat shabby). But on my most recent return a few days ago, it appears something has gone awry. The restaurant had an altogether unpleasant stench and the hygiene/cleanliness was also questionable. It was a rather grubby looking Chef who presented us with our menus. Hmm…I decided I didn’t want to eat here on this occassion.
Written by mellie on
November 21st, 2006 | Tags: cafes, Japanese, restaurants | Category: Uncategorized
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November 24th, 2006 at 10:16 am
I love that place. Such great value isn’t it at way way below $1 a minute!
November 25th, 2006 at 5:03 am
I’ve bveen enjoying your many rcent reviews too, Mellie! I haven’t tried this place before but will have to go searching for it soon. Thanks!
November 27th, 2006 at 11:34 am
You’ve been doing so much reviewing, it’s great catching up on my reading! (I keep walking past Ye Shanghai and will have to go now).
November 28th, 2006 at 7:59 am
Hey there Ed - haha…in fact my most recent visit worked out at a value packed $0.38 per minute. Bargain
Hiya Cin - Glad you’ve been enjoying the recent spate of reviews - I have certainly been culinarily busy! Unfortunately I’ve had to start at the gym in an effort to curb the expanding waistline
Hey there Belinda - Yup, make sure you give Ye Shanghai a try. It does get rather busy about 12:30, but if you get there before then you are assured a seat (unless you book that is!). I went a second time a few days ago, and it was certainly still tasty, but a little too oily for my liking. But hey…the flavour is in the fat, right?
November 30th, 2006 at 3:42 am
Hey Mellie,
I often go to Kimurakan for a quick lunch or dinner! Last week I had chicken curry udon… delicious!
The bentoh looks great
xox Sarah
November 30th, 2006 at 9:59 am
Hey Sarah - oooh…I’ll have to go back and sample that one for sure!
December 6th, 2006 at 8:52 pm
The Sukiyaki Don was absolutely brilliant too, especially for $7!!
September 30th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
Kimurakan Japanese Cafe is the best secret in town! The bento boxes are amazing, the food is fresh & healthy & soo cheap!! Shhhhh… dont tell too many places about this lil secret gem!
October 4th, 2008 at 8:13 pm
Hi Amber - I haven’t been back to Kimurakan for ages (at least a year!). The last time I went it didn’t present very well (see my update in the post above), so I decided not to eat there. And I haven’t been back since!
October 6th, 2008 at 10:44 am
Mellie - Do you mean the presentation of the cafe itself or the food? I know it looks very basic and a bit run down but those places are often the best! Ive always had delicious meals there every time and everyone I’ve recommended it too has loved it as well. Kimurakan is definitely up the top of my favs places to eat in the city… Its all about the food, not the walls!
October 9th, 2008 at 9:48 am
Hey Amber - it was the presentation of the cafe itself which turned me off on my last visit. Dingy and run down has never bothered me (in fact, I think that’s where you can find some real treats!). But a few things worried me at the time; the rather excessive vinegar fly population buzzing around the shop (which is usually an indication of poor hygiene and sanitation), the rather dank aroma of fish (even the dingiest sushi houses in Japan never smelled that bad!), and then the dirty looking Chef who handed us the menu (you could have chipped the gunk off his apron in chunks!).
With that many good eating venues in Melbourne, we’ll it’s easy just to go somewhere else. But if you think they’ve lifted their game, perhaps its worth a return visit?
October 9th, 2008 at 9:59 am
Well thats really a shame to hear! We’ve never had a bad meal there, the food has always been super fresh, never noticed any flies or bugs, the staff/waitresses always extremely polite and friendly (never had the chef serve us before!)and Ive never noticed any bad smells! If I lived in the city I would eat there MORE than once a week! I just love it! So sorry to hear you’ve had bad experiences there. I personally recommend Kimurakan Cafe and couldnt rave about it more! If you do give it another go, make sure you let us all know!