Wood Spoon Kitchen
88 Smith Street, Collingwood
Phone 03 9416 0588
This is the vegetarian Goma Udon ($12.90) from Wood Spoon Kitchen, a cute-as-a-button Japanese cafe in the funky end of Smith St. Apparently, the quality of udon (a thick white salted wheat noodle from Japan) can be measured in the sensory viscoelasticity of the noodle – it should be firm to the tooth yet soft on the chew, and slippery and somewhat elastic.
Deep in the bowl sat a textbook-perfect tangle of warmed udon, blanched bean shoots, sliced sweet beancurd sheets, crisp quarters of lotus root and sansai (Japanese mountain vegetables). It was dressed with a thick roasted sesame sauce and garnished with segments of soy egg quarters, diced tomato, sliced green onion and toasted black sesame seeds.
I just didn’t want this bowl of lip-smacking goodness to end!
Written by mellie on
November 28th, 2008 | Tags: cafe, collingwood, Japanese, noodles, Smith Street, Wood Spoon Kitchen | Category: dining experiences
| 
Print This Post
| 
Email This Post
| Subscribe to comments | Leave a comment | Trackback URL
November 28th, 2008 at 8:03 am
I want to use the term “sensory viscoelasticity” in a conversation today. Awesome.
Keep up the great work Mellie!
November 28th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
It’s a good word, huh? When I read it, I knew I just *had* to use it
December 4th, 2008 at 4:28 pm
Nice one on getting the first review (as far as I can see anyway) published! I tried Wood Spoon Kitchen on Tuesday when I invited some friends to join me at Trippy Taco wothout realising they don’t open Tuesday nights. Doh! Anyway, the food at Wood Spoon Kitchen is delicious and very reasonably priced. I’ll be back to review it soon with my camera in hand!
December 7th, 2008 at 5:57 am
Hey Fitzroyalty – it was pure chance that I actually ended up there for dinner. I was going for a chocolate appreciation class at Monsieur Truffe (next door), and had originally intended to eat at Wabi Sabi. But they hadn’t opened yet, so I went over to Cocoro (but didn’t like the unusual smell emanating from the kitchen), so wandered aimlessly till I came upon Wood Spoon Kitchen. I could hear people speaking Japanese from the kitchen, and the menu looked interesting and the decor charming. So in I went and absolutely loved it.
December 7th, 2008 at 9:43 pm
I had to go back two days later and try Wood Spoon Kitchen again so I could get some photos for my review, which will be out in a few days. It is amazing! I’ve had good food at Cocoro – my review of them is here – http://indolentdandy.net/fitzroyalty/2007/11/19/cocoro/. Truffe do chocolate classes?!?!? OMG how do I sign up?
December 8th, 2008 at 8:43 pm
Oooh…can’t wait for your review Fitzroyalty! I must go back myself for round two, and take Dan since he missed out the first time. And I’ll have to put Cocoro on the list too – your post looks delicious! I’ve had “tea” and ice-cream at their Vic Market outlet, but am yet to dine.
Ohhhhh yes…Monsieur Truffe most certainly does chocolate appreciation classes (…and I must admit, one can appreciate things other than the chocolate in that store *ahem*). You can find out more on his website.
December 8th, 2008 at 11:29 pm
My review of Wood Sppon Kitchen is live – http://indolentdandy.net/fitzroyalty/2008/12/09/dinner-at-wood-spoon-kitchen-on-smith-st/
December 10th, 2008 at 6:47 am
Great post fitzy! Oooh…I must go back and soon!