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!
I want to use the term “sensory viscoelasticity” in a conversation today. Awesome.
Keep up the great work Mellie!
It’s a good word, huh? When I read it, I knew I just *had* to use it
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!
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.
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?
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.
My review of Wood Sppon Kitchen is live – http://indolentdandy.net/fitzroyalty/2008/12/09/dinner-at-wood-spoon-kitchen-on-smith-st/
Great post fitzy! Oooh…I must go back and soon!
Have eaten Japanese food many times and travelled there a number of times and have a fair understanding of Japanese cuisine and i can tell you Wood spoon is far from it!!! Karaage tasted like sweet and sour chicken, which is a first was horrible and over drenched in sauce.
We sent back dengaku because it tasted appalling after just one bite- nothing like dengaku i ever had before!
when it came to paying the bill we were informed we still had to pay for something we didn’t eat! the Manager grabbed my partner enforcing we pay for it and held us ransom telling us we must pay. We offered to pay for everything but that one item and he said ‘it was our fault for choosing it’ , he also said’ we were cheap’ for not wanting to pay!!! I was disgusted by the manager’s behaviour and would strongly recommend against eating there. He was so so rude, arrogant and we will never ever be back again.
If you’re up for abuse and bad food, you won’t be disappointed!!!