165 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne
Phone 03 9663 8118
Izakaya Chuji is one of those ol’ perennial favourites that I am surprised I have never blogged. It has been a sporadic lunch spot for many a year, and an occassional dinner spot (when you can get in!). To be honest, it’s nothing much to look at, as I don’t think it’s changed its decor in the twenty years it has occupied its’ Lonsdale Street address. But there is something kind of comforting in that, and something kind of comforting about the izakaya/Japanese diner-style food.
To start with, oysters in the shell in a citrusy ponzu dressing and a scattering of sliced green onions. My only question is, what the hell is that white goop holding up the oysters?
Takoyaki (octupus balls), are not, in fact, the balls of octopodes. These little dumplings contain (generally) chewy nuggets of octopus suspended in a batter mixture. These were oooo-kay, but dang, when you’ve eaten them hot off the cast iron skillet in Osaka, naught else compares.
Mmm…shishamo are small saltwater smelt that are grilled whole, generally with their eggs still intact. The first time I ate them, I delicately tried to eat the flesh only, leaving the head, tail and bones behind. Now I know better 
Take as big a bite as you can and chow down on everything – they are smokey and salty and absolutely delicious.
Then we ordered the sashimi platter, and I must admit we were quite impressed with the selection and quality of seafood. Salmon, swordfish, kingfish, gurnard, snapper, scallops, salmon roe and a few more oysters.
For lunch, you can make your own bento ($14.50) from an assortment of fish, meat, noodles, salad, or deep fried goodness type dishes – 20 to choose from. At dinner there is an interesting array of the “very” Japanese (eg. dried rays fin) to the more “familiar” Japanese style dishes (teriyaki, tonkatsu etc). This ain’t haute cuisine that will blow your socks off. But it is always good, and always hearty.
New blog post: Izakaya Chuji http://bit.ly/fXGk6
I used to love Izakaya and went there ofter, but no more.
The service is so bad. It just can’t be compared to an Izakaya in Japan.
The food is great, but if you have to wait 20 mins for a menu, 20 to get served and then half an hour for food, then forget it.
I prefer the little joint on the corner of QV. The menu is limited but the service is great.
Nice pictures btw!
I tried that place a few times, but everytime we had the sashimi it wasn’t as fresh as Shoya so we stopped going there… but then again that was 2.5 years ago… maybe it’s time to revisit- ur post made me hungry for Japanesey!
The service can certainly be remiss, but you can always grab their attention with a hearty “Sumimasen”. It usually gets their attention straight away
I find that service in Japan is generally much better than here. They just have more of a service-oriented culture over there!
yeah, the sashimi can be hit and miss, and certainly cannot be compared to the quality of Shoya. we were lucky on the night we went that it was very good. however, there are definitely better items on the menu as befitting an izakaya. I love their clam in butter soup and their “tough” spare ribs slathered with BBQ sauce. they are extremely tough to chew but the sauce is oh so good – perfect drinking food.
I think they have gone downhill so much in the last few years. Last time, the sashimi I had was not even passable, my una don was over cooked and claggy, as well as too sweet. The first time I went was a few years ago and things were good.
Although, I have never ordered the shishamo and that looks pretty well done.
Hi Fiwi – yeah, the service can be sporadic, especially when they’re busy. Sometimes I don’t mind, but at other times it can be frustrating. I’ve been to Meshiya twice, but that was quite some time ago. I must try them again…
Hey Piggy Eatalot – I’m glad that your most recent visit was a good one
The shishamo are damn tasty, huh?!
Hiya Jess – I think they have certainly gone downhill in the lunch set. They used to do awesome traditional Japanese dishes, now they just do bento with too much deep fried goodness. Oh, what I would give for a nice piece of salted grilled fish, rice, tamago, miso and pickles. I often have to just make it myself
Last time I went was about 6 months ago but I went quite alot back then.
Service is okay as long as you get their attention and booking over the phone helps too. Service also seems to be better in upstairs in the grill section. Platters for the grill are cheaper than other places for what you get which is the main reason for going to Izakaya Chuji. Value for money depending on what you order.
The sushi and sashimi that comes in combinations is pretty average or even bad but if you order nigiri sushi in pairs off from the ala carte menu it’s fresh and delicious.
Oh yeah, I asked a waiter about the octopus balls. He confirmed that they’re frozen.
Hi Billy – uh huh, I concur. I have generally been at non-peak times (ie. early), so service hasn’t been a big issue. I actually haven’t done yakiniku there, so thanks for the heads up!
And I figured the takoyaki were frozen – octopus tends to “seize” and get really tough when it’s spent some time in the freezer.