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, [...]]]> 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.