Meal #18: Japan (Part 1: Rice and Sushi)

Japan: a country of terrifying modernity, time-honoured tradition and uncooked seafood. This week we began our journey through Japan with a meal of rice and sushi at:

Meiji Japanese Café
Little Bourke St
Melbourne Chinatown

Just one of many cafes along the Chinatown strip touting for business, Meiji Café has a number of tables to acoomodate small groups downstairs, and a larger dining area up above. Stark white walls and plain pine furniture provide an uncomplicated backdrop to well placed Japanese paintings and fabric prints. Welcoming you up the stairs are a range of Japanese style kite-cum-light fixtures, encouraging a lively and inviting atmosphere.

The Japanese invasion was inverted, with a horde of 80 meals diners descending upon Meiji Café: Naomi, Imogene, Caroline, Rami, Helen, Paul, Deb, Sai and Nick.

Entrée:

Gyoza – Japanese Prawn and Pork Dumplings
Hotate Bata Yaki - Scallops in Garlic
Tori Kara – Japanese Deep Fried Chicken
Miso Soup
Vegetable Tempura

Sushi:
Sushi Nigiri - Sea Urchin Sushi
Cucumber Rolls
Salmon Rolls
Salmon Sushi
Yellowtail Sushi
Squid Sushi
Prawn Sushi
California Rolls

Mains:

Salmon Sashimi
Unagi Teriyaki - Eel cooked in teriyaki sauce
Shishamo – Japanese fried fish
Gomoku Kamameshi – Rice with Prawn, chicken, eggs and vegetables
Beef Kamameshi – Rice with Beef, onion and red ginger
Aigamo Kamameshi – Rice with duck, pork and vegetables
Gyuniku Udon – Udon noodle soup with beef, onion, spring onion and half-raw egg


Beverages:

Avocado Smoothie
Japanese Green Tea
Plum Wine
Sake

Entrée:

A number of items made their way to the tables at once, indicating the prompt and friendly service at Meiji. It did lead to some confusion as dishes expected as a main were served with entrees, but the disorder was dismissed without a second thought as we happily tucked in to our food. A good gyoza often indicates a good Japanese meal to follow, and based on the delicious dumplings we began with, we eagerly anticipated the remaining dishes.

Meiji prepares deep fried dishes tempura style - a light batter complimented the flavour of the chicken, and ensured it was a delighfully far cry from any fowl of Kentucky origins. The vegetables were saltier but light, tasty and very pleasing. The shallow fried scallops were outstanding, slightly crisped but retaining a juicy texture and subtle flavour, perfectly matched with garlic and champignons.

The sushi at Meiji is fresh and flavoursome. Take care with the wasabi- it has quite a kick to it. Few of us were particularly adventurous with our sushi choices; sadly one brave sushi eater found herself remembering the squid sushi after the meal. The sea urchin, while only one diner was game enough to try it, was apparently quite tasty.

Mains:

The main meals, washed down with sake and plum wine, continued to please. Meiji’s signature dish is kamemashi, a rice casserole made using a “combination of traditional and technological new Japanese cooking methods” which Meiji claims to have been the first to introduce to Melbourne. Served in the metal pots in which they’re cooked, they come in a variety of flavours, some boasting unusual combinations of meats or whole boiled eggs. The ones we had were tasty, with balanced, slightly smokey flavours and tender textures.

The unagi teriyaki was a divisive dish, with not all diners ready for the slippery texture of eel meat. Those who enjoy eel, however, loved it, with generous serves of fresh, boneless meat, perfectly marinated.

The shishamo proved quite a challenge. The small fish were served whole, heads and all, leaving one diner confused as to whether she was eating them the right way. However, the delightful flavour ensured that she continued to attack them in her own, unorthodox fashion.

Overall:

While some diners were intimidated with certain Japanese flavours, for service and quality Meiji can not be faulted. Its extensive menu means diners are not restricted to california rolls alone, and if you’re willing to experiment, Meiji offers dishes entirely unfamiliar, but guaranteed to be well prepared and flavoursome, as well as standard Japanese favourites. Service was quick, friendly and helpful, and at around $25 a head (including alcohol), Meiji served up one of our most enjoyable dinners so far.