Great dinner at Kujin, Japanese restaurant in Elizabeth bay :o) :o) $$

After we discovered Blancharu for my birthday, we decided to explore what else, Elizabeth Bay had to offer. That’s how we randomly discovered a hidden gem (hidden to us, as it was packed on a week day night!)… Our Japanese neighbourhood restaurant Kujin!

Kujin – Edamame Beans AUD 5.5

We got Edamame beans AUD 5.5 to start and these were great. These are proper edamame (cooked in salted water) and not tasteless edamame with salt on. Good nibbles as we sip the usual Plum Wine or Umeshu AUD 6. Mine is with sparkling water, Monsieur has his on the rocks.

Kujin – Umeshu or Plum Wine AUD 6

The Wagyu Beef Tataki AUD 16 comes first and there’s only 5 thin slices (though large) and the seasoning is good, we realize that along with the usual soy sauce there actually is a good dash of olive oil. It’s full of flavour and the meat is of slightly higher quality versus that of Jazushi.

Kujin – Wagyu Tataki AUD 16

The vegetable gyoza AUD 14 come next, they’re pipping hot and good but quite standard. Monsieur is hooked on them, though he much prefers, that of Ton Ton ramen (unbeaten so far).

Kujin – 8 veg gyozas AUD 14

My favourite dish for tonight is the beef yakiniku AUD 20, it’s everything I look for in a japanese dish. Sweet and savoury, tender beef that melts in your mouth. Definitely recommend that one!!

Kujin – Beef Yakiniku AUD 20

By then Monsieur and I are not so full (should have ordered some rice not to leave sauce on our plates!) so we order 2 desserts. One is unusual, a red bean mochi fried spring roll with green tea ice cream AUD 10 and turns out surprisingly good (Monsieur was skeptic on that one though!)

Kujin – Red Bean Mochi Spring Roll with green tea ice cream AUD 10

It’s crispy, chewy, hot and cold at the same time! The chocolate mousse AUD 5 is also quite nice, though there’s nothing very Japanese about it! The only downside is the fact it is served in a “noisy” cup so when you this prevents us from getting every single bit of chocolate mousse!

Kujin – Mousse au chocolat AUD 5

The Kitchen is fairly busy. We couldn’t spot it from where we were but it’s an open kitchen, so I reckon it would be nice if next time, we get to sit there and see what else we can order!!

Kujin – Busy Kitchen

Our bill comes down to AUD 87, which matches with Surry Hill’s Jazushi, though we’re happy we do not have to walk that long walk back home today!

Kujin – The Bill

We think the price is actually quite fair and will happily return to Kujin. When we do get the restaurant card, we realize that Busshari (on Macleay) is part of Kujin (or they’re associated?) We will definitely try that one too!