[invite] Bianca: Alongside my obsession with burgers and pancakes, sushi makes a pretty regular appearance in my diet. This is a recent development having avoided fish for most of my young life, where this new interest came from I do not know… All I know, I don’t think it’s going anywhere soon.
I first noticed Raw Bar back when I visited Harry’s café (just next door) last year. With a prime spot just across from Bondi beach, the view is pretty darn picturesque. I couldn’t really imagine a better spot in the summertime.
Shooting casual ESP vibes, we were brought out some Edamame $6.5 with generous chunks of rock salt. These always get the appetite going. Not requested but appreciated, was the Miso Soup $4.50. I’ve never really been a fan so I mostly left mine untouched.
Sashimi can be hit or miss for me so I mostly avoid it unless the establishment is reputable. The Kingfish Sashimi (6pcs) $17 was tender and velvety in the mouth, there was a muted sweetness and best of all. No offending fishiness.
And now to the main attraction, the sushi. The Chicken Teriyaki Roll –w/avocado, lettuce & cucumber (6pcs) $10. One thing to compliment across the board was the tightly bound roll of the sushi. A perfect ‘bite’, my only comment would be that I would have liked more chicken but that’s me being pedantic. All of the ratios were mostly pretty succinct. The toasted sesame seeds giving a slight nuttiness.
I fell in love with my local sushi joints Spicy Tuna Roll, so felt it was only fair to compare and contrast. Here it’s served with Japanese spices, marinated raw tuna w/cucumber & lettuce (6pcs) $13. There was a mild kick, especially paired with my soy/wasabi concoction (I’m the equivalent of white trash when it comes to sushi eating, apologies). I was particularly blown away by the texture within the roll, with the cucumber having an audible crunch with every bite.
Next up was the universal favourite and without being too emphatic… one of the best pieces of sushi I’ve eaten. The Crispy Salmon Rolls – Salmon sashimi –w/avocado, crunchy tempura ake (6pcs) $20.50. What made this for me was the texture of the tempura crumbs in the centre. It was a large mouthful (you’ll definitely look unattractive eating it) but it’s worth the looks. I’d travel back to Bondi for this piece of sushi alone!
Equally delicious was the Spicy Prawn Tempura Roll – w/tempura prawn, lettuce, cucumber, spicy jalapeno mayo & topped with crunchy tempura flakes (6pcs) $14. With a plump, crispy nugget of sweet prawn, excellent ratios of ingredients.
And the final sushi, the Mt Fuji Roll – A dragon roll of seared salmon, cooked prawn, lettuce, cucumber & avocado w/ponzu mayo (6pcs) $22. There was a discernible creaminess to the cooked salmon, a fabulous interplay of sweet and sour notes from the prawn and ponzu mayo.
I was told by several people that the one thing I HAD to order was the Nasu no Dengaku – Fried eggplant w/sweet miso dressing $15.50. And I could see why it had come so highly recommended, meaty, succulent caramelised eggplant. Eaten right down to the skin.
After the Black Miso Cod at both Nobu & Tokonoma, I was intrigued as to how Raw Bar’s would stack up. The Misozuke Cod –w/ a flamed miso dressing $30 was intensely buttery and flaky. Falling apart at the slightest prodding. I enjoyed the contrasting sweet and caramelised notes.
I really couldn’t fault anything I ate at Raw Bar and I’m already looking forward to a return visit.
Bianca
*For Food’s Sake dined as guests of Raw Bar.
Dang – u beat me to the post – new job is holding me off from getting my posts up – was mean to post for this last week. Easily my favourite Japanese in Sydney and that blew my mind – that Black Cod – faaarrrrrkkkkkkkkk. I have already returned for my second visit and am planning on taking the parents for a third. Great pics B
So many delicacies you offer and so little can I eat at a time.. LOLzz.. Suggest something that I can enjoy with my lady love in vegetarian category, whenever we are there next time.