Izakaya Kuuraku - Kingfish yakitori

Izakaya Kuuraku, Melbourne CBD

Izakaya Kuuraku
Izakaya Kuuraku - 15 Fizz - Sake, lemon juice, strawberry, mint, sparkling wine ($18) Yama Yuzu Shibori, Tsukasabotan – Tsukasabotan Junmai sake w yuzu juice ($15)
15 Fizz - Sake, lemon juice, strawberry, mint, sparkling wine ($18) Yama Yuzu Shibori, Tsukasabotan – Tsukasabotan Junmai sake w yuzu juice ($15)
Izakaya Kuuraku - Chicken confit w basil sauce and fried garlic chilli sauce ($18)
Chicken confit w basil sauce and fried garlic chilli sauce ($18)
Izakaya Kuuraku - Kama Yaki - Grilled Kingfish cheek w ponzu, lime and radish ($15)
Kama Yaki - Grilled Kingfish cheek w ponzu, lime and radish ($15)

Izakaya Kuuraku is one of the newest Japanese places in town, and it serves a huge range of food and drinks. The chicken confit is done quite well. The breast meat is not dry, and my personal favourite of the two accompanying sauces is the basil, though the fried garlic chilli sauce is also very tasty. The Kama-Yaki – grilled Kingfish cheek with lime and radish – comes with all the glorious moist and fatty bits of meat that make fish cheek so appetising. Mixing the radish with ponzu creates a sauce that cuts through the fattiness of the protein.

Izakaya Kuuraku - Kingfish yakitori
Kingfish yakitori
Izakaya Kuuraku - Aspara Maki - Asparagus wrapped in pork belly slice skewers ($8,60 for 2)
Aspara Maki - Asparagus wrapped in pork belly slice skewers ($8.60 for 2)

Up next is a selection of yakitori. They’re all handled with care, each sufficiently seasoned and exhibiting a nice amount of char. The proteins are tender, even the kingfish. Of the yakitori we try, our pick is the Aspara Maki – asparagus wrapped in slices of pork belly.

Izakaya Kuuraku - Ebi Crunchy Roll - Tempura prawn uramaki w teriyaki sauce and spicy mayo ($18)
Ebi Crunchy Roll - Tempura prawn uramaki w teriyaki sauce and spicy mayo ($18)
Izakaya Kuuraku - Unagi kabayaki w cucumber, unagi sauce, sansyo (half serve, $11)
Unagi kabayaki w cucumber, unagi sauce, sansyo (half serve)

Their Ebi Crunchy Roll is indeed crunchy, and worth ordering if you like tempura. The Unagi Kabayaki is fragile to handle because of the cucumber that’s placed mid-way through the rice, but they are very tasty morsels.

Izakaya Kuuraku - Seared wagyu sushi ($12 for 2)
Seared wagyu sushi ($12 for 2)
Izakaya Kuuraku - Slow cooked wagyu beef stew w red wine, soy sauce, tonkatsu sauce, mirin, onion ($28)
Slow cooked wagyu beef stew w red wine, soy sauce, tonkatsu sauce, mirin, onion ($28)

Izakaya Kuuraku has also recently introduced more wagyu items on their menu, including seared Wagyu Sushi, and Slow-Cooked Wagyu Beef Stew. The sushi is seared at the table, and the wagyu, cooked medium-rare for us, is supple. The beef in the stew is a tad dry today, but for those who like a bit of sweetness in their stews, it could be an interesting proposition.

Izakaya Kuuraku - Yuzu Cheese Cake - New York cheesecake served with berry compote ($12)
Yuzu Cheese Cake - New York cheesecake served with berry compote ($12)
Izakaya Kuuraku - Matcha pudding ($9)
Matcha pudding ($9)

Dessert includes a firm New York-style Yuzu Cheesecake with berry compote, and our favourite, the smooth Matcha Pudding with its strong matcha flavours.

Izakaya Kuuraku will be refining and condensing their menu over the coming months, which will allow them to focus in on their strengths.

Izakaya Kuuraku

Disclaimer: I was invited to Izakaya Kuuraku as a guest, however, opinions expressed here are purely my own, and are based on my experience at the time.

Izakaya Kuuraku
131-135 Bourke St
Melbourne, VIC, 3000
(03) 9939 1516
https://kuuraku.com.au

Izakaya Kuuraku Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

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