Matsuri Japanese Restaurant *UPDATED*
Image: One of the few stalwarts of the ever-changing Surry Hills restaurant scene, Matsuri Japanese Restaurant has been a reasonably regular haunt of mine for nearly nine years. The excellent value wooden boats laden with sushi and sashimi are the lure.
One of the few stalwarts of the ever-changing Surry Hills restaurant scene, Matsuri Japanese Restaurant has been a reasonably regular haunt of mine for nearly nine years. The excellent value wooden boats laden with sushi and sashimi are the lure. It’s generally best to forgo entrees, but a tempting bowl of Agedashi Tofu ($8.50) on the specials menu speaks to my dining companion. The plump deep fried eggplant pieces sit in a lovely sweet broth flavoured with light soy, ground radish and seaweed. I succumb to another special – Zucchini Flower Tempura ($9.50) – and am not disappointed. When our Sushi and Sashimi Combination Boat ($52.50) arrives we struggle to finish the nicely presented sashimi, nigiri sushi, inside-out rolls and nori rolls. Everything on the boat is fresh and plentiful though not all pieces are matched for easy sharing; it could probably feed three people. Restaurant décor has always been minimal, but seems to have declined further in recent times. I also note that they’ve gone to no BYO since my last visit. Their wine list is small and uninspired, with nearly everything including a 2007 Devil’s Lair Fifth Leg White ($31/bottle, $10/glass) also available by the glass. Food is usually consistent; staff may disappoint.
Matsuri Japanese Restaurant
618 Crown St, Surry Hills
Ph: (02) 9690 1336
Japanese $$$
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