Teriyaki Boy

This is a nice, low-key local; quirky enough to make it memorable for fans of all things Japanese, and accessible enough for staunch non-believers. I scratched my head at the ‘Bite of the Week Asazuke $0’ chalked on the specials until a complimentary amuse-bouche of lightly pickled cucumber arrived. Concepts from other cuisines litter their menu. My favourite dish was the curious volcano-shaped Steamed Prawn Dim Sims ($12/ 3 pieces) – light and fluffy inside, and totally unrelated to any ‘dim sim’ I’ve ever met. Their Salmon Carpaccio ($12) combines thin, fresh slices of er… salmon sashimi with a home-made dressing. On more traditional turf, the Agedashi Nasu ($9.00) or deep fried eggplant was a good version of the standard dish. A Sushi and Sashimi Platter ($24) came nicely presented and accompanied by a bowl of miso soup, the only disappointment being slightly bland vegetarian rolls. Those with a traditional ‘Aussie’ palate should enjoy the tender Wafu ($19) or eye fillet presented with an accessible home-style steak sauce. An odd yet delicious dessert of cigar-shaped Red Bean Spring Rolls ($7) pleased me; as did hospitable service and the use of a white pig-trotter shape on salmon pink as the unifying thematic decor element.

Teriyaki Boy
481 Darling Street, Balmain
Ph: (02) 9555 6510
Japanese $$-$$$