Kai Japanese Restaurant

You know how it sometimes seems as if the local restaurants- the ones around the corner or down the street- always seem to be just a little lower on quality? But then you cut them a break because they're just so convenient. I think there must be a theory for an inverse relationship between taste and meters from the home.

Kai Japanese Restaurant is located on Parry avenue, next to the Cellarbrations and cheesecake shop - yeah I could get an address, but it doesn't feel like it needs one because its my local japanese haunt. So does one have to sacrifice quality for convenience? The answer is: sort of.

The first time I ate at Kai, I didn't actually eat at Kai. I got take away! A combination bento that was quite superb (Only 14 dollars for katsu chicken, six sushi things, a bunch of tempura and some gyoza!) and have visited a few times since. I always had my eyes on their ramen (see Fremantle ramen post for more information on that obsession), but alas it was only for eat-in diners. Lets say that the space for eat-in diners is quite... modest. What's with ramen joints and having no space to eat?

Tonight my parents asked me to come join them there after work, and I instantly thought "RAMEN." I redlined my car there and ordered up a bowl of soy sauce pork ramen. My parents had already ordered some sashimi and soft-shelled crab for entree and they both got the "Tokutsu" Pork broth ramen.

The tea looked like midori. I just wanted to mix it with sprite (It was actually pretty good).

The sashimi was fresh, with a selection of salmon, tuna and squid. Although the serving was a little on the small side there was nothing to criticize on taste.

The soft shell crab was crisp yet soft. With soft-shell crab I look for something thats not over fried so that you're unable to taste the crab meet, yet you want it fried enough so the skin is crispy at first bite. This was a little on the soft side, but the taste of crab was definitely all packed in and the golden skin was delightful to crunch.

Finally, lets talk ramen. I'm going to keep this succinct; it was mediocre. The soup just did not have enough flavour to satisfy my cravings. My tongue was expecting the splash of tasty broth, but it just never came to the fore. The noodles were of a springy consistency which was good, and the pork was suitably average. I believe, however, that I might have picked the wrong ramen to try; my parents' soup tasted nicer and we did not notice the karrage chicken ramen on offer when we ordered.

This was my mum's, better than mine!

Looks pretty good though.

Coupled with the cramped conditions, this restaurant will receive an average mark - however the prices are good and the bento I had was delicious. The bottom line is I'm happy to have a Japanese restaurant of this quality so close to home.

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Food: 6
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 4

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Kai Japanese - Dining and takeaway


Shop 4/110 Parry Avenue,


Bull Creek, WA, 6149


Parry Place Shopping Centre


phn: (08)9332 0388

Freo Market Ramen (Dosukoi Japanese Noodle & Bubble Tea)

So the time has come for the first review and I've decided to start with a place that is very dear to my heart.

You guessed it (or read the title, or have absolutely no idea what I'm talking about)! I'm talking about Dosukoi Japanese Noodle and Bubble Tea or better known as "that Fremantle ramen place."

On the south western flank, next to the crepe place, stall number 7; that is where the Ramen place is located. And upon first glance some obvious flaws are immediately recognisable. Its tiny! People are cramped together on one bench opposite the kitchen and the window sill that opens into the market. The maximum capacity is a mere ten people with just enough elbow room to perform the difficult "eating" maneuver. If you can't get a seat, all is not lost, you can put your name on a waiting list with Terry- the friendly japanese man- and he promises to call you when a spot is available.

Um, great Terry, but why would I want to be put on this waiting list in the first place? Why would I want to be treated like a sardine in a can?

The answer hits you at about the same time the flavoursome ramen noodles hits your tongue. All the pains from waiting, all the gripes about space, all your worries just release from your body. The hot broth, the soft noodles and the succulent meat take all your attention away.

This is it people, this is the best ramen you will ever have in Perth. Not to mention the takoyaki (octopus) balls and Japanese fried chicken. Everything is just as tasty as it gets.

The success of this place would be a surprise, but the moment you step in through the small doorway all the pieces fall into place. When you talk with Terry and see the way the practiced kitchen staff handle their cooking you know you've entered someplace authentic, you know you've somehow found that small piece of Japan hiding inside Perth.

Now only if they were open 24/7.

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THE LOWDOWN
Prices: around $9 per dish.
Overall Kelvin Rating: 8/10 (marks off only for lack of convenience)
Fremantle markets is located South Terrace, Fremantle.
Open: Friday 10am to 8pm, Saturday 10am to 6pm, Sunday 10am to 6pm.

Contact:

• Stall Number: 7
• Terry Komatsuzaki
• 0412 855 663

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