The Munchies for Mr Munchies Sushi

James got one of those discount vouchers (Groupon, Scoopon types) that allowed you to get $50 worth of food and drink from Mr Munchies Sushi. I had only heard of Mr Munchies in passing but I was very excited to try it out because it was just around the corner from my house.

With one day to spare before the voucher expired, we went with low expectations that it was just  a generic sushi place – not thinking it would be anything special. But it was! We spent exactly $50 on:

• 1 x small Vegie Lover roll
• 1 x small South East roll
• 1 x small Chicken Lover roll
• 1 x small seafood roll
• 1 x Edamame
• 2 x miso
• 1 x soda water

*Note the first two sushi rolls were the only vegetarian sushi options. Unless you made it yourself! Which is the main concept of Mr Munchies!

Each small sushi roll had 4 pieces, but the servings were huge! It reminded me of a small burrito. Oh boy was it tasty. I felt so full eating all 8 pieces but I loved it. It’s surprising how much I did love it because I usually dislike Japanese food being modernised but this was awesome. The people who worked there were so friendly, it just like being in Japan.

Another warning (besides only needing a small size each) is that it’s not super quick. That being said, the service was in no way slow. Sometimes you think it’s going to be quick because it has that fast food feel but you wait as long as a normal café. It’s worth it!

The edamame and miso went down perfectly. Nothing fancy here but it complimented the sushi wonderfully. One thing I found was that the edamame was served warm. This had happened to me twice in one week! I find that very odd! When I have been to Japan it has always been room temperature or cold – which I prefer.

The menu is extremely interesting. There was sausage roll sushi – which was beef sushi wrapped in pastry. It looked awesome. So much better than the cheeseburger sushi concept!

Anyway, go check out Mr Munchies Sushi. It’s cute, tasty and you wont regret it. They don't have a website but like them on Facebook.  

Mr Munchies Sushi

4/669 Beaufort Street

Mt Lawley WA 6050

My Ichi-ban Japanese Restaurant (for now)

I don’t know why I ever stopped writing my blog, as I get so excited when I experience anything in Perth that reminds me of Japan. I just wish when I was living in Japan that I also recorded all the amazing things I saw, bought, did and ate. Oh well, perhaps I will reminisce another time.

But talking about amazing things, take Aisuru Sushi - the Japanese restaurant on the corner of William Street and James Street in Northbridge. I first got taken there for my birthday and it was amazing. I finally returned a few weeks ago, and nothing disappointed me.

Here’s what makes it special:

Photo courtesy of James Walker

·      You can sit on the street and enjoy your meal, whilst enjoying Perth weather (or just judging those who walk past).

·      It’s BYO. Yes, that’s correct. Bring a nice bottle of rose (or two) and take your time eating.

·      Vegan friendly. I am not vegan and either is my boyfriend, but with him being a vegetarian, it’s nice that he has a good selection to choose from. Which unfortunately in Japanese culture, is not always the case.

Best of all, the food is amazing. The sushi is fresh, innovative and delicious. I love ordering a bowl of hot miso, edamame and corn tempura (this is heaven in your mouth).

Go inside for lunch and watch them make it fresh in front of you or BYO and sit on the streets of Perth at night. Either way, you’ll have a great meal.

Fun fact: "Aisuru" means Love in Japanese (told to me by a Japanese friend who walked pasted the restaurant whilst on holiday). 

Aisuru Sushi don't have an official website but you can like them on facebook or read about them on Urbanspoon.

The Making of Japanese Curry

It was only last year, when I was living in Osaka for two months, that I tried Japanese curry for the first time. I assumed as it was one of the school’s (where I worked) provided lunches that it wasn’t top class. But you know what? I loved it. I thought it was the tastiest thing I had eaten. Like normal curry but with more of a sweet gravy taste. I would have had it more when I was there but the summer weather prevented this.

A couple of weeks ago, I got Japanese curry from Tan Po Po and I remembered how amazing it was. So, I decided to make it myself.

James researched and discovered most Japanese places use Golden Curry mix – which looks and feels like a solid stock cube (and looks like chocolate blocks).

Here’s what we did (and you can do too!):

1. Chop a couple of carrots, some potatoes, two onions, zucchini and firm tofu.

2. Fry the onions and carrot for a bit.

3. Add the other vegetables, cover with water and boil for about 10 minutes.

4. Crumble a few blocks of the curry and mix in the pot.

5. Add the tofu and stir the curry until you get the desired thickness.

6. Serve with some brown basmati rice.

7. Be traditional and eat with a spoon!

I highly recommend you try eating and / or making some Japanese curry. It may not look appealing but oh how looks can be deceiving. 

Photos courtesy of the lovely James Walker. 

My first piece of art!

Nepeta cataria by kozyndan. 

I fell in love straight away. 

Perth. Cats. Colour. Japanese. 

 I want the 'Uprisings' piece next. 

Outre Gallery is located at 260 William Street, Northbridge. 

PICA Exhibition

Yesterday I went to PICA (Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts) to check out the Alternating Currents exhibition. It was very much Japanese art - random, child-like and bright. The space looks like someone had a huge party and didn't clean up afterwards. I'm not saying that in a negative way - I like how obvious Japanese art can be. It was great walking through the space, on top of it, the strange feeling you get when you're stepping on someone else's work. 

My friend didn't see it like that - she thought it was awful. Some people's art is just ridiculous to others. Each to their own. I thought it was fine but nothing I am going to rave about. 

Afterwards we went to the Yellow Cake Street, a pop up coffee store that's in PICA's bar. It was extremely cute and yellow! It was shame not to see more people there. Perth people complain there is nothing new and exciting, yet there is so much happening if you just walk around and see!

The exhibition runs fro  12 November - 31 December 2011. Read more about it on the PICA's website. 

Japanese online shopping!

A couple of weeks ago, I treated myself to some goodies from Uguisu Online Store. I know it's not a shop in Perth but you can lay in bed, with a cup of tea and do some wonderful online shopping IN PERTH! 

I bought a beautiful three pack of washi mt tape; two sakura lanterns and my favourite thing - a Yoshitomo Nara diary. I love, love, love this! I don't usually use a hardcopy diary but I will definitely be writing in fun times in this one. 

Everything was wrapped in gorgeous paper, washi tape and  a very sweet note ws attached. 

Thank you Uguisu Online Store - you're my new favourite Japanese shop. 

Be sure to check out the new Christmas stock! Oh and the store's blog!

I heart Zakka Box

There is one shop that I go in to usually around once a week. I don’t always buy anything but I pick up everything and fall in love.

Zakka Box – all things Japanese.

Photo taken from Zakka Box's facebook page

Yuka, the lovely lady who owns the store is absolutely gorgeous! I email her asking her if she can get certain items in for me and she always tries!

I have bought some very fabulous things including my washi tape, bookmarks, jewellery, glasses case and Japanese paper!

Today I got two small birdcages. They’re adorable! I have hung them in my room and plan on putting mini plants or a mini owl in them. Not sure yet!

I love my usual weekend routine of Mt Lawley breakfast, picking up flowers and going to Zakka box. It’s a small slice of Tokyo right here in Perth.

'Like' Zakka Box on facebook or even better - go visit!

611 Beaufort Street, Mount Lawley.