I've never been overly impressed with Japanese food in Melbourne. It's one of those things - once to have it in Japan, the quality and price difference is hard to stomach sometimes. Melbourne has a few decent ones of course - Shira Nui has nigiri omakase, Shoya has a nice set menu, Yokoyama has shiromi sushi, Izakaya Den has stylish grit, Koko has atmosphere, Yu-u I still haven't managed to get a second reservation to try - all have very high prices. Chuji is probably the only reasonably cheap one. Nonetheless Bone Daddies has kept my cravings along the lines of ramen, something I'm yet to find a good tonkotsu version here yet. Reading about the new places online, the ramen ones all have mediocre ratings. But light at the end seemed to be a relatively recent (2012) soba venture - something I've walked past in the week prior to eating there and haven't taken notice.
They pride themselves on homemade handmade soba with a buckwheat mill visible in the dining area. The staff are Japanese (adding authenticity) although given the raucous goodbyes, I now would somewhat expect the missing "irasshaimase" to be added.
They have a nice selection of sake and umeshu, including some cocktails. Like everywhere else, it is reasonably expensive but the umeshu range (my choice of Japanese drink poison) is better than I've seen anywhere in the western world.
- Agedashi Tofu - firm tofu, daikon, bonito shavings, spring onion in a strong salty dashi. Delicious;
- Kingfish Salada - tender sashimi slices with mixed salad and ponzu dressing;
- Takoyaki - good doughy texture but I hoped for more tako on the inside;
- Tempura Soba - a beautiful dashi-based miso soup, slightly chewy soba and some nice light prawn & vegetable tempura on the side (thank goodness not served dunked in the soup);
- Sake Pudding - creamy, sweet topped with yuzu citrus. Nice way to balance the meal at the end.
Overall a good experience, something different in Melbourne and something to hit the healthier noodle craving. Perhaps they'll branch out to tonkotsu ramen soon...
Next time I would order any of the soba dishes as well as the agedashi tofu (although if you get the hot soup soba, you might find the flavours of both too similar - but it's worth it). Everything else is optional.
