OTSUMAMI

257 High St, Northcote - ph: (03) 9489 6132

I love Japanese food and Otsumami is probably one of my favourite Japanese restaurants in Melbourne. Everything works to evoke Japan in this restaurant; it is small, quiet, simply decorated, staff is friendly and attentive and most importantly the food is fresh, well balanced and creative. 

The daily special the night I visited is a good example of this. House cured salmon in brown sugar and sake had great consistency and a very subtle sweet sake taste. 

Brown sugar and sake cured salmon slices with quinoa and yuzu citrus dressing 

Otsumami's atmosphere is casual and doesn't try to be fine dining. But they do pay attention to detail and execution and are miles away from your Japanese takeaway corner shop. 

The sushi was beautifully presented and tasted very fresh. 

Sushi tuna, salmon, kingfish, prawn & eel ($16 for 8 pcs)

The okonomiaki vegetables were all finely and evenly cut, the pancake was crispy and not soggy or too salty.

Okonomyaki vegetable pancake topped with a thick Japanese mayo sauce and nori ($11)

Hubby liked his deep fried chicken pieces. The crumble was super crunchy and not soggy at all. I liked the subtle ginger and soy flavours.

Kara-age chicken marinated in soy, ginger & sake, deep-fried & served with lemon ($13)

 We finished the night with my favourite dessert of green tea icecream .

Green tea icecream ($5)

I had a perfect pre movie meal at Otsumami. The food was served quickly, tasted great and was pretty reasonably priced. Couldn't have asked for more.