Ito Japanese Noodle Cafe.

On a quest to seek more variety in food and spots to eat at in Melbourne, I've found this corner shop that specialises in Japanese cuisine.   It was recommended to me because of its lunch menu, which I have yet to try, because I usually drop by for dinner instead.

Ito Japanese Noodle Cafe

On Bourke Street.

Ito Japanese Noodle Cafe is another Japanese goodie on the corner of Bourke Street and Market Lane, just two doors down from Ajisen Ramen.

First off, I find it weird that there are only lunch menus posted on the display on the outside, but the prices and selections look cookie cut enough to complete my interest in eating here.

I am not sure when, but it seems that they have renovated the are because it looks different from other shots which are floating around the internet.  I like it better now.

*Bunny Hop*

Sushi Bar.

Another bar plus

American Hamburger style Booths?

The warm lighting is lovely and the partitioning of this place is a class above the rest.

I find that the cafe is large enough with ample of walkway to avoid overcrowding.  Sitting at the sushi bar or towards the middle, there is almost an absent feeling of claustrophobia, except for the very back end of the cafe because of the lack of windows.  Good thing for me, I manage to always get seats that offers a nice vantage point view of the entire establishment which has proven quite advantageous.  I get to watch how the barkeep makes his drinks and the chefs going about their business in the sub-kitchen behind the sushi bar.

Sub-Kitchen,

Behind the Sushi Bar.

Have I mention how a menu is very important?  Ito's menus appear to be clean and concise.  Not to mention, there are some amazing shots illustrating their key dishes in the menu.  The problem with this is that everything looks so good on the menu that you will be overwhelmed by what to order because you'd want to try everything.  Let's keep it at that.

Ok now...so where's the food porn?

Ten-don.
AKA Tempura on Rice.

Here's the thing about all the 'Tendon's I have so far eaten here in Melbourne.  They are ALL soggy which is a disappointment, really.  I'm very accustomed to the usual dip-tempura-stuff-in-sauce practice in order to preserve the crunchiness of the fried batter.  Despite that, this dish is very tasty albeit the rice has become salty and sticky due to the thickness of the tempura sauce soaked into it.

Served with two pieces of 'Ebi' (aka prawns), long beans, eggplant, capsicums and a large part of an onion on rice.  Veggies are cooked to a point that it is sweet, but soft with a hint of its natural crunchiness left in them.  As a general rule that was passed to me, veggies need to be prepared with their natural crunchiness intact.  Still, I like this shot so this shall be my first of many food shots to come.

Unagi roll.

Unagi is a favourite amongst everyone, everywhere.  For close to AUD20, you do get an above average portion.  Avocado and cucumbers is probably what I'd use if I were to make this myself...In my opinion, dropping 20 bucks for this is a redundant seeing as how it's cheaper to just order the 'Una-don' as will be shown just below in a few.  The kicker to this is how it is preped.

How to prepare if you're camping. *ponders*

This is the third that was prepared that evening.

This looks like a shot commonly found in a Taiwanese magazine...

I am going to take a wild guess here, but isn't that the gas canister commonly used for Korean BBQ grills?   Besides this, there isn't any reason to order this.  After being spoiled and pampered by the various sushi rolls in South Beach and Miami, Florida, I have come to a conclusion that rolls need to be unique and kickass in the mouth, and not plain and boring like this.

Fire fascinates me...

Unadon.

Unagi on Rice!  This is something that I can eat everyday for the rest of my life.  I'd prefer this to be charred a little more...but this is enough to satisfy my gluttony.  The meat is soft and juicy.  It is the PERFECT baby's food dish.

Grilled Salmon Set.

Second time ordering it.

The main dish itself consists of Grilled Salmon on a bed of Green Veggies topped with crunchy rice noodles covered in light soy sauce.  I can't tell whether this is grilled or pan fried.  It does look and taste like something my mother taught me how to make which is to season with salt and pepper and stir fry it until brown.  The sides include a bowl of rice, salad (Props for freshness) and miso soup.

I find this to be a very lovely and simple Japanese meal, but it isn't as filling as I'd hope for.  The slices of Salmon are really thin.  Although this makes frying/grilling it according to my taste much better, the lack of fulfillment from this drives one to order more.  Hell, I even finished all of the veggies and the salad, but I was still craving for more.

Oyakodon

"Oyakodon (親子丼), literally "parent-and-child donburi", is a donburi, or Japanese rice bowl dish, in which chicken, egg, green onions, and other ingredients are all simmered together in a sauce and then served on top of a large bowl of rice. The name of the dish, parent and child donburi, is a poetic reflection of the fact that both chicken and egg are used in the dish. In Japan, Oyakodon is often served in soba restaurants and other traditional Japanese restaurants."  - Taken from Wiki

This tastes very close to the everyday Chinese simmered stew chicken, plus eggs.  Tender meat, simple food...and that is all that I have to say.

Overall, I like this place.  Dollar for dollar, I'd recommend anyone to eat here.  There's always a large crowd so if you're heading their way, book early ;)

Ito Japanese Noodle Cafe Info.

122 Bourke St.

Melbourne, VIC.

Phone:  (03) 9663 2788

Opens for lunch at 1200.

Photo Info.

Good old Nikon D700 with my one and only travel baby, the 17-35mm f/2.8.  Handheld and shot at F/4 without any flash firing.  Good practice.

One thing that made me uneasy is how often I get people staring when I'm trying to take a shot.  This sort of wears down my patience sometimes.  Also, walking around a place of business taking shots will guarantee a lot more halting and staring.  Holding a big camera, although I dress very casually, people tend to give off a vibe that they are intimidated by me.  I'd figure that an Asian sitting down to eat and taking pictures of everything should be very common around the world these days. =P

Enough ranting!

Hope you enjoy my shots and eat your fish because it's good for you!

Stoutyroo out!