The old Kingston shops have been revitalised with the brand new massive Supabarn and new cafes at the Eyre Street Market. One of the cafes that opened a few months ago and I got excited about is the Japanese-inspired cafe Tokyo Canteen.
On opening day, I walked in for an early breakfast. I missed out on honey toast while in Japan so I really wanted to try it after I saw it on Tokyo Canteen’s menu. The cafe is minimalist and clean with small plants and flowers on the tables. There are stools around the windows, perfect for people watching or solo diners. I’m warmly greeted when I walk in, order and pay at the counter, and sit at one of the stools facing out to the road.
My premium Japanese green tea ($8) arrives first. I try the ‘Tokio’ from Nara in Kyoto which is described as having a sweet berries flavour. I’m told to let it steep for a few more minutes before pouring. It did actually taste like sweet berries and there was no bitterness. An enjoyable tea.
Honey toast originated in Shibuya, Japan, and is a thick cut of milk bread (shokupan) with various toppings. Tokyo Canteen’s Ginza honey toast ($21) with matcha mascarpone, black sesame ice cream, roasted white chocolate and fresh fruit certainly looks decadent with strawberry and matcha Pocky-like sticks and sweet egg rolls on the plate. The bread was soft, fresh and pulled apart easily (nothing more disappointing than dry bread). I love all the key Asian flavours and the matcha mascarpone was light yet still held its own with matcha flavour coming through. The dish actually isn’t that sweet. I found it easy to finish most of it as it’s huge. I could easily order this again.
On another outing, I tried the iced matcha ($8) which goes down a treat. There’s no ice cream, just cold matcha with ice cubes and topped with whipped cream. Perfect and I love that it’s not sweet, it just has pure matcha.
The breakfast okonomiyaki ($20) comes out as a thick pancake topped with a runny fried egg, bonito flakes and a side salad with pickles. The flavour and taste is on point mixed with mushrooms and carrot, however I wish the cabbage was sliced more thinly as they are pretty big chunks! Mr FPJ ordered the umami mushroom toast ($19) sauteed in house miso with a poached egg, pickled mushrooms and rice crackers. It’s a much sweeter dish than expected, perhaps mixed with a sweet soy and honey so it wasn’t as savoury as Mr FPJ thought it would be. There are lots of succulent mushrooms including some dehydrated ones too, and a nice runny poached egg.
I went back to try the Japanese curry with panko chicken ($18 – also a choice of tempura prawn or tofu) which comes with a fresh side salad, miso soup, rice and pickles. The curry is quite thick and plentiful and there’s also plenty of crispy panko chicken. I love how the pickles and fresh salad offset the richness of the curry. Super tasty and will be great in the colder months. It is a filling meal set and one I will most definitely order again. Generous portion and delicious.
I’ve also tried the karaage chicken sando ($18) with pickles, baby cos, Japanese BBQ mayo, that comes with a side of lotus chips and nori salt. A smaller meal than the Japanese curry set for the same price. I love the soft thick white bread, crispy karaage, and crunchy cos lettuce. The crunchy lotus chips add a quirky twist.
I’ve seen photos of the udon carbonara which I’m yet to try, so I can’t wait to go back to Tokyo Canteen to try more dishes. Apart from coffee, the beverages menu also lists a matcha latte, other iced drinks, various premium Japanese green teas and of course the ramune soft drink. There’s seating available inside and outside.
Friendly service, good food and best of all, it’s at my local shops!
Tokyo Canteen
38 Eyre St, Kingston ACT
Opening hours:
Monday – Sunday: 8.30am – 3.00pm
Foodgasm 8.5/10
Service 8.5/10
Value for money 7.5/10
FPJ score 24.5/30
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