Modern Japanese Gem

SYDNEY: This new Japanese bar and restaurant is a chic, intimate and scrumptious sanctuary on Oxford Street. Welcome to Kaya Sydney. By Daniel Chamberlain.

Kaya, Sydney’s newest Japanese Izakaya bar, is paying homage to the growing trend of Asian and Western fusion by embracing Eastern traditions and adding a contemporary twist.

Located on Oxford Street, Kaya is like a cocktail and culinary sanctuary in a storm of thumping beats. Similar to the likes of Toko on Crown Street, it serves up tasty modern Japanese dishes but at a significantly lower price point. Of course, cheaper doesn’t mean a compromise on quality. Head Chef Stephen J Lim’s 25 years’ experience working in some of the finest Japanese restaurants both in Australia and overseas has helped him to design a sophisticate, delicious and competitive menu full of Robata grill-inspired cuisine.

To allow you to sample flavours as diverse as seaweed summer crab to braised pork belly all in one sitting, Lim’s menu was designed to share among small groups. To start, I’d recommend a combination of the edameme with spicy salt, fresh Hawkesbury pacific oysters with salmon roe and ponzu, and scrumptious chicken karage also known as ‘Japanese Fried Chicken’ or ‘J.F.C.’ For mains, both the shell grilled scallops dressed with citrus ponzu and the braised pork belly are not to be missed. However, the clear standout is the 24-hour slow cooked wagu rib with dashi radish. With meat so tender, it literally falls off your chopsticks.

An equally fabulous and exotic beverage menu complements all this. There is just about a cocktail match for every dish, with flavours designed to refresh the pallet and enhance the flavours of each course. My personal favourite was the Bonsai Massacre, which is the ultimate combination of vodka, lycee sweet and blood orange sour. However, for those looking for something a little simpler, there is also a wide selection of wine, beer and cider.

Combine a succulent menu with a killer cocktail list, intimate lighting and a chilled-out vibe, and you have the makings of one of Sydney’s hottest new diners.

[Images] Photos: Courtesy facebook.com/kayasydney

Kaya Sydney, 96 Oxford Street, Sydney. Go to www.kayasydney.com