J-Pub Shogun, Lonsdale Street

Harrow...

So since I've been back to Melbourne, I can't help but feel pretty bored, almost SICK of the food from almost every meal I eat in the city. Don't get me wrong, it's still really good and all and I'm sure visitors would love it just as much as I did the first time I was there.

It's just that it's my 3rd year here, and every time I eat at the same place again, I just keep thinking, "Meh... I've been here for the Nth time and been seeing the same menu for the Nth time too... ZZZ...".

Which is weird that I feel this way cause most of my friends have been here longer than I have. Anyway, I guess that's why I end up packing up the rest of my food almost every time, just cause my stomach refuses to go on the same thing any further.

I am in dire need of something FRESH and NEW to eat in the city. Somewhere that gets me excited about food the same way it did the first year I was here... Please.

And fortunately enough, I regained that same euphoria once again tonight over dinner with my friends.

So my friend and I were at McDonald's working together last night, and he casually mentioned to me that his Dad owns and runs this sort of new Japanese restaurant (which I've been meaning to try for a while now) in the city. Less than 24 hrs later, I got my friends to go with me to try out this new place.

And all I can say is... YUM. So refreshing to see items on the menu that I've never seen in other Japanese restaurants before that actually turned out REALLY good. To top that off, I really loved the service and ambience they had going on in the restaurant and I can't wait to go back for their famous Yakitori next time.

Also, I guess I've always been a little sceptical about Japanese food cause 3/5 of them severely lack authenticity that's why most of the time I would opt for Korean food. Also the same reason that there are only THREE Japanese restaurants in Melbourne that I am extremely fond of.

And after tonight, I am so glad that I have found another place to add to my extremely short list of good Japanese restaurants in Melbourne =)))

Only thing is, it may be slightly over a student's budget so it's not something you could eat every day, but so are the other restaurants in my list so oh well. Was really worth the money though =D

So anyway, dinner tonight was at:

J-Pub Shogun Japanese Restaurant and Bar

3/233 Lonsdale St
Melbourne VIC 3000
(03) 9663 3996

Funnily enough, my friend is actually Korean and not Japanese lol. But thanks anyway, Jay, for the GREAT recommendation! Your Dad was super funny and cool with all of us and really LOVE the food! Would definitely go back some day =)

Now for the piks, enjoy!

Appetizer #1: Sashimi Tower Salad - An enjoyable way to eat bite sized pieces of tuna and salmon sashimi with salad!

Appetizer #2: Dragon Sushi - Sushi with Ebi (prawn) Tempura, Unagi and Cheese. Like all our favourites put together. Highly recommended to eat it immediately before the cheese begins to harden and while you can still taste the crunchiness of the prawn!

Main #1: Yaki Udon - Stir fried udon with seafood. A really tasty dish which was thankfully not oily

Main #2: Stir-fried egg plant with minced meat, garlic shoots and spicy miso paste - Rather salty but otherwise tasty. Thought the garlic shoots were a fantastic idea. Complimented the dish really well.

Main #3: Tonkatsu - A bit over-cooked but batter was cooked and browned really nicely.

Main #4: Ebi Mayo - Prawn Tempura in special mayonnaise sauce. Extremely big and succulent prawns MMM. And hey, how can you go wrong with fried food served with Jap mayo, even at home. Right again.

Main #5: Rice with shredded salmon in Dashi broth - Served as an "after dinner" dish by the Japanese but can't seem to remember what it's called ARGHH!! Anyway, all of us LOVEDDD this cause it was so simple but DAMN was the Dashi broth delicious!! In perfect harmony with the salmon and rice. MMMM

Erm, we might have ordered a bit more than usual (without regret!) cause we only ate at about 9:45 p.m. and were so so hungry

A genuine smile after experiencing the joy of discovering somewhere nice and new to eat again with my dear friends

Jay's Dad was so cool to us, especially after he found out that I worked with him. He kept coming over to talk and laugh with us while making sure the food was okay. Towards the end, just as we were contemplating dessert, the waiter sent a plate of Black Sesame and Green Tea ice cream our way complimentary of his Dad. THANKSSSSS MR. KIM!!!!

Anyway, 2 appetizers, 5 mains, 2 drinks and a great meal later, bill came up to be AU$105 (excluding ice cream) which was approx AU$25 per person, money well spent if you ask me =)

Hope you guys are doing awesome wherever you are!

Much Love,

Winston.