Eat, Drink, Repeat @ Mr Miyagi

Gastrology bloggers dined courtesy of Mr Miyagi.

Drawing influence from the izakaya style of Japanese eating and drinking, Mr Miyagi offers a compelling proposition - stylish, laid back surrounds, a diverse drinks list and a clear focus on serving up delicious, playful dishes.

The decor fuses modern, grungy elements with traditional Japanese design to produce a cohesive whole. 

The dining room is gently broken into several distinct seating areas catering for all moods. 

This includes a row of seats at the bar for those keen to observe the skilful slicing of gloriously fresh fish and mixing of delicious cocktails.

Specialising in Japanese and Pan-Asian share plates, the food served ranges from creative and contemporary such as nori tacos and ramen gnocchi, to Japanese classics such as sashimi, nigiri and yakitori.

Tempura broccoli with kimchi dressing

The soft broccoli was encased in ethereally light and crispy tempura batter. Generously covered with a layer of grated cheese, this dish was vegetarian comfort food and would make anyone with a distaste for broccoli reconsider.

Nori taco  - grilled salmon belly, vinegar rice, spicy napa cabbage, Japanese mayo, chilli oil

Mr Miyagi’s pièce de résistance, the Nori taco was mind-blowingly good. The crisp taco shell of tempura nori sheets was filled with perfectly seasoned sushi rice, tangy kimchi, rich salmon adorned with chilli oil and Japanese mayonnaise. With all ingredients in perfect harmony, every bite was a feast for the senses - a stunning dish.

David Chang’s ramen gnocchi – wagyu Bolognese on ramen potato gnocchi, salted buffalo ricotta

The light pillows of ramen gnocchi were accompanied by a rich, flavoursome sauce and lashings of rich salted buffalo ricotta. Similar but different, this dish was a creative Japanese take on an Italian staple.

Black pig gyoza – pan fried black pig dumplings, soy, chilli, ginger, sesame dipping sauce

The flavoursome pork nestled within the delicate pastry skins was well seasoned and bursted with flavour.

Large nigiri & sashimi combo

Every element on the nigiri and sashimi combo was prepared with great precision and care. The high quality fish was served at the ideal temperature and was clearly fresh from the ocean.

Yakitori chicken skewers

The yakitori chicken skewers were flavoursome, moist and had a delicious outer caramelisation - the result of spending the perfect amount of time on the grill.

Piped hot chocolate doughnuts with pistachio and ginger bread ice creams

Kabocha pumpkin toast – white chocolate and pumpkin ganache, honeycomb, yoghurt sorbet and pumpkin ice cream

The kabocha pumpkin toast can best be described with one word - wow. The scattered presentation was an artistic mix of order and chaos. The bursts of tartness from the yoghurt sorbet worked well with the creamy white chocolate and pumpkin ganache while the honeycomb provided a wonderful textural element. A fantastically delicious amalgam of unlikely ingredients, the kabocha pumpkin toast is a must try for any visitor of Mr Miyagi.

Established nearly 9 months ago, Mr Miyagi has already garnered some well-deserved attention in Melbourne’s dining scene. The culinary offerings are creative, well executed and delicious. Combined with a vibrant atmosphere, diverse beverage selection and warm staff, Mr Miyagi is an exciting new offering and has certainly earned our stamp of approval.

Location: 99 Chapel Street, Windsor

Phone: 03 9529 5999

Link: www.mrmiyagi.com.au

Cuisine: Japanese