Comments on: Q&A: Will Tempura Hajime be fabulous for the price? http://www.tomatom.com/2009/03/qa-will-tempura-hajime-be-fabulous-for-the-price/ The insiders' guide to food and drink in Melbourne. Since 2005. Tue, 07 Feb 2012 07:40:44 +0000 hourly 1 By: pistol http://www.tomatom.com/2009/03/qa-will-tempura-hajime-be-fabulous-for-the-price/comment-page-1/#comment-86273 pistol Sat, 14 Jan 2012 08:30:09 +0000 http://www.tomatom.com/?p=1138#comment-86273 um, no offence but you have to understand what your eating before you can critique it, did you just graduate from McDonalds?? yu-u's speciality is the handmade soba, obviously wasted on you expert food bunnies, in fact you probably didnt order it did you, as you have to generally order it in advance?? hmmm missed that one shira nui, OMG, now your just telling everyone you are a complete morons. its not really janese sushi is it, its all cooked !!!!!!!!!!! and why, because its not fresh thats why you cook it the idea behind japanese food is that its simple and basic and thats what you are supposed to taste Shira nui is not any of this, but please go there so i can enjoy the real japanese food no wonder Melbourne's real japanese restaurants are so few in number because the stupid clientele doesnt even know what it is and writes it off, and wants the crap stuff sad state of affairs for a so called food city atleast K knows what he is actually talking about, the other people really should never have commented um, no offence but you have to understand what your eating before you can critique it, did you just graduate from McDonalds??

yu-u’s speciality is the handmade soba, obviously wasted on you expert food bunnies,
in fact you probably didnt order it did you, as you have to generally order it in advance?? hmmm missed that one

shira nui, OMG, now your just telling everyone you are a complete morons.
its not really janese sushi is it, its all cooked !!!!!!!!!!!
and why, because its not fresh thats why you cook it
the idea behind japanese food is that its simple and basic and thats what you are supposed to taste

Shira nui is not any of this, but please go there so i can enjoy the real japanese food
no wonder Melbourne’s real japanese restaurants are so few in number
because the stupid clientele doesnt even know what it is and writes it off, and wants the crap stuff

sad state of affairs for a so called food city

atleast K knows what he is actually talking about, the other people really should never have commented

]]> By: Ed http://www.tomatom.com/2009/03/qa-will-tempura-hajime-be-fabulous-for-the-price/comment-page-1/#comment-44894 Ed Sat, 11 Apr 2009 06:40:13 +0000 http://www.tomatom.com/?p=1138#comment-44894 K Thanks for that detailed analysis. It's interesting to hear about the Australianisation of flavours in some places such as Ocha - more so than Nobu. K
Thanks for that detailed analysis. It’s interesting to hear about the Australianisation of flavours in some places such as Ocha – more so than Nobu.

]]> By: K. http://www.tomatom.com/2009/03/qa-will-tempura-hajime-be-fabulous-for-the-price/comment-page-1/#comment-44879 K. Thu, 09 Apr 2009 11:40:36 +0000 http://www.tomatom.com/?p=1138#comment-44879 The Tempura-Hajime start-up owner Daisuke (who's now suppose to have sold Hajime again), sold Yu-u to an ex-Kenzan chef a couple of years ago already. If anything, the Yu-u food has improved, its just that in reality Yu-u has always been like a higher grade Izakaya (Japanese tapas bar equivalent) for businessmen to take their mistresses to drink shochu/sake after work and make them drunk, hence they wanted no publicity in the press. It was never meant to be high end food, how can one compare it to restaurants like Ocha or Shiranui? Besides, Ocha isn't even Japanese food as well - the flavours and ingredients are all Australian-biased, but cooked with Japanese sauces and spirit. Its even less Japanese than Nobu or Umami/Misuzu, which at least have some traditional resemblance. Even Shira-nui is Australian biased flavours with its heavily seasoned or salted sushi nigiris, or grilled/baked fishes and oysters. Back to the topic - Hajime is probably the best tempura house in Melb, but again that's a matter of relative measurement and how much you've been trained to eat Tempura. There are around 3 types of Tempuras available in general (further sub-divided depend on oil used for 2 of them), but mainly distinguishable by their batter. Hajime does it the authentic Tempura bar type, with its thinner and browner than normal yet non-flowered batter, I've certainly had better tempura in Japan of this type, especially with regards to the batter and non-oily batter qualities. Yet, the main attraction of Hajime to Australian customers is their unique combination of ingredients used for frying, a style copired from higher end, dedicated tempura houses in Japan. The biggest flaw of Hajime to me is that, you're forced to eat the whole Omakase set and you don't really get to order what you really crave - is a la carte additional orders, even an option after you finish the meal ? Someone can ask Hajime. So in the set, you get only 1 tiny prawn the width of a pencil (this ko-ebi small prawn is authentic in Japan too, but at least you get more than 1 'pencil' there if you want). You get more Set Menu choices at McDonald's than here, but they're charging $70 for so little food! The Tempura-Hajime start-up owner Daisuke (who’s now suppose to have sold Hajime again), sold Yu-u to an ex-Kenzan chef a couple of years ago already. If anything, the Yu-u food has improved, its just that in reality Yu-u has always been like a higher grade Izakaya (Japanese tapas bar equivalent) for businessmen to take their mistresses to drink shochu/sake after work and make them drunk, hence they wanted no publicity in the press. It was never meant to be high end food, how can one compare it to restaurants like Ocha or Shiranui? Besides, Ocha isn’t even Japanese food as well – the flavours and ingredients are all Australian-biased, but cooked with Japanese sauces and spirit. Its even less Japanese than Nobu or Umami/Misuzu, which at least have some traditional resemblance. Even Shira-nui is Australian biased flavours with its heavily seasoned or salted sushi nigiris, or grilled/baked fishes and oysters.

Back to the topic – Hajime is probably the best tempura house in Melb, but again that’s a matter of relative measurement and how much you’ve been trained to eat Tempura. There are around 3 types of Tempuras available in general (further sub-divided depend on oil used for 2 of them), but mainly distinguishable by their batter. Hajime does it the authentic Tempura bar type, with its thinner and browner than normal yet non-flowered batter, I’ve certainly had better tempura in Japan of this type, especially with regards to the batter and non-oily batter qualities. Yet, the main attraction of Hajime to Australian customers is their unique combination of ingredients used for frying, a style copired from higher end, dedicated tempura houses in Japan.

The biggest flaw of Hajime to me is that, you’re forced to eat the whole Omakase set and you don’t really get to order what you really crave – is a la carte additional orders, even an option after you finish the meal ? Someone can ask Hajime. So in the set, you get only 1 tiny prawn the width of a pencil (this ko-ebi small prawn is authentic in Japan too, but at least you get more than 1 ‘pencil’ there if you want). You get more Set Menu choices at McDonald’s than here, but they’re charging $70 for so little food!

]]> By: Ed http://www.tomatom.com/2009/03/qa-will-tempura-hajime-be-fabulous-for-the-price/comment-page-1/#comment-44853 Ed Fri, 03 Apr 2009 23:18:22 +0000 http://www.tomatom.com/?p=1138#comment-44853 Jacqueline, Very pleased you enjoyed it. And I think that's the thing, it's not an every week place but very special once in a while. Jacqueline,
Very pleased you enjoyed it. And I think that’s the thing, it’s not an every week place but very special once in a while.

]]> By: Jacqueline http://www.tomatom.com/2009/03/qa-will-tempura-hajime-be-fabulous-for-the-price/comment-page-1/#comment-44852 Jacqueline Fri, 03 Apr 2009 21:52:54 +0000 http://www.tomatom.com/?p=1138#comment-44852 Hi all, quick report..LOVED IT ! Walked out happy as Larry. Couldn't eat it once a week...but it was a great treat for a once in a while. I think I would get even more enjoyment of just seeing newcombers reactions to the food and the tiny, intimate, dining setting. Best bit was tuna roll wrapped in nori, then fried..we kept looking at the bit he'd trimmed off to keep our bits perfect and were like eyeing it off desperately ! Yum. Hi all, quick report..LOVED IT !
Walked out happy as Larry. Couldn’t eat it once a week…but it was a great treat for a once in a while.
I think I would get even more enjoyment of just seeing newcombers reactions to the food and the tiny, intimate, dining setting.
Best bit was tuna roll wrapped in nori, then fried..we kept looking at the bit he’d trimmed off to keep our bits perfect and were like eyeing it off desperately !
Yum.

]]> By: Jacqueline http://www.tomatom.com/2009/03/qa-will-tempura-hajime-be-fabulous-for-the-price/comment-page-1/#comment-44789 Jacqueline Wed, 25 Mar 2009 23:43:23 +0000 http://www.tomatom.com/?p=1138#comment-44789 Thanks everyone, we will still go there then, I think it's going to end up being a "to do" place, just to get it out of our system. Then we can go back to enjoying Ocha and some of the other suggestions on this post. Piere, the "have u ever really had a prawn" reeled me in too ! Thanks everyone, we will still go there then, I think it’s going to end up being a “to do” place, just to get it out of our system. Then we can go back to enjoying Ocha and some of the other suggestions on this post.
Piere, the “have u ever really had a prawn” reeled me in too !

]]> By: Olivia http://www.tomatom.com/2009/03/qa-will-tempura-hajime-be-fabulous-for-the-price/comment-page-1/#comment-44778 Olivia Wed, 25 Mar 2009 00:38:37 +0000 http://www.tomatom.com/?p=1138#comment-44778 I went to Tempura Hajime once just to see what the fuss is all about. Found the experience to be quite unique and the food fab, but that's about it. I wouldn't go back there for a WOW japanese food experience. As for Yu-u, I also went because there seems to be raves about it and found myself disappointed. I would rather go to Maedaya if I'm looking for yakitori (and Maedaya is cheaper too) I think one Japanese restaurant that gives you the WOW dining experience is still Shira Nui. Sit on the sushi bar and let the chef brings you the sushi! But that being said, the last time I went back was a year ago. I remember I spent about $90 per person, so with the current economic downturn, I don't think I'm coming back anytime soon. I'm now eager to try Ichi Ni!! Thanks for the review Ed! I went to Tempura Hajime once just to see what the fuss is all about. Found the experience to be quite unique and the food fab, but that’s about it. I wouldn’t go back there for a WOW japanese food experience.

As for Yu-u, I also went because there seems to be raves about it and found myself disappointed. I would rather go to Maedaya if I’m looking for yakitori (and Maedaya is cheaper too)

I think one Japanese restaurant that gives you the WOW dining experience is still Shira Nui. Sit on the sushi bar and let the chef brings you the sushi! But that being said, the last time I went back was a year ago. I remember I spent about $90 per person, so with the current economic downturn, I don’t think I’m coming back anytime soon.

I’m now eager to try Ichi Ni!! Thanks for the review Ed!

]]> By: Jess http://www.tomatom.com/2009/03/qa-will-tempura-hajime-be-fabulous-for-the-price/comment-page-1/#comment-44771 Jess Mon, 23 Mar 2009 12:01:18 +0000 http://www.tomatom.com/?p=1138#comment-44771 How- I usually call on the last day of the month so I get the booking for the coming month with free reign. After the second time, I learnt that. They changed the booking policy after the influx from the age review, a while ago. Five times, yeah, that wasn't planned. It all just happened. And my daddy? Myself. Oh, I miss employment. How- I usually call on the last day of the month so I get the booking for the coming month with free reign. After the second time, I learnt that. They changed the booking policy after the influx from the age review, a while ago.

Five times, yeah, that wasn’t planned. It all just happened.

And my daddy? Myself. Oh, I miss employment.

]]> By: Pierre http://www.tomatom.com/2009/03/qa-will-tempura-hajime-be-fabulous-for-the-price/comment-page-1/#comment-44770 Pierre Mon, 23 Mar 2009 01:45:38 +0000 http://www.tomatom.com/?p=1138#comment-44770 Yes Jacquie, Ocha IS that good. Liked Akita, be it many years ago, Yu-u was OK-ish, we were not crazy about Hajime, all too much the same and we didn't really get the "have you ever REALY had a prawn bit" which was most of the reason we went. The only non tempura courses, the salad, had rock hard cherry tomatoes in mid winter with seaweed, surely they could have found something more seasonal than that. With Ocha's antipasto always different, your guaranteed not to get bored. And, is only $20-ish. Yes Jacquie, Ocha IS that good.
Liked Akita, be it many years ago, Yu-u was OK-ish, we were not crazy about Hajime, all too much the same and we didn’t really get the “have you ever REALY had a prawn bit” which was most of the reason we went. The only non tempura courses, the salad, had rock hard cherry tomatoes in mid winter with seaweed, surely they could have found something more seasonal than that.
With Ocha’s antipasto always different, your guaranteed not to get bored. And, is only $20-ish.

]]> By: mel http://www.tomatom.com/2009/03/qa-will-tempura-hajime-be-fabulous-for-the-price/comment-page-1/#comment-44763 mel Sun, 22 Mar 2009 06:23:42 +0000 http://www.tomatom.com/?p=1138#comment-44763 I agree Jill, Akita is great, and very reasonably priced. I ate there last week; four of us shared a large selection of the smaller dishes and paid only $150 all up (byo wine). The service is also great, friendly and attentive but very unobtrusive. I agree Jill, Akita is great, and very reasonably priced. I ate there last week; four of us shared a large selection of the smaller dishes and paid only $150 all up (byo wine). The service is also great, friendly and attentive but very unobtrusive.

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