Ryu Japanese Kitchen
Shop 1, 51 Bayswater Rd
Rushcutters Bay, Sydney
Ryu is a new Japanese restaurant that’s literally just arrived in Rushcutter’s Bay. Its an intimate affair with only 12 seats, six at the bar where you can watch the chefs in action and three tables for two at the window, perfect for people watching.
We arrived for dinner on a Thursday night, just two days after the restaurant first opened If you’re a local looking for your recently departed sashimi master, you’ll find him here turning out some of the best sashimi, nigiri and sushi in town.
The space might be intimate, but that the menu is far from it, with a long choice of delicious Japanese specialities to choose from. For our entrée we chose a house prepared duo of burdock (with a crisp and sesame seed + carrot garnish) and capsicum (green and yellow with walnut and benito garnish)
Next we tried some Shabu Shabu which was elegantly served in a most traditional manner, with special Japanese paper in a basket. This dish boasted market fresh leather jacket with greens, Swiss mushroom and carrots all with a special house made spicy radish addition for ponzu sauce. Everything was so fresh and light with delcious flavours and the process of blanching the fish was almost as enjoyable as eating it.
We then moved on to the signature Toban Yaki Wagu Beef Strip Loin. Expertly prepared, perfectly cooked and presented in the traditional method, the Wagu was tender and richly flavoursome with a wonderful aroma. The beef was accompanied with greens and a house specialty mash including a scollop reduction that was blended though for the most subtle and delicate addition. If you like beef, then this dish is not to be missed.
Finally we also enjoyed 2 huge platters of nigiri from the master in the kitchen. All made fresh and flavoursome with house made accompaniments.
The platters were filled with Salmon, Snapper, Perch, Whiting, tuna and Kingfish. Everything was fresh and delicious, so much so, that even Count N devoured all the Nigiri, which isn’t normally a favourite for him.
All this was topped off with a well curated wine list from which we selected our favourite Llewyn Estate Reisling.
If you like quality Japanese food with authentic service and atmosphere then Ryu is not to be missed. We predict it will quickly become a favourite for locals plus a destination for great food. We definitely will become regulars. The Counts dined as guests of Ryu.