A couple readers of mine (Carolyn and angevb) recommended Sakae to me and as I always do, I write all restaurant recommendations in my black moleskine notebook. This evening, Mr NQN, The Assman and I are in search for good food after an afternoon geo caching (geo caching for them, reading cookbooks in the car for me – yes I am not an outdoorsey person). As a student, the Assman’s criteria was that it needed to be less than $20 per person and it had to have some vegetarian options. Realising quickly that we might have to travel a bit for our meal given these conditions, we decide that Sakae it is!
Complimentary noodles
A small rectangular shaped room it’s busy with diners. We’re given our complimentary appetiser, a little bowl of noodles. These are not too bad although a little sweet and a bit bland. But it’s free and we’re hungry so we aren’t complaining.
Ramune (Lemonade) $3
My husband tries the Ramune – that is Japanese for Lemonade if you sound it out and he and the Assman are both intrigued by Katakana and how the Japanese pronounce western words for which they don’t have a sound (eg the “Le” in Lemonade is “Ra” here). They’re also a bit intrigued by the bottle where you take the top off and push down the glass ball to break the seal and are rewarded with sweet, bubbly lemonade.
Agedashi Tofu $5.80
The Agedashi tofu, often underseasoned is done well here with just enough flavour. The Assman is very please with his choice.
Beef Tataki with homemade sauce $9.80
We start with the Beef Tataki which is what reader Carolyn recommended and we’re asked if we want the Ponzu sauce or the “homemade” sauce. I ask the waitress which one is better and she firmly replies “homemade”. The beef is deliciously soft and tender and melts in the mouth.
Medium sushi platter $15.80
This is a generous serving of fresh sushi with 8 pieces of inari sushi and some nori wrapped maki with salmon as well as two pieces of California Roll. It’s fresh and tasty and very good value although I have to admit that California Rolls aren’t really my favourite.
Salmon and tuna maki rolls
The maki rolls in particular are my favourite (I’m a seaweed fiend) and I particularly like the combination of tuna and salmon.
Chicken Katsu
We finish off with the chicken katsu meal which is a thin layer of chicken breaded and deep fried. It’s crunchy and not bat at all although I think that our other two dishes were more satisfying.
Green Tea Soba
The Assman’s choice perhaps looks healthy and a touch boring but when I try it I am won over. The stock is delicious and the delicate green tea flavour in the soba is subtle but gives it an interesting flavour. He and Mr NQN are pleased that we ticked the boxes and I’m glad that we discovered a new place 
Japanese Dining Room Sakae
138 Rowe St, Eastwood NSW
Phone (02) 9804 7420
Open 7 days
No credit card, cash only
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20 Comments | Add your own
We’ll take rolls over chicken katsu anyday. The CA rolls are a fave, along with tuna.
I’ve visited Sakae once and thought the servings were quite generous. That sushi platter looks like good value, I’ve had far worse for much more!
The Beef Tataki looks very interesting – never seen this before.
Am so excited to try this place, I live locally and haven’t found a good Japanese in the area. THANK YOU for the recommendation!
I love the Japanese Ramone (lemonade!) bottles. I like the ones with faces
That green tea soba looks so good!
Do you seriously have a buddy named Assman?
They will see me next weekend
chicken katsu looks like it’s got a good crunch factor. although better check your spelling, says ‘It’s crunchy and not bat’. thank god it’s not bat. hehe
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Mmm I adore Ramune, but never knew what it meant in Japanese! Thanks for the lesson Lorraine
And that sushi looks so tasty, especially the prawn one, I don’t know the name of it. Hmmm now I have a craving for ramen/soba.
I love those little drinks. I love the little balls in them, and you can shake-a-shake them and make tons of noise! haha! I’m still a 7-year-old kid.
btw, you misunderstood me…I LOVE durians! haha! the stinkier the better! I will never understand ppl who hate durians!
MMMMM…Lorraine, the beef tataki looks fabulously delicious! What a yummie place!
Hi The Duo Dishes-I love those sushi rolls too but can I have both?
Hi Steph-Yes which is great when you have hungry boys!
Yes small sushi platters=very bad indeed 
Hi Anita-It’s very good. The meat is very tender, like a carpaccio I suppose!
Hi Sally-Oh very cool! Greta to hear-there’s also Zenya whichI think has incredibly good eel. Hope you like them and you’re welcome!
Hi Fiona-They’re for the big kids like us!
Hi Anna-It was really good I have to say. I didn’t think it would be that good to be honest!
Hi Blond Duck-Hehe yes! Well he works in ASSet MANagement so that’s why he gets the name Ass Man. Not for any other (dodgy) reason!
Hi Big M-It will be good for feeding the boys!
Hi Simon-Hah how did you know I didn’t mean bat?
Hi red neon hearts-Oh cool, you’re welcome! I find katakana very interesting and not just because it’s the only one I can understand
Hi Sophia-Me too! I was so excited when I saw them
Oh no, you do? Arrgh I can’t take them. I thouhgt you were a fellow durian hater! 
My bestie just moved near here-we’re so going to go this weekend. Tnx so much! =)
Yay! I’m glad you made your way over and enjoyed!
beef tataki with homemade sauce is the best! My husband was felt a bit funny eating raw beef but he actually really loves tataki now:) I like this place because the food is always fresh and reasonably priced! Always good for a casual meal out!
That Green Tea Soba looks great. I like different takes on anything that is reen and fresh. Glad you enjoyed!
Hey, I have a black moleskin notebook too
Chicken Katsu is one of my faves!
I love soba!
Hi Brianna-that’s great! Enjoy your meal there!
Hi Carolyn-thanks for the recommendation!
We dove right in, it just looked and smelled great!
Hi Libby-it was really good. We usually have regular soba but if I see green tea again I’ll order that!
Hi ArtemisIII-hehe really! They’re great aren’t they
Me too, I love it all actually (except for natto)
Glad you enjoyed the food there! We’ve just recently discovered another great eat in Eastwood. Across the railway to the Korean side of Eastwood, there’s a small sushi bar called Hukuya. ABSOLUTELY fresh and yummy sashimi!! Their Unaju is not too bad either. Unfortunately, it’s a place that you need to book ahead, unless you are willing to wait at least 20mins during peak time.
Definitely highly recommended for their yummy sashimis!!
Hi angevb-Cool! Thanks for letting me know about that place too!
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