We often overhear unusual things in public places. Not deliberately mind you, but sometimes a conversation will waft over when there’s a moment of silence and sometimes it’s intriguing so you stop to listen for a bit. We’ve also heard very odd conversations such as the one we overheard at Kasumi Dining Room during our visit. It’s empty save for one table and the music is soft so we can’t help but overhear it.
“What do you think would win in a battle. A Christian animal or a Non-Christian animal?”
I almost spit out my drink chuckling at that. And of course you know the answer they gave right? The Christian Animal would win according to them.
Odd overheard conversation aside, we had been interested in going to Kasumi for a while, over a year in fact ever since we spied it when we dined at Uighur Cuisine next door. Japanese Izakayas are one of my favourite places to eat as they feature small meals of tasty dishes – perfect for someone like me who loves sampling as much as possible. My excitement at visiting an Kasumi Izakaya is dampened when were handed our menus showing a range of set lunches. It seems the Izakaya only comes to life at night.
Chicken Udon $8.80
The Chicken Udon has a decent amount of chicken and a fragrant, delicious broth with spring onions, seaweed and bonito flakes on top. The udon itself isn’t particularly amazing but it’s not bad overall and thankfully not too soft.
Deluxe Chicken Karaage Bento box $18.90 with miso soup and salad
The deluxe bento box is large. The sashimi isn’t too bad although you wouldn’t necessarily call this the freshest sashimi (my husband who loves tuna sashimi comments on this in particular). The chicken karaage is lukewarm and not very crunchy and a disappointment. The tempura is also lukewarm but at least crispy and not soggy with a prawn, 2 types of fish and a whole shiitake mushroom.
Perhaps it’s the time that we’ve visited. We have a look at the Izakaya menu and whilst the serves are small, prices are about $15 for each dish which isn’t quite in tune with Izakaya prices (usually under $10). In any case, I guess we learnt the answer to the question about the animal which had nagged us so 
P.S. If you spend over $20 per person and mention eatability you will get a free sashimi dish which is apparently not a bad size.
So tell me Dear Reader, have you eavesdropped on any bizarre conversations?
Kasumi Japanese Dining Bar Details, Chinatown
Shop 2, 6-12 Harbour Street (Cnr of Leverpool St and Dixon St)
Sydney NSW 2000
Phone (02) 9283 6678
Open 7 days
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22 Comments | Add your own
mmm love Jap!
Here’s another one for your moleskin… Koi at Woolwich
Must book though! Aparently lots of high profile people go there?!
I love the small dishes at Izakayas too, pity they don’t have it during the day! Haha what a hilarious conversation to overhear! I overheard a great one at uni: “Who needs a girlfriend when you can stay at home and play World of Warcraft?!” Yes, he was being serious.
I love Japanese izakayas too! Oh and I’ve walked past this a million times but never really attempted to go inside… maybe I should try it.
Kura next door is a much better meal for around two thirds of the price. The Chicken Karaage there is very nice. Don’t order the chicken teriyaki though – dry.
I heard mixed opinion on this place from my Japanese friends. They say the service and quality are different from when they opened – I don’t know if that’s good or not. Maybe I should pay a visit and see how it is sometime. (and I have had 2 chances, but I ended up getting Korean Fried Chicken from Arisan lol)
Another recommendation for your Moleskin perhaps.. there’s an Indonesian restaurant nearby to Kasumi which is on the other side of the street. We had lunch there and had one of the lunch specials which at $10.80 was great value for a plate of coconut rice, chicken curry, prawn sambal, omelette, extra curry sauce, sambal and more! Very similar to the Malaysian nasi lemak. Service was weird for a fancy looking restaurant though. You had someone at the bottom of the stairs ushering customers in, who has a walkie talkie in which she announces to the waiter in the restaurant the number of customers arriving. Then once you walk in, you have to place your order at the counter before you’re ushered to your table! Maybe this was just for lunch, and dinner is more a more ‘fine dining’ type service?
Hi! Firstly, I hope your husband is doing well and recovering, I send you all my sympathy, I would totally freak out in the same position and I totally agree with the need to normalise with social activity. Do let us know how he goes.
My friends and I recently went to the new Azuma on George St – Kushiyaki Azuma. I don’t know if it’s an izakaya exactly, but it runs on the same principle maybe? Lots of small dishes and grilled things on skewers, and the food was quite good too. I loved the chawanmushi and finally got to try ochazuke! There are other unusual items on the menu too. Unfortunately at dinner time they have a minimum order of $35 per person, and when it’s full, the service gets quite erratic (orders forgotten, etc), but I reckon it might be a good place to go for lunch during a quiet weekday.
Now I can’t stop thinking about what constitutes a “Christian animal”…
Bizzarre conversation, yes got plenty of those all around me. The other day I was overhearring about people discussing the differences between Western porn and Japanese porn. It was quite fascinating. ha ha.
and to think that people actually talked about that loudly at an izakaya!
Ah – I’ve always been tempted but never make it past Kura’s door. Their honest, cheap fare is hard to beat. But then again that sashimi in your last photo sure looks fresh, generous & tempting!
To Min Ai:
The Indonesian restaurant you’re talking about is called Delima.
Such an odd conversation considering it is stated that animals can not go to heaven, therefore, they will and can never be christian.
I love Udon, and Bento Boxes are always the best, so it’s a terrible thing that this isn’t done too well.
i usually don’t order udon when i eat jap outside because it seems so easy to make at home (just the packet ones) but the one you’ve pictured looks quite good.
That is a bizarre conversation! Battling animals? Must be playing too many video games.
I love to go to Japanese houses and try different Bento boxes. Wonderful.
Oh no – the bento box looks so promising, and I do love a good bento box. Oh well, there’s always the lovely soup.
I just stumbled upon your blog, and I love it! Beautiful photos, and I like your observations.
The only funny conversation I can think of is at a Dim Sum restaurant in Hawaii. The waitress didn’t know that I was cantonese and could understand everything she was saying to the other waitress. She was badmouthing us because we didn’t choose to share a table with another group!
Another recommendation for you:
Sushi Rio across the road, on the corner of Sussex and Liverpool. Best kept secret in Sydney although I think the secret’s out because lately it’s really full all the time!
P.S. it’s suppose to be a sushi train but when you open their menu, you’ll see it VERY tapas style (and all dishes under $10)!
The bento box looks huge and has everything I like!
Oh i do know this place. I walked by a lot, but never dined there. I guess I would not go in there.
I had a really bad experience at the Uighur Cuisine next door though. One customer accidentally hurt himself with the broken glass AND the waiters there just ignored him. In the end one of us called the ambulance. So I would NEVER come there again!
Hi Carolyn-Ahh yes I’ve heard of that one. Thanks for the rec
Hi Steph-Yes we were so disappointed! We had ideas of recreating our Tokyo adventure. LOL that is hilarious! Did you laugh out loud?
Hi trisha-I’d love to know what their Izakaya food is like at night. And they seem to have a few freebies so that’s not bad.
Hi Harimau-Are they related to the Kura opposite Paddys Markets?
Hi Yas-Ahhh opinions from Japanese people are always good to hear! Korean Fried chicken sounds like an excellent option!
Hi Min Ai-Cool, sounds good. I think we walked past it just after we left here!
Hi Syn-Thankyou so much, you are too kind
He is progressing well and I expect him home at the end of the week. Otherwise I’d be tempted to stage a kidnapping attempt! 
Oh yes we walked past this place after we had a meal at a nearby restaurant. will keep the minimum in mind although we always seem to go over $35 per person 
Hi Taiko Tari-Haha I know! We were wondering really
Oh now that would have been worth eavesdropping over! It was pretty empty so perhaps that was why.
Hi Forager-It’s a pretty good price but I think we came a bit late in the lunch.
Hi Harimau -Cool, thanks for the name!
Hi ArtemisIII-It was very odd! It was the kind of thing you might expect drunk people to come up with
It is disappointing when it’s not done well I agree, as it usually looks so pretty!
Hi Panda-I know, some of the packet udon isn’t bad and it’s so quick! But hubby loves the noodles
Hi Arwen-I know! I think you’re right
Hi Bethie-Great plan! I love bentos too! I love trying a bit of everything
Hi Cakelaw-fried foods always need to be hot. I think it would have been nice if it was hot and crispy. Yes the soup was delish!
Hi Candy-Aww shucks, thankyou!
Aha! She was so sprung! That’s so rude? That reminds me of a time in tokyo I overheard a girl talking to her boyfriend about me whether he thought I was attractive or not. It was hilarious! 
Hi Vivz-Oh yes it looks different from other sushi places. Almost like a nightclub
Good to know that it’s good, thanks!
Hi pigpigscorner-It was pretty big. I only finished about half of it!
Hi Anh-Ahh why is that? Yes Uighur’s service isn’t great. I was pretty annoyed about how they charged us for something even they misunderstood our order and gave us more. Pity as the food is interesting!
Aww pity this place isn’t better since it looks so nice! I especially like the wooden plaque.
Have you been to the Jap place opp. Uighur that has the sign “the second best Japanese restaurant in Sydney” or something haha?
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