It’s been years and I do mean years since Rose, Ronald and I visited Kobe Jones. When it first arrived on the scene many moons ago in 2003, the sushi was an instant hit with Sydney siders and the Volcano Roll and Number 1 special were items that we craved. Then other restaurants opened doing similar things and we moved on, urged by reported shrinking portion sizes and the fact that Sydney siders are spoilt for choice and we love the next, new shiny thing.
One thing that lured us back was the $25 all you can eat sushi lunch special making the rounds. For $25 you could have a platter including the famous volcano roll and an assortment of sushi. Only available on Monday to Friday for lunch it sounded almost too good to be true. So on a sunny Friday we find ourselves circling around Kobe Jones looking for a park which proves a fruitless task. There are only 4 car spaces on Lime Street that aren’t loading zones so if you find yourselves in the same situation as us, parking is available at the nearby Secure Parking at a special rate of $10 (much better than the $35 we would have been charged otherwise).
The restaurant is very busy (perhaps as it’s a Friday afternoon lunchtime). Two waitresses in black and white dresses frantically rush around the floor covering the whole restaurant. They’re rushed off their feet and we feel rather sorry for them. One rushes past and then stops to take our order rather breathlessly. 15 minutes later, our platter comes out. It’s certainly impressive looking with a range of rolls with different colour roe sprinkled on top, some nigiri and in the centre, the famous Volcano roll.
Volcano roll (normally $28 for a what we remember to be a larger portion)
The Volcano Roll features oven baked scallops layered on a crab salad and avocado roll with Kobe’s special cream sauce and a sesame seed and shallot sprinkle. I remember this when we first tried it so many years ago and how much we loved the warm, thick and creamy sauce. It tastes like I remember it and the scallop pieces on this are quite generous. The serving is a little smaller than I recall although from looking around at the other tables, our Volcano Roll for 4 is the same size for Volcano Rolls on platters for 2 people.
Crunchy Roll Tempura prawn with crab salad and cucumber layered with smelt roe and tempura flakes $22
The sushi selection that accompanies the Volcano Roll changes according day by day and today we are lucky to get some of the better rolls. The Crunchy Roll is the table’s favourite. The crunchy tempura crumbs and lightly tempura’d prawns provide a contrast between the crunchy and the soft. I make my usual mix of mayo and soy and dip this in.
Spider Roll Soft shell crab with crab salad cucumber and smelt roe sprinkle $24
Rose loves the Spider Roll which is filled with soft shell crab with crab salad, cucumber and smelt roe sprinkle. I don’t particularly love the “crab salad” which is more seafood extender than crab.
Dynamite Roll Spicy Tuna and Cucmber $16
My favourite roll was the Dynamite Roll with pieces of tender raw tuna and a smear of chili sauce and matchstick thin cucumber batons. There is a sprinkle of chili flakes on our second serve of this but yellow roe on our first serve.
Caterpillar Roll $22 Unagi, crab salad, cucumber with avocado $22
This was a rich combination and good although again I’m not a huge fan of seafood extender salad masquerading as crab salad.
Nigiri Kingfish, Salmon and Tuna normally $4.50 each
The nirigi sadly has seen better times. the first lot appears dry. When our waitress whizzes past us and asks us whether we’d like another platter we nod yes but this time we get to choose which ones we want and the second lot of tuna nirigi upon closer inspection appears to have hairs on it. Of course they’re not actual hairs but blood vessels from where the tuna is taken from the back of the tuna. From speaking to people in the industry, this cut of tuna is perfectly good to eat but many say that they would not have used that particular cut for sushi nigiri where the blood vessel’s appearance is so apparrent. Ingesting hair happens to be one of my worst nightmares so I have to agree, whilst it tasted fine, it didn’t look very appealing. Taste wise the nigiri is not as melt in the mouth as sashimi I’ve had. In fact the kingfish is chewy and reminds me of raw squid which is disconcerting.
Tuna nigiri with blood vessels
We can barely finish the second platter and we resort to eating the centres and leaving the rice. Wasteful we know but our eyes were bigger than our stomachs.
So tell me Dear Reader, what is your favourite sushi?
Kobe Jones
29 Lime St, Sydney NSW
Tel: +61 (02) 9299 5290
Open: 7 days
3 points earned per dollar spent for Qantas Frequent Flyer members
$10 parking available at Secure Parking. Have your ticket stamped at Kobe Jones and then proceed to B4 at the parking station to get the extra tickets to exit the parking lot.
Bookings recommended
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39 Comments | Add your own
Oh my, I’m dying for sushi now! I only wish I could try that Volcano Roll, it looks incredible!
My buddy Libby LOVES sushi. She’d adore this.
And yes, I do snore. But Ben has informed me it’s adorable, ladylike, quiet snorts.
the vulcano roll looks delicious, even the name sounds great. In Germany they use the original names for the sushi. I love the name “dynamite roll”. You must’ve spend a great lunch.
I’ve always loved Kobe Jones for their Number 1 special and volcano roll but also have not been there in ages! Times must be really tough if Kobe Jones is doing an eat all you can now…
Grilled Eel everytime!
Sadly Canberra lacks in sushi resturants
Yes that picture of the tuna with the blood vessels is certainly off-putting to say the least. :~
I have two favourites. Koi in Woolwich – exxy but a beautiful place in which to dine.
I have also fallen in love with asago in the CBD. I am terrible at street names but it’s the one with a conveyor belt inside and is near the Jigsaw store.
I like that statement – “eyes bigger than stomachs” – because yes most often than not that’s the honest truth when ordering! And hmmm that tuna with the blood vessels… that’s something I’ve never seen before but lucky you had a bit of knowledge re nigiri to know that it’s fine to eat ‘em!
We love rolls, rolls, rolls. That Volcan looks a bit intimidating but worth the climb.
I for one always want my sushi & sashimi to look gooood!
Ahh the volcano rolls look yummy! I’ve got to go visit KJ again sometime!
I wanna have Vocano roll ! And this is my first time to see tuna with blood vessels, quite scary ^ ^”
Delicious. I’m in! Love the volcano roll at Kobe Jones – sounds like a bargain! But the blood vessels on the tuna are offputting..
My favourite sushi would have to be the ’slightly torched’ (Aburi(?) sushi) heheh Love the scallops or salmon in that version with a dash of eshallots…) Mmmm! Have heard of Kobe Jones ( its in the Ent. Book…) but never had the urge to try it… Not sure if I like seafood extender or ‘hairy’ looking tuna…
Still love the value at Sanjuna in Chatswood 
Have you tried it yet? 
x
Wow, thanks for the info re the tuna sashimi, I never knew that!
Errrgh! The picture of the “hairy” tuna just gave me a bout of the shivers.
I celebrated my birthday there a couple of years ago. I don’t really remember the food because I was too caught up in the excitement! But I’d love to go back and try the volcano roll! Pity about the serving sizes going down, and the blood vessels on the tuna don’t look very appetising! But $25 is a pretty great deal!
Hi NQN, is that lunch special only valid to a certain date only?
Errr I dunno, there’s something about those obvious blood vessels in the tuna that really puts me off! And it does look rather dry…hmm it seems like there’s a bit of lack of consistency!
Jess #5, reports grilled eel @ Iori in Civic is quite reasonable (not tried it personally however).
Hmmm. I am SO craving sushi right now after seeing those pictures! I love unagi sushi but I tend to prefer maki rolls myself over nigiri. A salmon avocado roll always does the trick for me. Now excuse me while I dream of sliced salmon and tuna sashimi. =)…
the maguro nigiri sends shivers down my mine – looks like a motley bunch of ingrown hairs .. or leeches from the inside .. ahhh
the ‘catch’ for this deal is that they fill you up on rice
I asked the people at Kobe Jones about parking and was told there are no specials!
Can you please explain further about the parking special?
Oh how I love sushi! I crave it all the time and I wish I could eat it everyday. My favourite is always anything deep fried chicken or sweet like Futomaki. I also can eat my weight in salmon sashimi – all dipped in sweet tempura sauce. *drool*
I’ve tried sushi a couple of times but my tate buds just don’t like it. I did however go to Kobe Jones 2 years ago and like you loved the Volcano Roll and Number 1 special! I haven’t been back recently because it did seem overpriced for the portion sizes. Do you know of another restaurant where I can find these dishes?
Hands down for me, my favourite sushi is a freshly cooked -tempura prawn in a handroll with cucumber and roe sprinkled on top – with a dipping sauce of mayo and soy!
I’ve been hearing too many so-so stories of Kobe Jones to want to go there for a first time, let alone a second one.
That tuna nigiri just looks spooky. At least they could have given it an aburi charred top to it to disguise the vessels.
Raw tuna is by far my favourite kind of sushi!
well, this wouldn’t be a good deal for me. all the sushi i could eat amounts to zero morsels. don’t think any less of me, but i just don’t like the stuff.
Oh my gosh the Volcano Roll was amazing when we went a couple of years ago!!!
F.Y.I. – Kobi Jones Melbourne,Docklands has the same special. But I think there is better and cheaper suchi to be had in Melbourne. However the Volcano Roll is special and different and worth a try
Unagi all the way… Dragon rolls are amazing.
I went here for lunch here yesterday. I loved the volcano roll we ordered about 4 of these to be shared amongst my partner and I
Delicious looking sushi! I’ve never seen a volcano roll – very neat! Our favorite is a Golden Bridge roll we get at a local sushi place with the delicious creamy scallop sauce on top.
You were lucky to get such a good selection of rolls on your platter! I really wanted some soft shell crab but unfortunately when I went they didn’t have it.
Oh well, I guess it means that there’s room for more volcano roll then
You know, I’m not much of a sushi fan. Raw or almost-raw seafood (well, seafood in general) isn’t my cup of tea…if I eat sushi, I go with Chicken/Cucumber rolls, or plain egg…I’m boring, I know, but I just don’t like seafood…sorry!
I went to a place in Liverpool last weekend – Sushi Bay. I did try a bit of a California Roll and Hokki Salad ‘Ship’ – didn’t get very far on either…but I ate some Karage, and I have eaten Takoyaki before as well…so my friends (who like Japanese food) are impressed that I’ve tried some! LOL Unfortunately, I’m just not that into Japanese food
Sorry, folks!
I have been craving sushi for a while now, but sadly, no one i know around here likes sushi, and that includes Pascal, so I won’t go and get some :/
I love squid sushi! I’ve heard a lot about this place from my sister, she used to study in Sydney.
Hi Faith-It’s very good!
It has spawned lots of imitations 
Hi Blond Duck-Ahh cool! hehe you do? Haha of course!
Hi Anja-It wasn’t bad although the nigiri were a bit disappointing!
Hi Trissa-Yes it had been so long for us! Yes I suspect so although not everyone was ordering it!
Hi jess-Aww no, what a shame!
Hi sandra-Yes not very appetising is it!
Hi romaverona-Oh yes I’ve heard good things about Koi
Oh yes that’s more of a sushi train is that right?
Hi Trisha-It’s so true with me
It looked as if it were hairy! :O
Hi The Duo Dishes -Haha I’d climb that for sure!
Hi Yas -Yes it’s a shame about the look! I’d love to know what you think about it
Hi Ja-hehe good choice! yes this si the first time I’ve seen it I admit :S
Hi Forager-Yes hopefully it was a one off as the first lot didn’t have them (but the fish was quite dry looking)
Hi Eve-Oh yes I love aburi sushi too. Yes seafood extender is bad as is hairy tuna! I haven’t tried that place yet but thankyou for the rec!
x
Hi Retrodaze-You’re welcome!
Hi shez-Sends shiver sup one’s spine doesn’t it!
Hi Betty-hehe that’s so funny
Yes $25 is great if you focus on the rolls and the Volcano roll 
Hi Dee-I did ask but they said that it was just continuing without a clear end date set.
Hi Steph-Yes it looks hairy!
Yes definitely and one of the chefs came out and looked at everyone. Perhaps he was wondering who got the hairy tuna? 
Hi OMIC-Oh cool! Thanks for the rec!
Hi The Asian Pear-I love rolls too over nigiri as I love seaweed. Hehe you’re excused, I totally understand!
Hi D-Eeek! I never thought of leeches but yes I do see the hair!
Yes well I suppose that it does say sushi and not sashimi. I don’t think any place would do an all you can eat sashimi 
Hi Vivz-Oh really? How strange of them to say that. I explain it all at the bottom of the story under the address details
Hi Karen-Yes I do too. Ahh futomaki is nice indeed! I like salmon more than tuna too
Hi Maria-That’s fair enough, I have friends and family that don’t like it too
There used to be one restaurant in World Square that apparently did the same as the Volcano roll but I don’t know the name and if they’re still doing it 
Hi Rebecca-Ah yes and it has to be freshly cooked right! You’re singing my song there with the roe and mayo and soy!
Hi Simon-It’s not that bad but I don’t know if it’s quite as good as it used to be.Yes they should have just used it for the maki rolls or something where it was less noticeable.
Hi Bill-Ah cool, it’s Mr NQN’s too!
Hi grace-Hehe well that’s just no good for you then!
I wouldn’t think less of you!
Hi Madelin-Yes and the menu hasn’t changed at all really!
Hi Mattie-Interesting to know! Yes I think they’d be in trouble if they stopped making the volcano roll!
Hi Tara-I even like the name of them!
Hi clekitty-Hehe really! Good stuff and I don’t blame you!
Hi 5 Star Foodie-It’s very nice indeed
Mmm creamy scallop sauce sounds divine!
Hi Jacq-Yes they seem to rotate them around and I think we were quite lucky as we got some of my favourites. Yes more volcano roll!
Hi Liv -Hey that’s totally ok! Lots of people don’t like seafood and I’m sure if you told them that they’d give you some rolls that you could eat. Mmm I like karage and takoyaki! Hehe that’s cool, no need to apologise at all!
Hi ArtemisIII-Awww no really?! What a shame! Can you get a bento box to yourself?
Hi pigpigscorner-Ahh really! Did she say good things about it?
hey, that’s my fav restaurant in all of Sydney. I miss it. The Melbourne one is just not the same. My Favourite is the ‘Number One Special’. It’s just amazing!
450D eh. You must get some strange gorks when you pull that out
Standard kit lens?
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