IKEDA BAR — Restaurant in Sydney

Writing something bad about a restaurant is for me a last resort. I am very aware of unfair damage that can occur when unreasonable criticism is published. So I will simply tell the story of what happened tonight.

Having previously had a pleasant meal there before and after checking recent reviews I visited very much looking forward to some Japanese food.

First, curiously, their menu does not show prices. When I enquired I was told “tell me what you want and I tell you”. While coloured plates from food on the sushi train had prices the printed menu with many options showed no prices apart from the Bento box style meals on the rear of the menu. After I complained about the lack of prices they appeared to avoid me. Very difficult to budget the cost of the meal in the absence of prices.

Every salmon related dish was not available as they had run out. I understand that - it can happen. So I ordered from the menu some pan fried pork gyoza. I ordered from the menu because a number of the dishes on the sushi train (including gyoza) performed multiple revolutions without a lid covering the food. They would have hot when made whenever. A fundamental breach of food safety and hygiene.

I was shocked when a very short time after the order I received a small serving of cold gyoza - the same plate that had been travelling uncovered past other diners. The other dishes uncovered included spring rolls and something could have been pieces chicken on a skewer. When I drew this to their attention the staff said nothing at all.

A female staff member of Japanese appearance grabbed the miso soup I had barely started and said “no pay”.

To avoid further conflict I insisted on paying for my barely consumed miso and departed.

I do not know what has happened since I last visited. I suspect a change of proprietor.

Draw your own conclusions from this tale. I hope they get their act together and learn about food safety. This has been an issue at other sushi train...

I have tried this store a number of times over the years. Prior to it changing hands the platters were enjoyable. Since they changed hands the service is appalling. The first time I ordered two platters a couple of days before the pickup date, something they had indicated as a preference in the past. The person taking the order was clearly put out by the request. They huffed and puffed and reluctantly agreed to make the order. When collecting the items they were similarly annoyed. It is unclear why, if they don’t like making the platters they should remove them form the menu. I have avoided the shop until today and will not be returning. The staff were rude, rolling their eyes and huffing when we asked to sit at a table instead of the bar. The place was virtually empty with only three other customers. It was around two pm and well and truly after the lunch rush. Overall this place is dark, the staff are rude the food is nothing amazing enough to save...

“Best sushi in the mountains (only sushi in the mountains)”

Where to begin is an excellent question. Do I begin with the claustrophobic thrown together scene? The different coloured light bulbs? The young female worker who was visibly and quite enthusiastically staring at my girlfriend with the extremity of any mortal man to Venus? The tonkatsu filled to the brim with seaweed? The rubber textured squid nigiri (which gave me food poisoning by the way)? Or maybe the melted cheese on our prawn tempura roll?

It’s a very tough thing writing such a critical review on what can only be described as: a close encounter with the third kind.

I’ll cut this one short. I give a ten. Out of 10. To never come here, ever. Please avoid, it is not a good experience.

Ps. The one benefit of this incredibly inauthentic sushi train experience, the stories which will become oral tradition for generations to come.

Worst restaurant I’ve ever eaten...