Ken's Kissa

This place transcends its label as a mere “cafe” — the food we ate today was wonderfully crafted and the taste was out of this world. The vibes were comforting but also very unique — the table numbers being Japanese prefectures is such a neat idea! We especially enjoyed the ochazuke — every simple element of the dish coming together was mindblowing, and it comforted our bodies deep down into our souls. Ken-san was very nice as well! We’re definitely coming back and can’t wait to try their other dishes.

Tasty, fresh, and well made Japanese food with great service. We went here around a month ago and had a pleasant experience. We got the hitsumabushi ($39.50). It was a little pricey but the meal was great. The eel was soft, buttery and coated in a nice sweet/salty glaze. All sides which came with the meal, complemented the eel well. 4.5-5/5. My favourite dish was the kaarage nanban ($23.50). The chicken was tender and juicy, while maintaining a decent crisp coating. The vinegar glaze had a nice tanginess to it, and the tartare sauce was creamy. All together, it provided a very flavourful experience. The sides were also great. 5/5. We also ordered the hot salmon ochazuke ($27). This dish was pretty good. The salmon pieces were tender, the toasted rice crackers provided a nice nutty flavour and crunchy texture, and the vegetables were fresh. This was bonded well together with the rice and the ginger dashi broth, which was savoury and peppery. 4-4.5/5. We also got the teriyaki salmon ($20.50). There was nothing special to write about it, but it was well made. The salmon pieces were soft, and coated in a respectable sweet/salty glaze. 4/5. Service was also very friendly and helpful. Weekends are very busy here. We had to wait for a table for a bit under an hour. Overall, well made Japanese food which was consistent.

Absolutely incredible salmon appetizer — hands down the best I’ve ever had! The flavors and textures were perfectly balanced, and I honestly wish I could give it 6 stars instead of 5. I didn’t catch the name of the dish, but it was beautifully presented and unforgettable. I’m just a traveler passing through Sydney, but I sincerely hope to come back and enjoy this amazing dish again someday.

This place has authentic, delicious, and budget-friendly Japanese food. The food is flavoured perfectly and well-decorated. I can’t say enough about their food honestly the best! I had hot/iced matcha latte here, the hot matcha was good but the iced matcha was bland and I barely tasted the matcha flavour. The customer service is friendly, lovely and attentive. I love how the chef goes outside to check on the food quality. The shop is small and cozy, so I recommend to come early if you want a spot and avoid waiting. They also sell onigiri, cakes, and sandwiches if you want to grab a quick breakfast and lunch.

The food is fresh and delicious, and the onigiri balls are a must try. I also loved their matcha muffin, not too sweet. The pastries are surprisingly good for such a small spot. The staff are very friendly and helpful, and the service is quick. Perfect place for a bite or a light snack.

One of the best Japanese restaurants in the district! Fresh food, very tasty. Friendly and caring staff. Will come back for sure.

This cozy Japanese-run restaurant has around 30 seats, including indoor and outdoor areas. The team of 8–10 staff work efficiently between the kitchen and tables, speaking Japanese, which adds to the authentic atmosphere — it truly feels like being in Japan. We arrived around noon and had to wait for an hour as there were 10 groups ahead of us. Given the limited seating and that food is freshly made to order, the wait time during peak hours is at least 1 hour. Thankfully, they have a clear sign at the entrance to manage expectations. The drinks are excellent — I really enjoyed the hojicha latte, slightly sweet and very comforting. Despite being made fresh, our food arrived within 10–15 minutes, likely because hot pot udon and bento are relatively quick to prepare. The hot pot udon was perfect for winter — it stayed hot right until the end. We didn’t linger after finishing since there was a long queue outside, but I enjoyed the overall Japanese vibe. I’d love to come earlier next time to try their Japanese all-day breakfast or other signature dishes!

We visited as a pair, and the food was absolutely delicious! The portions were very generous—so much that we couldn’t finish all the rice. My apologies for that. Still, the presentation, taste, and service were all excellent. The only reason I gave one point less is because of the location—it’s right in front of the busy Military Road—and the shop itself is quite small, so the atmosphere is a little affected. But of course, that’s not the restaurant’s fault. I will definitely come back again By the way , coffee was great too!