Kansai, Wynyard
Missing out on a veritable feast of all-you-can-eat ribs and whatnot at Cafe Ish made me terribly sad and somehow during my bemoaning of such misfortune, I ended up at an all-you-can-eat sushi restaurant in the CBD with Ffichiban and Ninja.
Unlike me, they both were dutiful and timely bloggers and have already posted up their take on Kansai. My bad – I actually have no excuse really and it’s all really a bit of a mystery why this hasn’t gone up earlier.
Kansai offers an all-you-can-eat dinner for $28 per person (excludes hotpot and sashimi, or $18 for kids) or $38 per person (includes hotpot and sashimi, or $28 for kids). We figured with such an extensive menu, we could do without the hotpot and sashimi and opted for the $28 all-you-can-eat.
Agedashi Tofu
The agedashi tofu wasn’t too bad, being a bit more firm than expect and slightly chewy, but the sauce saved it.
Gyoza
I had to laugh when I saw the gyoza, as it reminded me of my shock on seeing just how big the Korean dumplings I had at CeCe’s were; these gyozas were a lot bigger than I’m used to seeing… and more deep-fried. Though I can’t complain, they were crisp and tasted quite decent.
Salmon Skin Roll (Grilled Salmon Skin and Cream Cheese); Volcano Roll (Crabmeat, Cucumber and Avocado filling topped with Baked Salmon, Tobiko, Spicy Sauce and Mayonnaise)
I have a bit of a love-hate thing with salmon skin: I love the crispy texture, but its slight fishiness puts me off a bit. However, the addition of cream cheese pushes me more towards liking it, as I think it helps cuts through the fishy flavour.
My worry that the volcano roll would be a bit too spicy for me was unfounded as the “spicy sauce” was merely a mild sweet chilli sauce. While I rejoiced, Ffichiban lamented on the (almost non-existent) heat. Though to be honest, with such a name, one would expect to see an explosion of flavour or heat, so I can see where he’s coming from. I really enjoyed its creaminess and crunchiness topped off a hint of spiciness (for me anyway, I don’t think the guys even experienced any heat! Haha).
Chicken Karaage
When Ffichiban ordered the karaage, he chortled at Ninja’s obvious discomfort and I hoped Ninja wouldn’t cave into the temptation of chowing down these crispy morsels. I felt slightly bad for eating them, but they were rather good and I couldn’t help but assist Ffichiban in polishing them off.
Yakitori
The guys absolutely adored this dish and ordered it several times! I can’t say that I was immune to its deliciousness and suspect that its addictive nature lies in that amazing yakitori sauce liberally drenching succulent chicken pieces.
Soft Shell Crab, Scallop Tempura and Spicy Tuna Handroll
Salmon Roe, Scallops, Scampi and Salmon Sushi
The handrolls and sushi seemed to have more rice than filling and the fillings we had weren’t too bad, but it also wasn’t that great either. I think subconsciously, we all moved onto better things on the menu. Except for the scampi, that is; the guys seemed to be really taken with it and was the only sushi that was re-ordered.
Tonkatsu
Deep-fried, crispy, succulent pork – I don’t think you just can go wrong with Tonkatsu! And I think to make up for not being able to eat the kaarage, Ninja ate this with gusto.
Dragon Roll (Avocado and Deep Fried Prawn Filling with Eel, Tobiko and Kansai Eel Sauce) and Rainbow Roll (Crabmeat, Cucumber and Avocado filling topped with Seasonal Sashimi)
Contrary to Ninja’s description of my reaction to both dishes when I first clapped eyes on them, I did not squeal – I oooh’ed. With such colour and decorativeness, you can’t help but appreciate! Both were really delicious and I wished I had a bigger stomach… or four to fit more of them in.
Italian Roll (Crabmeat, Cucumber and Avocado filling topped with grilled Mozzerella Cheese, Spicy Sauce and Mayonnaise) and Salmon Skin Roll (Grilled Salmon Skin and Cream Cheese)
The Italian roll was something I haven’t seen before and glad that I didn’t have to beg the guys to order it. They seemed a bit hesitant because it sounded so strange, but that was the very reason why I wanted to try it!
The grilled cheese really added a different dimension to the roll in a very scrumptious way, as well as the roll being wholly warm. We all wanted to order another Italian roll, but by this stage, I think we were completely and utterly stuffed.
Putting aside that I find it odd that there is a restaurant open at night in the Hunter Connection (right by the escalator heading towards Hunter Street) when everything else is closed, it is definitely a “cheap and cheerful” place with friendly and quite attentive staff. The food comes out with little delay and while the quality varied with each dish, I thought there were more hits than misses. I think if I ever feel the need for all-you-can-eat sushi, I’ll be sure to come back.
Rolling out the door, and despite how full we were feeling, we went looking for a place to have dessert. Deciding against Lindt at Cockle Bay for its distance, we found ourselves at Max Brenner located in the Metcentre just around the corner from Kansai.
Dark and Milk Italian Thick Hot Chocolate ($6)
The chilly night made me yearn for something hot and also wanting something sweet after dinner, the Italian thick hot chocolate really hit the spot. Ffichiban told me that he likes getting the dark version over the milk because the milk tend to get overly sweet after a while. I thought I’d get the milk hot chocolate anyway as I prefer milk to dark chocolate (blasphemy I know to those who don’t think milk chocolate is proper chocolate). He was right though – halfway through, I found myself needing a glass of water to combat the cloying sweetness; the thickness of the hot chocolate didn’t help things much, but oh! It was wonderfully scrumptious at first. Next time I’ll get the dark version, as I felt terrible not being able to finish my drink.
Chocolate Souffle ($10)
We all wanted something sweet to eat as well, but none of us had space for a dessert alone – so we opted to share a dish: chocolate soufflé with an oozing chocolate-y centre. Oh! It was absolute bliss and we easily polished it off, leaving only chocolate sauce scrapings on the plate.
We definitely rolled home after that. I was so full I thought I was going to pass out on the way home! I think that will teach me to try and keep up with the guys. Tsk.
Kansai
Shop B1, Hunter Connection
7-13 Hunter Street
Ph: (02) 9231 5544
Web: www.kansai.com.au/
Max Brenner
Shop MG 24, Metcentre,
273 George Street, Sydney, NSW
Ph: (02) 9251 7788
Web: www.maxbrenner.com.au/
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By squishies
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This article was written on 28 Jun 2010, and is filed under Dessert, Dinner, Japanese, Sydney, CBD.
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Kansai has been on my wishlist for quite some time now. Much of the food looks damn fine and for all you can eat, those prices are reasonable
john@heneedsfood´s last [type] ..Fried eggs with chestnut mushrooms- kangaroo lup cheong -amp chilli
I love sushi! Although I'm afraid of going to this kind of all-you-can-eat type of thing cause I know I'll just overdo it, which is not so great for the waistline!! But the dragon roll and rainbow roll look so pretty…. and you can't go wrong with chocolate at the end of the night
Hahaha… I tell myself that it’s just sushi – rice and fish is surely good for you and not too fatty. But of course, I’m totally ignoring the fact that there’s also deep-fried stuff and stuff with mayo in it.
You really can't beat the price and the food looks great. Sure, as you said there were a few misses, but all in all, what value with good food.
Squeeeeee!
Happy times, nice photobomb in there. Fortunately karaage don't hurt me no more.
Oh this is a dangerous combination for me! All-you-can-eat & Japanese! Do they give you a time restriction? LOL…
I think it’s more dangerous for the fact that there is no time limit! We were there for a while hehe
I haven't been to an all you can eat sushi thing for a very long time because it tends to be cheap, belly filler food – lots of rice, not great cuts etc. But this looks pretty good. Surprised they even had scampi! Yum!
all you can eat sushi?
i never even thought such a place existed… must try this place..
hehe @ the tiny crab claw…
Oh dear, now I feel like sushi for dinner! Although the cold is preventing me from doing so. And I want to go here to try it out but I don’t feel like trekking into the city. Why do I read food blogs before dinner?!
Excellent selection for an all-you-can eat, I must say =)
Whoa – I normally go for lunch so I’ve never seen that huge variety.
Yum @MaxBrenner
squueeeeeaaalllllls here too ^^! Hee hee sorry bout the photobomb haha and yeah we should dinner again seomtimes!
Haha it’s all good =D
Yes! We’ll have one soon ^_^
Oh man I miss sushi…
[...] deal that is full of raw uncooked fish for health safety reasons, but after reading what the others have to say about Kansai $28 all-you-can-eat plus the seafood do look decent and fresh from their [...]