18 June 2021

Hot in the City: Okami to open all you can eat Japanese restaurant in Mawson

| Sophia Brady
Japanese food

Okami to open all you can eat Japanese restaurant in Mawson. Photos: Supplied.

Launching at the end of May, Okami is taking over the large, renovated space that was occupied by Olive at Mawson and Just Clowning Around before it was gutted by fire.

Founded in 2013, the chain originally popped up in Hampton, Victoria, and now has over 30 locations in Melbourne and Sydney. The Mawson location is the brand’s first to open in Canberra.

The concept of Okami is to offer an all-you-can-eat dining experience serving up Japanese food. Usually, the words ‘all you can eat’ conjures up images of people queuing with plates in hand to load up at the long communal buffet tables piled high with food, but Okami has a fresh take on all-you-can-eat.

Unlike a traditional buffet where all the food is present for diners to serve themselves, every dish at Okami is freshly made to order: guests pick from a menu and it’s served at the table. The portion size varies to accommodate the number of the group, and all items are designed to share. It is a more customised experience so you can have more of what you want.

Sushi and sashimi platter

Sushi and sashimi platter at Okami.

The menu is packed with a range of over 30 Japanese dishes that you would happily order at any other Japanese restaurant. The difference is that you can have it all at Okami for a set price as part of its ‘all-you-can-eat’ feast for $36.80 per person.

The thinking behind the concept that the owners of the chain applied is to make Japanese cuisine more accessible and budget-friendly. They felt a trip to a Japanese restaurant has traditionally been an expensive outing, especially if you want to try a range of dishes. Their vision was to create a place for every occasion with a family-friendly atmosphere, affordable pricing and an innovative all-you-can-eat concept.

The menu is split into entrée, main and desserts. There are 20 dishes alone to pick from the entrées, from miso soup, beef carpaccio and prawn gyoza to a sushi and sashimi platter. Mains include teriyaki steak, seafood tempura and chicken katsu, while dessert has options of black sesame ice cream and green tea taiyaki, a beautiful fish-shaped cake.

Japanese food

The menu is packed with a range of over 30 Japanese dishes at Okami.

Okami will open at the end of May at 8 Mawson Place, Mawson. The restaurant will be open for lunch on the weekend and Tuesday to Sunday for dinner with two dining sessions per evening.

Original Article published by Sophia Brady on The RiotACT.

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