Takumi
32 Bourke Street, Melbourne
03 9650 7020
Japanese
$$$
Food
- Sukiyaki Bento Set
The Good
Nothing.
The Mediocre
Nothing.
The Bad
The Sukiyaki Bento Set was very disappointing. Sukiyaki is characterised by tender, slightly fatty cuts of beef, thinly sliced and lightly boiled in a sweet soy sauce broth. Unfortunately the beef we received today was unbelievablely chewy and tough. Overcooked, low quality and didn’t offer much flavour. The broth was for the most part fine, well balanced in sweet and savoury, though the onions were oddly crunchy, obviously added well after the broth was prepared.
The accompanying condiments were nothing to write home about. The tiny portion of diced mushrooms were old and dry. The sweet potato cubes unseasoned. Sashimi was very cold, and tasted literally of nothing. The only good side was the salad, which was fresh and was nicely dressed with a sesame mayo.
Our jug of water also tasted of heavy plastic, so much so it was not fit for consumption.
The Verdict
Even at $15.80 for a lunch bento set, this hardly represents value for money. Low quality ingredients poorly executed accompanied by day-old sides. If you are looking for an authentic Japanese dining experience, this is certainly not it.
Would Penguin Eat Again?
Definitely not.