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Sushi Nova (Ballarat)
Reviewed
Food
- Spicy Mayo Karaage Chicken Don
- Spicy Mayo Karaage Chicken Don
The Good
Nothing.
The Mediocre
The Spicy Mayo Karaage Chicken Don was the marginally better of our two orders, though that is hardly enthusiastic praise. While the chicken had escaped the worst of the fryer, several pieces were still unpleasantly chewy. The coating lacked the crisp, irregular texture we expect of good karaage, instead offering a damp and rather heavy bite. An underwhelming effort.
The Bad
The Chicken Katsu Curry Don was an even greater disappointment. The chicken had been fried to such an extent that it was dry, stringy and genuinely difficult to chew. Accompanying it was a curry sauce with precious little depth or individuality, tasting much like an uninspired packet preparation. A simple Japanese comfort dish should be far more enjoyable than this.
The Verdict
Sushi Nova managed to make two straightforward fried-chicken rice dishes surprisingly unpleasant. Neither the chewy karaage nor the dried-out katsu demonstrated the texture we expect from these Japanese favourites. The forgettable curry did little to improve matters. With both dishes falling short on basic execution, we have no reason to return.
Would Penguin Eat Again?
No
Penguin Rates
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