LOCATIONThe heart of Dickson’s Chinatown and restaurant district.
PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIAA stalwart of contemporary Asian dining, teppanyaki showcases everything Japanese – its cuisine, cookery and culture. While it was originally developed as a way of infusing Western cuisine with Japanese dining, the fascination of westerners worldwide with the tricks, techniques and art of teppanyaki has guaranteed its success as a popular dining experience. On this level Wasabi in Dickson does not disappoint. Expect cheeky chefs hurling crockery, condiments, eggs (whole and cooked), prawns and a wide range of other edible items into your mouth, bowl and – more than likely – your clean white shirt. There are three sets to choose from, all of which comprehensively cover the Japanese classics. A miso soup and a pot of sake will get you underway and from there on you can be sure of tender barbecued meats, including juicy marinated beef, teriyaki chicken and crispy fried prawns, all cooked in the Japanese signature teppan tradition. Wear something you can expect to get dirty!
On the other hand, if you are not taken with dodging supper or perhaps want to try something a little more romantic, Wasabi caters for you too. The cafe-style interior distances you from the drama of the teppanyaki section and means you can slurp your way through udon soups and noodle dishes, flavoursome tempura sets and fresh sushi and sashimi in peace. The restaurant is fully licensed, allows BYO and is child friendly. Wasabi has recently set up shop in Manuka, bringing the fun and excitement to the fashionable shopping district. So pull out an old shirt and get your friends or family together because dinner doesn’t get much more exciting than this!
Nick Hadland, November 2009