AOBA, Malvern

Some people have the iphone application that randomly selects a restaurant for them at times when ideas of where to eat run short. I have something even better. Gaz gets on to the Net, shortlists two or three restaurants based on cuisine and location. I pick one which appeals to us the most and off we go!

Last Thursday night, we went to AOBA at Glenferrie Road, Malvern. This tiny Japanese cafe / eatery sits only about 17 people. The chef was extremely friendly and popped his head from his kitchen to greet customers whenever they come in or pays to leave. Even though there was a wait for tables and food, his customers were happy to wait or simply to take away.

We sat right at the bar and spent the first twenty minutes salivating over the chunks of raw tuna, salmon and king fish awaiting the sharp blade to be cut into size and re-arranged to be atop bite sized sushi rice. I was really hungry by the time we were served, but the food was good. We also got a complimentary bowl of steamed endamame with salt sprinkled on top to tide us while we waited.


I ordered the AOBA box which consisted of a sampler of almost everything. One spring roll, one gyoza, seaweed salad, chicken katsu, potato croquette with rice and miso soup. I really liked the potato croquette which looked home made, but the chicken katsu was a little dry. Perhaps if it was pork katsu it would have been better.


Gaz ordered the Deluxe box - tuna, salmon and king fish sashimi, rolled sushi with salmon, teriyaki chicken, vegetable and prawn tempura with rice and miso soup. The teriyaki chicken was tasted really good, and needless to say I enjoyed the tempura very much.

I told Gaz earlier that I wanted to eat lots and lots, and many different varieties before we entered the restaurant. The two bento boxes definitely fulfilled what I wanted. The servings were reasonable and left both of us full. No eating KFC or McDonalds after that. AOBA is a nice restaurant and we would definitely go back again!