Teppankai

Japanese Izakaya Teppanyaki Bar, Teppankai (铁板海）has just recently launched their new tapas menu. Carefully devised by the head chefs, the Happy Hour Tapas Menu offers contemporary twists on traditional dishes that would tickle anyone's taste buds. Of course, Melbourne Girl and I had to go check it out.

We were warmly welcomed in by smiling staff and shown the tapas menu. Sipping on the sweet, roasted brown rice flavour of Genmaicha (popcorn tea), we watched the kitchen staff, complete with Japanese bandanas, dance around each other and skilfully cook away.

Side Dish of the Day

To start us off, we were served a side dish each. The dish consisted of blanched spinach, earthy and chewy mushrooms, sprinkled with toasted sesame seeds.

Salmon Carpaccio

The salmon carpaccio was fresh, meaty and tender, which was complemented with a house vinaigrette dressing. Thin layers of lemon interspersed between the elegant slices of salmon welcomed bursts of citrus. The dish had spring written all over it !

Spicy Fish Tempura Roll 

Now this wasn't your average $2.50 Salmon Hand Roll. Think buttery salmon, plump vinegary rice encased in a light tempura batter served with spicy mayo and topped with dried chilli. 

Tofu Salad 

Silken tofu cubes, seasonal greens and crystallised seaweed were dressed in a simple wafu vinaigrette. A party of textures, making a lovely light salad.

Kai Kani Maki

A house specialty at Teppankai and the standout dish of the night was the Kai Kani Maki. Upon arrival, the charred, almost sweet scent filled my nostrils. A crab meat roll centre, wrapped in barramundi, a layer of nori, covered in Japanese mayo and then flamed with a blow torch. Topped with tobiko, the pop of smokiness and saltiness really boosted the mouthful to the next level.

Yakitori 

The tender chunks of chicken, skewered on petite bamboo sticks were moist and coated in a sweet glaze.

Matcha Ice Cream

Served with a sweet azuki bean paste and fresh strawberries, the ice cream was rich in matcha and was just the right balance of bitterness and sweetness. A simple but must have dessert to finish off a tasty Japanese meal.

Here on Bray Street, the food is not just a feast only for the eyes, but for your palate as well. Try the Kai Kani Maki and you’ll understand why. Teppenkai's happy hour was truly hours of happiness.

confessions of a little piggy was invited to dine as a guest of Teppankai.

Teppankai

34 Bray Street
South Yarra, VIC