It’s that time again when you need to head out east – Brunswick East to be exact – and check out Kumo Izakaya & Sake Bar.

Kumo (‘cloud’) Izakaya opened during the first week of August in Lygon Street, Brunswick East. Izakayas are known for having have a great range of small and large dishes ordered as-you-like-it as the night unfolds and this is no exception.

Andre Bishop who also runs the two Chuji’s, Nihonshu and Robot Bar has put his sake knowledge to the ultimate test and is focusing on what he knows best. Andre was nice enough to walk us through the full sake list and give his recommendations. With his help we settled upon a bottle of Kitzakura Draft Blue Sake. It was a mellow sake with the aroma of pear – light easy drinking.

We started with the ceviche which was glorious and the chef must have had some fancy knife-work to dice the chives so finely. Next up was oysters served natural with Ponzu and Lemon were a perfect mix of cream and understated heat. The Asian mix of juices complemented the salt of the oysters.

Another standout dish was the King Prawn Fry Wrapped in Potato with Green Tea Salt with its outer layer of crispy beautifulness and a fat prawn that was cooked perfectly. The Braised Kurobuta Pork Belly Pie kicked a goal with pastry done to perfection with chunks of pork belly in the centre. The accompanying sauce played a major part adding to the succulence of the dish.

The Fruity Plum Wine Karaage Chicken was another star dish. It was perfectly tender inside and crispy on the outside – just how it is meant to be. The plum sauce is drizzled over the top to give the chicken and accompanying salad a nice sweet edge.

Andre Bishop has served up a great location to lose yourself in Japaese Sake, food and culture on the main drag of Brunswick East.  Take the time to visit Kumo Izakaya & Sake Bar where they are keeping up with the traditional elements of izakaya but also breaking new ground.

Kumo Izakaya & Sake Bar

152 Lygon Street

East Brunswick

Ph. (03) 9388 1505

Monday-Saturday, 5:30pm-late

Details: Kumo

By Nic Crilly Hargrave