Myriad Japanese flavours in one Sydney dining precinct

Darling Square is staking a claim as Sydney's mini Tokyo with its range of Japanese eating venues.

Located in Haymarket, next to Darling Harbour, Darling Square is now home to 60 retailers, cobblestone laneways and a village green.

Darling Square has recently boosted is position as one of Sydney’s most dynamic dining destinations with the recent arrival of several Japanese venues.

Yayoi (top image), Moyashi, and Don’to combine to offer a selection of authentic Japanese flavours, spanning everything from traditional teishoku and all-you-can-eat hot pot to donburi rice bowls inspired by Tokyo’s Showa era.

Yayoi, an international teishoku (a meal served on a tray with several components) brand that started in Tokyo in 1886 that says it "blends traditional flavours with a modern sensibility".

The restaurant interior features contemporary design and authentic Japanese crockery. Guests can enjoy over 30 dishes, including signature sukiyaki, limited-edition chicken hitsumabushi, and an array of matcha desserts.

Yayoi will also launch a happy hour from next week, running daily from 1-6pm featuring $6 beers and wines and a $12.50 Premium Malts set.

Moyashi brings a Japanese hot pot buffet concept with seating for 77 guests.

The restaurant offers two buffet options - a $58 standard and $78 premium experience - featuring up to 56 sides, unlimited soft drinks, and ingredients including fresh seafood and Wagyu beef.

Completing the trio, Don’to opened its doors last month, introducing Sydney diners to a retro-inspired Japanese eatery. 

Created by the team behind Nakano Darling, Don’to specialises in fast, flavourful donburi rice bowls, with signature dishes such as gyudon (beef), stamina don (pork), and teriyaki chicken don.

For more info visit www.darlingsq.com

A new way to discover serious satays

A lot of people think satay is simply a seasoned chicken dish cooked on skewers and served with a peanut sauce.

Well it is. And it is also a whole lot more.

A new Sydney eatery aims to show the many varieties of satay that are part of Indonesian culinary culture.

Dapur Sate - a celebration of Indonesia’s street food culture - is the latest creation of Eyie Dewanto, a pioneer in Indonesia’s food scene known for her successful pastry business Dapur Cokelat,

Dewanto, alongside her business partners Ayu Zulia, a fellow Indonesian restaurateur, and Winnie Nawei, an experienced food and beverage business owner, has created a space where diners can try the different styles of satay found throughout Indonesia in a relaxed, street-style atmosphere.

"Satay is more than just a dish to me - it's a symbol of Indonesian culture and tradition," Dewanto says. “Dapur Sate was born from the concept of a “Dapur” or "kitchen," a place where Indonesia’s diverse satay dishes come to life.

"I want to share the vibrant and varying flavours of this dish from my homeland. Every satay skewer tells a story of the streets of Indonesia, where grilling meats over open flames creates a connection between family, friends, and community."

The menu at Dapur Sate is rooted in tradition, with every skewer grilled and served with rich, flavourful sauces that originate from around the archipelago and capture the essence of Indonesian cuisine. The team makes the satay sauces daily using fresh ingredients and traditional cooking methods. 

The menu includes chicken satay Madura featuring a rich peanut sauce from Madura Island; lamb satay Tegal served with a savoury-sweet soy sauce, a specialty from Tegal; and beef satay Maranggi Purwakarta that from West Java and is marinated with spices and served with sweet soy sauce. 

Add in chicken satay lilit Bali, wrapped around lemongrass skewers and paired with fresh sambal matah; chicken satay Taichan, a favourite from Jakarta served with spicy chilli and garlic sambal; and Nusantara grilled chicken, marinated in traditional spices, served with a sweet, simmered tempeh and tofu.

There are also side dishes, sandwiches and sweet options available.   

Dapur Sate is housed in the Exchange building located at the heart of Darling Square in Haymarket, home to other small, street-style vendors.

"Working with Eyie, who is a pioneer in the Indonesian food scene, has been an incredible opportunity," says Zulia. "Our goal with Dapur Sate is to bring people together through the joy of authentic satay, and we can’t wait for Sydney to experience this piece of Indonesian culture."

Dapur Sate is now open in Darling Square 7 days from 11am, offering both dine-in and take away options. Main courses come in at $16.99. See dapursate.com.au.