Located at the end of a hidden alleyway at the back of Bridge Lane, Kid Kyoto’s neon sign is a gateway into a nostalgic place. A teal archway is covered in kanji graffiti of Nirvana lyrics leads to a space influenced by the rows of torii gates at Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine in Japan with rocking sounds of 90’s music.
Kid Kyoto (Photo Supplied)
Opened in November 2017, Kid Kyoto offers an alternative take on Japanese cuisine with Justin Lee as Head Chef.
Kid Kyoto Bar (Photo Supplied)
The drinks menu includes a comprehensive wine selection, Japanese and local craft beers and shochu as well as a large choice of premium sakés, whiskeys and gin, along with saké flights.
Kid Kyo-tini
Kid Kyo-tini ($20) combines Archie Rose ‘Kid Kyoto blend’ gin with Noilly Prat vermouth, Toji saké, fennel and edamame shrub. The elegant style martini hits the right spot allowing the gin’s botanicals to shine along with flavour of sake and finishing on a savoury fennel note. An ideal sipper to accompany the lighter dishes from the menu.
Screaming Elf
Screaming Elf ($20) takes it up a few notches with Suntory Kakubin whisky, Akashi ‘Black’ whisky, edamame syrup, yuzu bitters and sandalwood. A fine sipping whisky cocktail with a hint of wood smoke.
At Kid Kyoto, they tell you that the food menu at Kid Kyoto is designed to be shared, and it’s for good reason: you’d want to try as many dishes as possible.
Wagyu Beef Tartare ‘Teriyaki Flavour’
From the Raw & Unplugged comes the Wagyu Beef Tartare ‘Teriyaki Flavour’ ($18) with nashi pear and whipped katsuobushi. Mix it all together and eat it with the rice crisps. France meets Japan in this delicious dish that’s big on umami. Fresh, savoury, creamy and moreish, it’s dishes like this one that give the word ‘fusion’ a good meaning.
Grilled Tiger Prawns
From the ‘Izakaya Intro’ menu, the Grilled Tiger Prawns with lime miso tare ($16) are a must-have. Presented on skewers for easy handling, simply remove the head and enjoy the sweet prawn meat that packs a little heat which is cooled off by the crispy, pickled daikon and red cabbage.
Charred Calamari Skewers
Another impressive dish from the ‘Izakaya Intro’ menu is the Charred Calamari Skewers with quandong tare ($14). The calamari is ridiculously tender, sweet and sticky with a lovely char that lingers.
Silky Braised Eggplant
Japanese cuisine does very well with eggplant dishes and the Silky Braised Eggplant with caramelised miso and bonito ($16) topped with crispy Jerusalem artichoke chips is no exception. Generously sized, the eggplant melts in the mouth, and unlike many versions that tend to be very sweet, this dish offers a good balance of sweet, savour and a lovely umami note from the bonito white the Jerusalem artichoke chips add texture and crunch.
Shiitfaced Crispy Chicken
With a name like Shiitfaced Crispy Chicken ($30), this dish is begging to be ordered. A Kid Kyoto take on Drunken Chicken, Shiitfaced Chicken is a whole chicken in a delicious broth made sake, shiitake mushrooms, kombu and katsuobushi. We recommend ordering this dish to share as it’s generously portioned. The chicken is so tender to the bite with a smoky note, and don’t be shy dipping your pieces into the broth to soak up as much flavour as possible.
Torched Bone Marrow & Kimchi ‘chahan’ Fried Rice
The last of the savoury dishes is by no means the least. Torched bone marrow and kimchi ‘chahan’ fried rice ($18) may sound like an unusual combination but what a flavour bomb! The bone marrow is torched until liquefied, mixed with kimchi and presented on the bone with the rice. You simply slide it off the bone and mix it with the rice and get ready for a combination of smoke and heat that gently linger long on the palate.
Chocolate Fondant with Caramelised Miso
If you still have room for dessert, our pick is the Chocolate fondant with caramelised miso, chocolate crackle, kinako and coconut ice cream ($16). It’s light in texture but satisfies the chocoholics.
If you’ve over-ordered, or find you’re getting a little full, you can take what’s leftover with you, and we can vouch that it is still tasty the next day.
Kid Kyoto is located along Bridge Street next to Christopher Hanna and is accessed via Bridge Lane. You can visit their website here.
Kid Kyoto
17-19 Bridge Street (enter via Bridge Lane)
Sydney CBD 2000
Except where indicated, Photography © by Gourmantic – Copyright: All rights reserved.
