 |
|
Japanese
Once upon a time, eating Japanese food was a scary prospect for Cairns diners. The food looked weird, had unusual ingredients, and hard-to-pronounce names. But over time, Japanese food has infiltrated our dining circles and it has become one of the most popular choices when choosing a restaurant.
Japanese food is hard to beat for its health benefits. It is low in cholesterol, far, and calories, and is high in fibre. The emphasis on noodles, fresh seafood, and vegetables makes Japanese food light and healthy.
Here is a short list of common Japanese dishes:
Sushi - Small pieces of raw seafood typically prawn, tuna, squid, sardine or salmon placed on top of a ball of rice. Wasabi, an extremely hot horseradish sauce, is usually added.
Sashimi - Raw seafood such as salmon, tuna, shrimps, scallops and octopus eaten with soy sauce and wasabi.
Shabu-Shabu - Thin slices of beef, chicken, prawns and squid are simmered with bean curd, vermicelli and vegetables. The slices are dipped in sesame or soy sauce.
Ramen Noodles - Chinese-type noodles cooked in a meat broth with thinly sliced meat, spinach and leeks.
Tempura - Battered vegetables and prawns fried in vegetable oil. The batter is made of eggs, water and wheat flour. Tempura is eaten hot and is dipped in specially prepared soy sauce and grated radish.
Sake - Fermented liquor made from rice. This is a highly alcoholic drink and you need to be careful not to drink too much or you may rapidly find yourself unconscious.
 Cherry Blossom Japanese Restaurant (More Info) |
Cairns CBD |
One of Cairns' oldest Japanese restaurants, being established in 1987, Cherry Blossom Japanese Restaurant features a sushi bar, table cooking, teppanyaki and Japanese noodles. An authentic Japanese dining experience utilising fresh Great Barrier Reef seafood with the refined preparation styles of Japanese cooking. Exciting Australian meats such as Kangaroo, Emu and Crocodile are also available. Open for lunch on Wed, Thu & Fri, and dinner every night except Sun.
|
| (07) 40521050 | Cnr Spence & Lake Sts (Upstairs)
|
| Sushi Express Cairns (More Info) |
Cairns CBD |
Sushi Express chugged into town long before its identical twin, Sushi Train arrived. It serves delightful little Japanese treats on a genuine miniture train upstairs at Orchid Plaza.
|
| (07) 40414388 | Shop 28 Abbott St, Orchid Plaza
|
| Kamome Japanese Restaurant (More Info) |
Cairns CBD |
A quality Japanese restaurant upstairs at The Conservatory in the Cairns CBD. With daily lunch specials this restaurant is popular with locals and visiting Japanese alike. Friendly wait staff and a good selection of Japanese beverages including Asahi, Sapporo, Umeshu and Sake. A good location for a business lunch.
|
| (07) 40514318 | Abbott St, The Conservatory
|
| Noodle Box (More Info) |
Cairns CBD |
New and exciting food option at Cairns Central, the menu consists of 9 Stir Fry's encompassing a wide variety of Asian flavours, 5 soups ranging from the most traditional of Hot and Sour to Rich and Creamy Laksas and 2 amazing rice dishes that explode with mystical flavours from the East.
|
| (07) 4041 1883 | Cairns Central Shopping Centre
|
| O Cha-Cha (More Info) |
Cairns CBD |
The ultimate in authentic Japanese food. It helps to be fluent in Japanese language and customs when eating here because there is no hint of western influence. If you're looking for a special and unique place for a Japanese, try O Cha Cha. 1 Review.
|
| (07) 40517055 | Level 1, 34 Lake St (Palm Ct)
|
| Sushi Train (More Info) |
Cairns CBD |
Rush in for a quick hit of Japanese food plucked from a moving conveyer belt, or relax and sit green tea while perusing the delicacies passing under your nose. Sushi Train is a treat for kids and adults alike. 2 Reviews.
|
| (07) 40315444 | Shop 144 Cairns Central
|
| Sushi Zipang (More Info) |
Cairns CBD |
Sushi Zipang is a culmination of all that's good about dining in a Japanese restaurant - a funky conveyer belt with exquisite selections, coupled with an a la carte menu featuring a wide array of Japanese dishes and combos. Prices at Sushi Zipang are very reasonable, and the restaurant is licensed - I recommend the Sake! 1 Review.
|
| (07) 40513328 | 39 Shields St.
|
| Tamarind Restaurant (More Info) |
Cairns Esplanade |
An intimate and exclusive restaurant, it is advised you book ahead to experience Tamarind due to its popularity. And well founded too, Tamarind restaurant is an exquisite dining experience incorporating the exciting tastes and textures of Asian cuisine in an innovative menu incorporating Western culture. The signature restaurant of the Sofitel Reef Casino, this a dining 'must do' while in Cairns.
|
| (07) 4030 8888 | 35-41 Wharf St (Sofitel Reef Casino)
|
| The Banana Leaf (More Info) |
Cairns CBD |
Modern Asian cuisine in a stunning location just across from the Esplanade lagoon. Very reasonable prices with a large variety of dishes including curry, noodles, soups, rice and stir fry. Look out for their $9.90 lunch specials.
|
| (07) 4041 6118 | The Esplanade
|
| Tides BLD + Bar (More Info) |
Cairns Esplanade |
With million dollar views across the Cairns harbour, Tides Restaurant is superbly positioned for a special meal. Tides utilises their buffet in sohpistocated way for breakfast with extensive hot and cold dishes available as well as an egg chef. Lunch features an authentic curry bar with a range of interesting Indian delights. Dinner is contemporary Australiasian a la carte cuisine. Shangri-La formerly had Sirocco Restaurant in a similar location.
|
| (07) 40311411 | PierPoint Rd (Shangri-La)
|
| Yama Japanese Restaurant (More Info) |
Cairns CBD |
When a Cairns Japanese restaurant takes orders for business lunches on the other side of Australia, and delivers them by express courier, it's a pretty good indication that this is the pinnacle of dining. Yama Japanese Restaurant, located on the northern side of the Cairns International Hotel, is an exquisit experience that leaves nothing wanting. Very popular with Japanese food lovers, including Japanese people, for authenticity and freshness.
|
| (07) 40521009 | Spence St (Cnr Grafton St)
|
|
|
