O Cha-Cha Review

Authentic Japanese Secrecy

This review could land your humble diner in trouble. While dining at the O Cha Cha Japanese restaurant, a lady dining at the table next to me noticed my note-taking and threatened to beat me up if I caused masses of people to converge on the restaurant. It became quickly obvious this was a secret restaurant lair and she wanted it to remain that way, dammit! Therefore, I find myself in a delicate position - this is a fantastic Japanese restaurant that deserves high accolades, but part of its appeal is its authenticity and quiet location.

To put it simply, O Cha Cha is Japanese dining at it's best and you really should give it a try...but not everyone at once. As I was driving there I thought the name suggested tackiness, but as I stepped inside the air-conditioned Japanese restaurant I was instantly proved wrong.

The only things in this restaurant that weren't Japanese were the cans of soft drink on the menu, the money used to pay for the meal, and me. The chefs were Japanese, the waitresses were Japanese, the music playing softly in the background was Japanese and the news on the television in the corner of the room was Japanese. I suspect the television may have even been made in Japan. Wow, that's authenticity for you. An extensive bookshelf housed a selection of Japanese novels and magazines. Even the menus were written in Japanese - a problem for an ignorant mono-linguistic speaker like myself. But after an exchange of hand gestures, an English translated menu was presented to me.

Revealed on the English menu were simple meals and very cheap prices. And I also learned that O Cha Cha offered free cold Barley tea to complement all meals, a nice touch. Even though this restaurant has an unmistakable Japanese atmosphere, the menu isn't filled with raw delicacies that will freak the palettes of western diners. Rather, it's an honest fare of rice, miso soup, various forms of teriyaki style meats and other dishes. I ordered the teriyaki chicken, traditionally accompanied by shredded cabbage. I'm unsure if chicken has ever been described this way before, but it melted in my mouth. Highly recommended.

I sat on the carpeted floor with a low wooden table hovering above my folded knees. I have obviously spent too much time at Australian versions of Japanese restaurants because my inflexible knee joints yearned for a chair. But I persisted nevertheless. I recommend attending a yoga class prior to eating at O Cha Cha, or use your squash, unlike me, and ask to eat at one of the tables.

O Cha Cha is tucked away in Palm Court on Lake Street. According to the violent woman at the table next to me the restaurant has been around for over 10 years, but I'd never heard of it before the day I ate there. I will be going back, to the dismay of those who think they have a good hold on the secret O Cha Cha. Too bad I say. I want more.

- Diner Diller

O Cha-Cha	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.
cuisines: Asian, Japanese, Vegetarian features: A la carte open: Closed on Sunday Closed on Thursday review: Authentic Japanese Secrecy (21/3/2003) contact: (07) 40517055 | Level 1, 34 Lake Street (Palm Court)
Mini Reviews
Muscles	7th Mar 2009
Going there tonight for second time. Great meal, great rates, GREAT place. Yooooou Bloooody Beauuuuty
Bee	4th Nov 2008
This is definitely Cairns' best kept secret. I have been living in Cairns for 6 years and only just discovered this gem of a restaurant!! Great prices, friendly staff, authentic Japanese that comes in complete meal sets with rice and miso and you even get to sit on the floor. Make sure you try Umeshu on the rocks - a delicious plum wine that washes everything down perfectly.
Fortune	31st Oct 2008
You just let Cairns best kept dining secret out of the bag. Now we will have to book ahead and even stand for hours in a que just to get into our favourite restaurant. The whole of our family and various friends that i blindfold and take up have been enjoying O Cha-Cha for the last 5 years or more. Can you please not tell anyone else!!!!
Rob	9th Jun 2008
I eat there 5 times a week... have been for the last 5 years... and keep going back - 5 STARS all round... Bloody Oishi Mate Robu San
Megan	9th Oct 2007
This is a fantastic restaurant that offers a peaceful and calm environment offering superb, quality food at a bargain price. The set menu's come with soup, tofu and your main course and cold greentea is provided at no extra cost. Located in palm court this restaurant is a must to visit, a great, comfortable restaurant at an affordable price.
Melissa	6th Sep 2005
This is a fantastic place that offers excellent value. We ordered the grilled fish sets and a kid's set and were more than satisfied with quality and quantity. Authentic Japanese flavours, fish perfectly done. Thanks for the review, wouldn't have ventured into Palm Court otherwise.
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