FULL VEGAN JAPANESE CAFE?!

Count me in 👏🙋‍♀️... to basically live there 😂

When I discovered this place I couldn’t believe it was real because it’s truly the most perfect combination of all times: my most loved Japan food with, of course, a plant based diet 🌱

Yes, Izakaya Midori has everything that you can every think of, from NOT YOUR AVERAGE sushi (it’s called future of sushi even and then have pieces I had never seen anywhere else!) to the good old hot ramen and guess what? VEGAN karaage don and katsu meals! And let’s not forget the vegan gyozas for those gyozaholics 🙋‍♀️😂👌

Chef Fumiyoshi Iwasaki is an artist and wanted to take the Japanese cuisine back to its roots and Buddhist ancestors, with some innovation and modern techniques to plant-based alternatives. And he absolutely NAILED IT!

I won’t tell you what he changes to make it plant based but you would be shocked! Shocked of how good it tastes and how you would have never thought of it while eating it 🤯 these guys are an 11/10 👌

The place is located basically in Burleigh Heads and it is very easy to assess. You have free parking just next to it and it’s impossible to miss it.

The hall to the entrance in amongst other venues but once you see their entrance stands out as it comes with those hanging curtains from Japan that are called “Noren” in Japanese. Usually the Kanji, 暖簾, written on the curtain means “warm curtain” and people in Japan used it to shade the sun in summer, and to keep their place warm in winter!

Once you come inside, you find the most peaceful and earth friendly place, where you can feel at peace and how genuine and honest the owners are even. There are little plants everywhere and beautiful decoration lights. The wooden tables are also built in from different colours and I love who it shows diversity and acceptance 🙏

The owners are absolutely kings in hospitality and they will make you feel at home and loved from the start. We all know that Asian people are known to be more kind than the ‘average’ person. But it’s not just that - it is more than genuine kindness towards guests - it's also a sharp eye for detail, awareness for individual needs and that effort always to go the extra mile and please you.

They were launching the new menu and of course ALL VEGAN and MUST visit!
Here’s what I tired:

Omakase Delux - it is their one and only future of sushi platter, new edition! I had seen how beautiful they were from the previous menu and if I were to think that they couldn’t beat that, oh maaaaan! They absolutely took it to another level again! This new version comes with progressive rolls and temaki:
- a big maki roll with a purple heart and two smaller pieces of a vegan version of a California roll
- 3 different kinds of Nigiri sushi (6 pieces!) - one that resembles the salmon but it is actually konjac! And is SO GOOD 👏 another one that is made with cucumber and absolutely fresh and delicious 👏 and another one with smoked shiitake mushroom 🍄 LOVE LOVE LOVE! My favourite of these was definitely the konjac but all of them were incredibly presented and great in taste
- Chiki Avo Nigiri - absolutely terrific! 👏 this was a combo of rice, avocado, what seems to be fried chicken but really isn’t and is SO MUCH BETTER! Seriously, even if you’re not a fried food lover (which I’m personally not), you’ll absolutely love this! and some Japanese toppings.
- Salmon Salad Ship - this was probably one of the BEST ones from the platter. It literally taste like carb! But of course it isn’t! Seriously, the chef is an absolute genius 👏👏👏 I’m sure you’ll love this one too!
- 4 Temaki Veef Sushi - quite an interesting one and although not my personal favourite, I have to say that the taste was as incredible as all other ones! 👏 the presentation os taken to another level because the rice here is purple! Yes, actually purple! 👏 like they saymade with l♡ve!

Japanese Curry Rice with Katsu - we were a bit indecisive to try their curry but so happy we did because it was INCREDIBLE! And the best part in my opinion was the sushi rice that was cooked to perfection and guess what? The katsu! Seriously, this homemade Japanese curry served with potato chips and pickles, is of great serving and you won’t be hungry after such a filling dish like this at all by itself! And for a little extra you can add a topping that o definitely recommend! They have the options of katsu, karaage or vegges and I don’t think you can go wrong with any of them at all. In fact I don’t think you can go wrong by picking any of the items from this place’s menu and all the quality in serving sizes are outstanding! They choose everything with such perfection and serve things with such attention to detail that it’s almost impossible not to fall in love with it ❤️ anyway I could have three or four falls of this rice and the Katsu that we had as it is DEFINITELY even better than fried chicken! All the taste minus the oiliness and greasiness that some places have and I cannot recommend enough for you to try this meal if you visit!

Katsu Don - this was a rice bowl of crumbled chicken-ish katsu that came in a rounded bowl steaming! Absolutely love the plates, bowls and utensils that they use! And not just that - the whole bowl was once again fantastic! Superb! Originally this meal (in a non vegan version!) is a crumbed pork & egg rice bow and there are different versions of it. Actually even this place itself creates different versions and they have a Terichiki Don, a Karaage Don and this Katsu Don! I think that having absolutely been hooked initially by that panko-breaded cutlet in the curry, I also wanted that version in the Don 😂 and I found that the non panko version was softer (as it should be of course) and I wanted something crispy. So, the curry this time will win over the Don 😂 But, hole on, I’m pretty sure that next time if I have a Don with the same topping as the curry, that will win 😂 So I think that when it comes to choosing which one you prefer to have it’ll come down to your personal preferences and what you enjoy more in terms of consistency. Katsu is also supposed to be sliced breast that is breaded and generally use a sauce made from apple pure, while karaage is usually thigh that is marinated before frying and paired with more of a mayo sauce. The Katsu here was gently folded in what seemed to be an egg (but obviously isn’t as this is 100% vegan 🙏), some original sauce and the rice on the bowl was impressive again. Would have it again or another version for sure!

XX Bucket! - this was AMAZING. Can’t recommend it enough, really! And the best part is that it can say with certainty that this was better than better than any ‘fried’ spread that I have ever had! This is supposed to be a deep fried bucket with a combination of single items that also can be found individually on the menu! There are vege spring rolls, nuggets (seriously BETTER than normal meaty nuggets!), calamaring (which are supposed to be calamari rings 🎉), edamame chips and sweet potato fries. Everything in this bucket was excellent in terms of presentation and in terms of taste and like I’ve just said nothing was oily or greasy and it doesn’t cause any gastrointestinal upset like some more fried foods can cause to certain people!

Gyozaholic - I cannot recommend this meal enough to because not only the presentation is fantastic and they actually have all the gyozas together (which is the way that they are cooked as I assume) and not individually like most places would , but the filling is very very interesting and characteristic! 👏 so basically these pan-fried vegetable gyozas come with original Pari-Pari crispy wings and they are served along with some sauce that I also recommend trying. the filling is quite unique too and they get an applause for that as most gyozas is that you can find out there usually feeling inside but they are a bit more empty and more loose in terms of ingredients. But there wow! Incredible! 👏

Crispy Chickenish Roll - I also tried their most recent menu item that is supposed to feature a crispy chicken roll with dill-mayo sauce! I have to say that I don’t know in this case what they use for the chicken itself but I’m assuming it’s a vegetable type of protein, but omg, the resemblance of the real deal is impressive! If you will walk into this place a bit skeptical about how your vegan sushi experience will be, trust me, you’re going to want to never leave again 🤩 this is every vegan and plant based foodie dream and I cannot believe that this ‘wasn’t’ a fried chicken roll! Very similar to a tempura roll I would say but harder in consistency and the dressing was definitely something very interesting! I think I wouldn’t have enjoyed some Japanese original Mayo here slightly more but well... I did lick the plate soooo I guess I loved it too 😂

Miso soup - the one and only miso soup is a must in any Japanese’s place and even here these guys stand out and make it different because of they ingredients they include in the miso! The taste in wholesome and filling and the whole combo is just so warming and welcoming that you’ll want more and more ❤️

White green tea with jasmine scent - we also tried one of their special teas that came with a very cute craft! It was a tea of natural white green tea leaves with jasmine scent and the taste was floral and fresh with a hint of green tea! I had actually never tried white green tea but apparently white tea is one of the least processed of teas and because of that it retains a high amount of antioxidants! It’s had quite a delicate flavor, slightly sweet to taste with a floral touch and was quite enjoyable!

Matcha dessert - we also tried their unique a special muffins! Matcha muffins! And wow! 👏👏👏 absolutely in love how fluffy and moist they were, perfectly naturally sweet and with some cashews in the mix for a social nutty secret touch! CANNOT RECOMMEND IT ENOUGH! 👏😍


Incredible menu and unique sushi that I have never seen anywhere else in Australia! The quality is superb and the service is unreal 🙏
Made by real Japanese sushi artisans who love their jobs and it definitely shows in the food they make for you ❤️ these are one of the nicest people I’ve ever met, impeccable service and attention towards costumers and the food surpasses anything I’ve tried. Unforgettable! Will definitely go back many many times and this is a must if you are visiting the Gold Coast, friends!

Just amazing. The range of food and creativity and presentation is impressive. It’s difficult to eat at some Japanese restaurants as a vegetarian but the modern-traditional style of food so easily made vegan without losing anything and it’s so delicious at Izakaya Midori you definitely don’t miss a thing.