Umakamon

Quaint little restaurant. Not more than 30 seats. It was fully booked so we got ourselves on the waitlist. We took the tables outside. Value to price wasn't as good as the other Japanese restaurants. But what they lack in pricing, they made it up with quality of food. Except the rice was really quite mushy and tasteless. So that one killed the experience quite a bit. We love sushi rice. So we've eaten enough good sushi in Tokyo and Singapore to tell apart good and bad sushi rice. Chirashi bowl had great tasting fish, ikura, scallops and uni! Wagyu nigiri had quite a bit of chewy tendons. Udon soup was quite tasty. Noodles were chewy and broth was flavourful. Hot Sake was good value.

Food is very authentic and delicious! Just like what we would expect from a local izakaya in Japan. The watering staff is very friendly.

Top notch little izakaya in Surfers Paradise that my sis & BIL recommended, and one that's going on my favourites list for future Gold Coast trips. Loved the pork eye fillet katsu set ($23.80) which comes with deep fried crumbed pork, rice, mini salad, and miso soup. This version is $1 more than the tonkatsu set which comes with their signature pork cutlet, but I’m glad I went with the eye fillet cos it was so juicy and tender and wow from the first to the last bite. Wifey had a chirashi mixed sashimi rice bowl ($20) and we also got some gobo (burdock root) chips ($7.80) - wouldn’t say I loved it but no regrets trying. Others on the table got some agedashi tofu ($8.80) to share and I really liked this too - lovely contrast between the fried exterior and the soft interior, and just a well-weighted flavour to the sauce. Other dishes the rest of our group ordered were all well received. The wait staff were busy but attentive and helpful: * mixing the contents of a stone pot dish another friend ordered (not pictured) and giving some tips on the best way to enjoy * on the ball with replacement chopsticks when I knocked mine to the floor - it was in front of me before I could think about flagging someone down to ask for a new one! Do yourself a favour and check it out - pre-bookings recommended cos they’re pretty popular (and for good reason).

Great Japanese izakaya food. Friendly and fast service to boot. Looks like it's run front and back of house with full Japanese staff, adding to the authentic experience, especially in this day and age when it's a hassle to travel overseas. The sashimi was fresh, fried oysters spot on, and the wagyu yukke was also great. Kids loved the pork katsu as well. A lot of the classic izakaya menu items are covered and done well, but also the non-traditional udon done in a carbonara style was also fantastic. the Suntory premium malt to wash it all down completes the experience. We walked in on opening and got a seat, but it looks like (and understandably) quite a popular place, so if you plan on going booking would be a good idea. Ordering can be done through your phone accessed via a QR code on the table, but also orders are taken by the friendly staff. Highly recommended, will be returning. Overall a great experience!