Aka Siro

106 Cambridge St
Collingwood, VIC 3066

Been missing me? I know it’s been a while, but it’s Chris here once again to help out with a guest post while Ming does a bunch of studying.

Alright, Take 2. As you may recall from the post on Wabi Sabi Salon, when Ming and I first made our way to Aka Siro, we were so disappointed to find that they were still closed for the holidays! So, once we were finally well and truly out of the holiday season, we made a return trip to Aka Siro a priority.

Having shown up on a Thursday night, we were right on time for Aka Siro’s Thursday Tapas Night, during which we were presented with a slimmed-down, tapas-only menu. Though this menu may total only 10 items (excluding dessert), there was no shortage of tempting dishes to pick from, with a fair amount of variety to sate your Japanese cravings.

Our meal began with their plate of Mini Sashimi ($12); a pairing of kingfish and salmon, along with a lone oyster. As you would hope for from any good Japanese restaurant, the kingfish had a nice clean taste complemented by the good soy they had on hand, while the thick slices of salmon were as plump and creamy as they looked. Not being a fan of the oyster myself, I let Ming partake of it on her own, but she seemed to enjoy its mildly sweet taste.

Next up was the Saba Miso ($9) – a serve of mackerel with a miso and sake sauce. I quite enjoyed the delicate flavour of the fish with its light sauce, but unfortunately all the little bones hadn’t been removed, making it fairly tedious to eat. That may not bother some, but personally I find it a lot more enjoyable to have my fish fully de-boned.

Falling back on a Japanese favourite of ours, we also ordered the Agedashi Tofu ($12). A smattering of mushrooms accompanied the delectably tender tofu in its light potato flower batter, while the sauce had a light citrus flavour layered in with the soy to give it a welcome twist.

The Kurosu ($9) was a serve of deliciously tender pork belly, braised in a clear sauce and accompanied by a selection of hearty veggies. The lotus root especially was a satisfying accompaniment to the soft meat, all given a warm comforting taste by the flavoursome broth.

Being a little peckish still after finishing our other dishes, we decided to order the Yasei Mai Salad ($9). This was a light and refreshing way to cap off our meal, the honey mustard dressing granting everything a sweet tang complemented by the crunchy walnuts and creamy tofu.

If there’s one common thread running through our meal at Aka Siro, it would have to be the light and delicate nature of each dish. Though each had its own distinct flavour, none were especially overpowering, and we left contentedly full without the guilt of overeating. Worth making the trip back for? Definitely.

Rating: 13.5/20
This rating reflects my (Chris’) personal experience at the time of visit.