On J’s birthday we both took a day off and went to the other side of the city to the have a relaxing day by the beach. For lunch we wanted some Japanese, so we found the closest Japanese Restaurant we can find, Sushi Dining Den in Vaucluse. Sushi Dining Den is a small shop along the New South Head Road, with a shop front that looked quite humble, yet it scored 4 stars on the review page. We didn't expect too much, but we were pleasantly surprised.
上星期是J的生日，我们两个都请了假，去了悉尼东边的海滩玩。午饭时我们想吃日本菜, 果断地选了附近唯一一家日本菜，在Vaucluse的Sushi Dining Den。位于Vaucluse的主街New South Head Road上, Sushi Dining Den 是一家挺小的店。虽然在谷歌上的4.2星的评价，我们看着朴实无华的门面，我们也不期待着什么，差不多吃饱就行了。然而，这家餐厅的水凖还真不错，给了我们一点小惊喜。
We ordered two items on the menu. A main size sashimi, and Teriyaki Fish lunch set, which comes with some extra sashimi and a Miso soup. We found out from the waiter that the meal doesn't actually come with rice, which is a bit strange for a lunch set, so we swapped the Miso soup to a rice instead, because let's face it, they probably made the Miso soup with the instant stuff that you could easily get at an Asian supermarket. We also ordered a grapefruit honey drink. It turns out that the grapefruit honey drink is simply made from citrus honey, the type you can find at a Korean Shop. They didn't put too much into the drink either, so it was really really light. But it was a hot day, and for $2.50, it wasn't too bad for a drink that has slightly more flavour than water.
我们点了一个生鱼片刺身，一个照烧鱼套餐，和两杯柚子饮料。照烧鱼套餐里除了有一份前菜生鱼片和主菜照烧鱼外，还包一碗味噌汤而不包米饭（其实挺奇怪的）。比较饿的我确定把汤换成米饭，反正味噌汤自己在家也可以冲。先上来的是柚子饮料。原来柚子饮料就是柚子茶，就是在韩国超市可以买一大瓶回家兑水喝的那种。他们貌似只放了一点点，饮料挺淡的。不过天气这么热，而且一杯才两块多，也算还行吧。
The food though was very nice. The sashimi was very fresh and tasty. Salmon, Kingfish, tuna and scallops, all very well made, cut to the right thickness, and has that sweetness that is unique to freshly prepared fish. The firmness of the kingfish was especially delicious, the salmon was nice and fatty, and the scallop was J’s favourite.
还是这里的食物比较出彩。刺身非常的新鲜。有鲑鱼，鲹鱼，金枪鱼和扇贝，每样都恰到好处。厚薄适中，鲜甜美味。其中的鲹鱼肉质爽脆，是我的最爱。鲑鱼也不错，肉质非常的肥美。而J最喜欢是滑溜清甜的扇贝。
The surprise though was the Teriyaki fish. We were expecting what you would typically get in a Japanese restaurant in the suburbs - non authentic Teriyaki sauce with overcooked fish and portion size that is way too small. But it was none of that. I couldn't really comment on the authenticity of the dish but the fish was definitely done right. First deep fried in batter, the fish was tender, juicy, and cooked just right giving it a silky smooth texture. The batter wasn't too thick and taste delicious after cooking in the Teriyaki sauce. It also came with crunchy Japanese Salad, and the bowl of rice is huge, twice the size you would expect from a set meal like this.
最让人惊喜的竟然是照烧鱼。我们本来已经有心理准备，因为通常在澳洲这种开在郊区的小日本店，照烧鱼都做得比较偏甜，比较干，有点煮过头的感觉，而且分量少。然而这个照烧鱼套餐颠覆了我们的想像。大块的鱼柳，先炸后烧，火候恰到好处。鱼肉非常的滑，像火锅鱼片的那种刚断生的滑溜。炸鱼外层的面糊不太厚，在那咸甜适中的照烧汁中烹煮过后变得美味可口。佐以爽脆的日本沙拉和比想像中要多一倍的一大碗米饭，这套餐可算是物有所值。
We had a very pleasant meal, feeling satisfied and happy. It was a nice day to dine Al fresco, and the beautiful food and cold drink under the blue sky was such an relaxing experience. It may not be the best Japanese restaurant around, but if you are in the area and needed a quick Japanese fix, this would be the place to go.
这是一餐让人非常快乐而满足的午饭。在这么睛朗的下午坐在餐厅的室外桌椅上，享受着冷饮和美食，是多么的惬意啊！虽然Sushi Dining Den 算不上是高大上的日式料理，但是如果你在附近而想吃日本菜，这餐厅还是值得一去的。
Sushi Dining Den
97 New South Head Rd
Vaucluse NSW 2030