Shunsai

Shunsai is a real slice of Japan in Brisbane - a pocket-sized upmarket Japanese restaurant and bar found tucked away under the schmick East Brisbane apartment block The Wellington.

Consisting of a tiny 12-seat dining room and six-seat bar (where you can also dine), Shunsai, which looks to have been transported straight from of one of the eating precincts of Tokyo, features a minimalist pale timber interior adorned with vases of ikebana.

Kimono-clad Japanese waitresses greet diners, while the chef/owner can be found behind the bar where he is happy to converse with customers about the exquisite handcrafted food that is being served.

A cut above the vast majority of Brisbane Japanese restaurants and totally unique, Shunsai is the go-to for a divine degustation-style multi-course dinner (with vegetarian option), served on artisan Japanese crockery and which changes seasonally and according to fresh ingredient availability. Everything here is handmade inhouse, including the soy sauce and the fish is cured by the chef onsite for 12 hours.

Open for lunch Thursday to Saturday, diners can choose the Sushi Set, Sashimi Set, Chirashi Set, Shunsai Wagyu Bento or Kaiseki Bento - seasonal appetizer, pickled vegies, simmered vegies, sashimi, grilled fish and deep fried fish served with steamed rice and soup. There are only 10 Kaiseki Bentos available each day so reservations are recommended.    

On offer in the evening is the Sai Course menu (8 courses), starting with a daily entree which is served kaiseki-style (several dainty tasting dishes on the one tray) and might include basil salmon, konjai with chili, wagyu beef, oyster with tosa vinegar and conger eel tempura with eggplant.

This is followed by Soup (changes monthly) and assorted Sashimi (3 kinds), Grilled dish such as abalone steak, Simmered dish like Duck Meat Stew and Deep Fried Kushikatsu (skewers); followed by Assorted Sushi (3 kinds) and Dessert.

The Vegetarian menu consists of the same number of courses but with dishes such as rice noodle soup, Entrée such as eggplant with ginger soy, Yam Crepes, Simmered miso radish, and kushikatsu (skewers of deep-fried vegies) replacing the meat/seafood options. Lastly, dessert consists of deliciousness such as mango sorbet.

For the ultimate dining experience upgrade to the Shun Course which has 2 additional courses to the main menu: Wagyu steak (marble 9+) and simmered vegetables.

Children are welcome to dine with their parents on Saturdays and school holidays.  Meal options for children 12 yrs and under include the Kids Sushi Set (chicken karaage, 2 small sushi rolls and dessert)  and Kids Kakiage Udon & Inari Set (chicken karaage, udon, inari & dessert); and Curry Rice Set (chicken karaage, curry rice & dessert).

Shunsai is licensed with sake (including sparkling), which can be matched with courses, as well as shochu, plum wine, a small curated selection of Australian and New Zealand wines and Japanese beers on tap (Sapporo and Yebisu). 

Good to know - There is also a takeaway menu.

Need to know – Free on-street parking is available after 3pm in surrounding streets such as Jurgens St or diners can park underneath The Wellington for one hour for free.

The menu may have changed since our visit.

A full list of the best Japanese restaurants in Brisbane HERE

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