Sugar Hit 2011: Azuma Kushiyaki

This is Azuma Kushiyaki’s third year participating in Crave Sydney International Food Festival’s Sugar Hits with its offering named ‘East meets West Dessert Tasting Plate’ as in years past. With no description other than that, it is one of several locations taking the mysterious angle with the dessert they are serving up. However if you’ve tried their Sugar Hits previously, then you will recognise the signature stacked bento presentation.

The ‘Anmitsu’ can be found in the bottom bento as a tumble of diced fruits, tapioca pearls, mashed azuki (red beans) and chewy Shiratama rice dumplings coated in kinako (roasted soy bean) powder. Alongside is the flavour-complementing nutty white sesame ice-cream.

The cloudy sample of sake in the top bento is easy to drink while the skewered cubes of ‘Sake Sponge Bites’ seem to have no discernible sake flavour at all. The green tea tiramisu is a hit with most of us, except I find it a little too creamy for my liking. The handmade chocolate is a whole lot of textural fun with its layers of dark and milk chocolate praline with caramel ganache, but it’s the hidden pop rocks which bring a child-like grin to our faces as they keep popping even after the last of the chocolate has been eaten.

We had dinner here prior to ordering their Sugar Hit, but please be aware that if you are going to Azuma Kushiyaki for their Sugar Hit alone that there is a minimum spend of $15 per person. There are only a couple of evenings remaining before Sugar Hits end for another year, so get moving!

Azuma Kushiyaki

Ground floor of Regent Place, 501 George St, Sydney NSW

Tel: (02) 9267 7775

happy eating!