Osaka, Ashgrove


Tucked in the corner of the busy Ashgrove West shopping centre on Waterworks Road, Oska is a casual Japanese Dining Bar offering dine in and takeaway.

The decor is clean and fresh with plenty of pine which provides the perfect backdrop to the pretty assortment Japanese serving dishes used.

This is a family business with Chris Chong in the kitchen and his wife, Lina Kim handling front of house.

Chris and Lina

The menu starts with gyoza and edamane, and includes a good selection of California rolls, tempura, teriyaki, bento boxes, udon noodles and more.

We started with some pork dumplings which were crisp although I struggled to find much pork flavour. The Japanese chicken curry was overflowing with mild curry flavour, just the way I like it, and chunks of chicken.  K2 enjoyed the moist chicken teriyaki which came surrounded by sliced vegetables and with a rice accompaniment.  Both were filling and good value.

Pork dumplings
Edamane

Japanese chicken curry

Other simple touches, such as the miso soup and small salad on arrival and the sliced orange at the end, lift a quick meal into an occasion.  No charge, just all part of the service at Osaka. Nice!

Complimentry miso soup and salad

Complimentry orange 'dessert' cleverly cut into four portions.

There's plenty of seating available, both inside the restaurant and under covered areas outside.

I can see this restaurant taking off in an area which is devoted to the type of quick, well-priced Asian meals that the Rosalie precinct offers so well (I'm thinking Sings and Mint for starters). Also fans of well-loved Tsuru in Ashgrove might like to cut their queue time and try out Osaka's offerings.

For me Oska ticks many boxes for a suburban eatery - good, clean Japanese flavours; pleasant decor; attentive staff; well priced and plenty of parking and close to home.

Bottom line: I'll be back
Best tip: Browse the bottle shop next door for bargains.

Osaka
486 Waterworks Road, Ashgrove. ph 0433 022 991