Having made its name on Johnston Street in Abbotsford, premier Japanese soul food cafe, Kappaya, now resides within the serene Kitchen Annex space at the Abbotsford Convent.

The food that arrives from Toshimitsu Kaji’s colonial-feel kitchen is incredibly light, crisp and saturated with texture. There are lovely bento box combinations with onigiri that are filled with combinations such as grilled salmon, mince meat with eggplant, and grilled tofu with dengaku miso combined sweet and spicy veggie productions. A melange of Japanese beers from the Sapporo brewery and even Kross Chilean ales go well with crispy veggie fries, steamed chicken, simmered greens and pickled daikon.

Cleanse the palate with Robinvale bio-dynamic organic ginger grape juice drink and a revitalising Japanese green tea while nibbling on organic tofu quiche and some steamed prawn pate. Finish this all off with a dessert option of black sugar or green tea dumpling cake and a coffee. Kappaya really is one of those bewitching places that are more than good for the soul.