Punpun

Sibling-founders Lexy and Lachlan Allouche (St Kai) are reimagining the crustless, fluffy konbini sando – a Tokyo convenience store staple. Their cafe Punpun, named after a manga series, is an “inner city sandwich committee” bringing fresh energy and a tight little menu to the old Fu Manchu space.

While Japan’s konbini sandos are stone cold and wrapped in plastic, Punpun’s sesame fried chicken katsu number emits a plume of steam as you pull apart the hot, chonky halves. The pillowy shokupan (milk bread) from a Japanese supplier dials it up a notch.

Punpun’s egg sando is equally innovative. Where konbini-style sando eggs are scrambly and spun with kewpie, here they’re steamed. The effect is a silky egg mattress, blanketed in cheese and slicked with chive mayo.

The siblings take their coffee game seriously, enlisting Sydney micro roaster Diggy Doo’s to supply the beans. You’ll also find Tea Craft teas, tinned beers and – another konbini fave – Pocari Sweat.

The sliver of a space feels almost like a sushi counter. A timber bar runs its length and the opposing wall is punctuated by Japanese baseball jerseys.