Three To Book: One-Off Japanese Menus at Dine Out

Dine Out, Broadsheet’s annual food festival celebrating Sydney’s top culinary talent, returns this month. In partnership with Mastercard and Doordash, we’re staging 50 new events across the city from July 27 to August 2. All the major cuisines are represented in the program, including Japanese. Here are three big ones to book now, before they sell out.

Bar Yuki at The Bat & Ball Hotel, Redfern

In 2025 The Bat & Ball Hotel put on one of Dine Out’s most pumping events, featuring a one-off menu of Tabasco-spiked dishes. This year it’s back in collaboration with Milton destination eatery Bar Yuki, which takes its aesthetic cues from Tokyo’s vinyl record bars, and serves konbini-inspired plates alongside killer wines and cocktails. For one night it’s popping up in Redfern for Pub Yuki, another one-off menu starring prawn sandos, barbeque pork skewers, chicken parmies with Japanese curry gravy and more. On drinks, grab yuzu Margaritas and other Japanese-accented cocktails. Bookings recommended. 6pm–midnight, July 30.

Oscar Solomon at Firepop, Enmore

As development chef at the Apollo Group, Oscar Solomon knows a thing or two about cooking over charcoal. And that’s exactly why he’s been tapped to run the kitchen for a night at Enmore’s Firepop, famous for grilling skewers over open flames. His Japanese-led $125 set menu is built around six main kushiyaki (leek, quail egg, beef, chicken oyster, chicken meatball, tuna) plus some genuinely interesting snacks (jamon kombu beurre sando, anyone?) and a lovely-sounding dessert of vanilla mochi with lemon curd and kinako (roasted soybean flour). Paired drinks are available at extra cost. Bookings are essential. July 29, 5.30pm–10pm.

40 Res x Ibushi at Ibushi, CBD

With six distinct venues, Prefecture 48 channels the cultural and creative breadth of Japan’s 47 prefectures – forming an unofficial 48th right here in Sydney. Ibushi, on the ground floor, captures the spirit of Tokyo with theatre and char from the robata grill. Ibushi chef Chris Kim first worked with Josh Raine of Surry Hills wine bar 40 Res’s at Brisbane’s acclaimed Urbane, then again at the influential Tetsuya’s in Sydney. For Dine Out they’re joining forces again for two nights, for an eight-course menu featuring signature dishes from both venues, plus a new collaborative creation. Blending Ibushi’s Japanese robata approach with 40 Res’s produce-led cooking, the menu celebrates seasonal ingredients, refined technique, and the shared culinary history of two old friends. Bookings essential. 5.30pm–9.30pm, July 29 & 30.