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Raku

Premier CBD destination with no shortage of flair.

Truffle mousse with truffle ice cream.
1 / 7Truffle mousse with truffle ice cream. Supplied
Nigiri.
2 / 7Nigiri. Martin Ollman
Tajima wagyu striploin with rhubarb salt.
3 / 7Tajima wagyu striploin with rhubarb salt. Supplied
Chargilled asparagus with yuzu kosho butter.
4 / 7Chargilled asparagus with yuzu kosho butter.Zachary Griffith
The dining room.
5 / 7The dining room. Supplied
The signature sashimi platter.
6 / 7The signature sashimi platter. Supplied
Toasted sesame ice-cream with sticky miso caramel.
7 / 7Toasted sesame ice-cream with sticky miso caramel.Supplied

Good Food hat15.5/20

Japanese$$$

Raku counts among its dedicated supporters the odd celebrity chef and influencer, and there’s plenty of clickbait across the cross-cultural menu: wagyu tartare is dressed with sansho pepper and caramelised miso butter, while the Dragon (which takes top billing in the maki roll selection), stars seared wagyu atop a roll with prawn tempura, avocado and kimchi.

Desserts, like a Japanese whisky chocolate fondant that ramps up the richness with miso caramel, track the fusion narrative, but Raku also satisfies traditionalists: bar-side seating offers a front-row view of chefs preparing fresh sashimi plates, say, or charring wagyu and miso-coated broccolini on the robata grill.

Wine offerings – which range from local stars like Mada gewurztraminer through to premium Alsatian riesling – complement the breadth of the menu, while good pacing and discreet, polite floor staff round out one of Canberra’s best dining experiences.

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Original URL: https://www.smh.com.au/link/follow-20170101-p5f2tu