Diners revel in Asian infusion as international students drive growth in new restaurants
THEY’RE funky, flavoursome and flourishing in Hobart.
Food and Wine
Don't miss out on the headlines from Food and Wine. Followed categories will be added to My News.
THEY’RE funky, flavoursome and flourishing in Hobart.
The capital is seeing a boom in small, authentic Asian eateries that is being credited to the growing numbers of international students and tourists.
Japanese, in particular, has surged in popularity with new restaurants as well as sushi, bento and ramen bars.
“Even in the last 18 months to two years, we have a greater variety of the various types of Japanese cuisine in Hobart,” Mercury food and wine writer Graeme Phillips said.
“And it’s good.”
Eating at the sushi train opened by Sush on the waterfront four months ago can mean a 40-minute wait on busy evenings.
Launceston-based franchise Bento arrived at two locations in the South a month ago and Koma Ramen opened its doors in Bathurst St six months ago.
They come on top of new restaurants like Rin, serving ramen-style noodle soups, North Hobart’s Miyabi and Three Japanese.
Another North Hobart favourite, Midori Japanese Kitchen, has expanded with a second, sushi-based eatery in the Elizabeth St bus mall.
“The growth in the numbers of Asian students has a lot to do with it,” Mr Phillips said.
“You have some Asian students who have finished their studies and have opened restaurants.”
Sush manager Scott Allen said his venue was popular with Chinese tourists and students.
“It’s a trend – it happened on the mainland some time ago with Japanese and Asian food in general,” he said.
“In Tassie especially, people are getting more clued on to good fit-outs and they’re a lot more aware of quality.”
Other Asian cuisines are also getting in on the act, with recent additions including Vietnamese Pho at Salamanca.
“The demand is there, the demand is growing,” Mr Phillips said.
“Others are looking for greater variety, are much more adventurous and knowledgeable about Asian cuisine then we were just a few years ago.”
New spin on old spice a welcome addition to Hobart dining scene
Our evening at this relatively new eatery was delightful, and it’s wonderful to see one of the world’s great cuisines given a more sophisticated treatment and presentation, writes Alix Davis
NW restaurant offers delicious dishes with a breathtaking view
Beachside dining is often a burger type of arrangement, so to have access to food this good, with a killer location, is a rare find, writes Alix Davis.