Sleek new French and Japanese-style bistro the latest addition to Armadale’s booming food scene
Say hello to Bansho, an exciting new bistro concept that marries Japanese and French gastronomy and design in new and interesting ways.
Distilling the pulls of French and Japanese gastronomy into an approachable bistro concept, Bansho (a Japanese-Buddhist expression that means “all-encompassing”) is a sleek new addition to Armadale’s dining scene.
Owners Larry Xie and Mira Wu have created an experience where duality permeates every detail, from the cuisine to the beverage program and interior design. “Our focus is working two cultures together harmoniously,” Xie says.
They’ve enlisted chefs Tomotaka Ishizuka (ex-Ishizuka, Kisume, Koko) and Yoonho Chang (ex-Lume and Copenhagen’s revered Geranium), who have devised a seasonal menu that marries Japanese styles with French cooking methods.
Fixtures include a crab chawanmushi paired with a celeriac vichyssoise sauce, sea perch served with bonito beurre blanc, and koji-marinated duck breast with smoked eggplant and black garlic puree. An additional sushi menu contrasts more traditional sashimi with serious vegan options such as red capsicum nigiri and beach banana (karkalla) with kombu and tomato jelly.
Ensuring a cohesive fusion involved endless experimentation with acid levels and balance. This research has spilled over into Bansho’s cocktail list, which includes Midori and Tokyo sours, part of a beverage program that spans Victorian, French and Japanese wines and spirits.
With joint backgrounds in hospitality, architecture and art curation, Xie and Wu have opted for a warm art deco fitout faithful to Japanese principles of ease and flow. The result is an interior rich with tan leather, brass railing and natural stone, along with booth and counter seating.
The duo chose Armadale’s High Street for Bansho’s location, an area Xie believes has immense potential, with neighbours such as hatted restaurant and butcher Victor Churchill, and wine bars Albert’s and By The Glass.
And while Xie’s goal is to continuously refine their concept each season, “we’re always going to be an informal bistro with an affordable wine list”, he says. “We hope to give the idea of treasure hunting.”
Open Tue-Sat 5.30pm-11pm
Shop 1, 960 High Street, Armadale, banshodining.com
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