Osaka Trading Co

AUTUMN HIDEAWAYS

AT OSAKA TRADING CO.

Tucked into the centre of Tramsheds, Sydney’s new hospitality hub - home to 12 eclectic restaurants and bars - is Osaka Trading Co.; a hole-in-the-wall-style eatery, capturing the cosy feel and ambience of a classic Japanese izakaya.

PHOTOGRAPHY RYAN STUART

Osaka’s chilled hang-out vibe has been welcoming workers and locals at lunchtime and families and small groups by evening since it opened.

Exposed brick, intimate dining areas and laidback, friendly staff lend to Osaka’s casual hide-away atmosphere, while a feature wall of various sized shelves and boxes, containing exciting Japanese knick-knacks, provides a fantastic conversation starter. Everything from colourful spinning tops to teapots, paper cranes and Buddha statues; it’s intriguing to say the least.

Gyoza (pan fried pork and cabbage dumplings)

L-R: Edamame, karaage chicken and ramen no.1 (shoyu tare, chicken broth, pork belly chashu, bean sprouts and shallots)

The food and drink at Osaka can be summed up in two words - straightforward and delicious, with head chef Shota Sato and beverage manager Luke Hanzlicek preferring to keep things simple, while using high-quality ingredients. This is a great place for those visiting a Japanese venue for the first time, with staff happy to help recommend dishes or create a beverage for you based on what you like and know.

At the bar, you can choose from a selection of nine reasonably priced, premium sakes, ranging from savoury to fruity, delicate to rich; something for both the unacquainted and connoisseur. There’s also an impressive range of Japanese whiskies, beers, wines and classic cocktails made to order.

Poke rice bowl (assorted sashimi, salad, edamame beans and rice)

Try a menu of three warming ramens among other delights all day on Monday and for lunch from Tuesday to Saturday. The Ramen Project was designed for those looking for a cheap and simple meal, and has been pulling in residents and business workers since it launched. We recommend no. 2 – the tantanmen ramen, but if spice isn’t your thing try no.1, or pick the vegan or vegetarian option with no.3. We also tried the poke rice bowl, edamame, gyoza and karaage chicken with smiles on our faces.

If you have time, check out Osaka’s sister venue, Tokyo Bird in Surry Hills. The speciality there is yakitori (grilled skewers) and morsel snacks, alongside whisky, beer, sake and cocktails. It’s the perfect place to grab a light snack and couple of drinks after work or before heading out. Ramen no.2 (tantanmen, roasted sesame and chilli tare, pork mince and bok choy)

Ramen no.3 (hiyashi chuka chilled ramen with pork belly, onsen egg, veggies and soy mustard dressing) Tramsheds, 1 Dalgal Way Forest Lodge, NSW 2037 T: 02 8880 0717 W: www.osakatrading.com.au Opening hours: Lunch: Mon-Sun 12.00pm-3.00pm Dinner: Mon-Sun 6.00pm-late