I know sushi is not everyone's favourite meal, but this very special place is not just sushi. Peter and I first came here about three years ago, and make a determined effort to come everytime we are in the area.
This cafe is really good for Japanese soup. I freely admit that I am not a big soup eater, but here my choice is nearly always soup, particularly their dumpling soup. It really is just delicious and fun to eat. For some reason chasing the lumps with chopsticks adds to the fun – maybe I am still having a little rebellion against the family rules of not playing with my food. Mind you, the serious eating is done with the little spoon, which lets you sip the soup without burning your mouth.
We were in Coffs Harbour for a few days, and had spent some time tasting some sweets and chocolate in the morning, so neither of us were really hungry. Peter decided to have a small seafood misso soup, and for once I went with the sushi and a Vietnamese vegetable roll. As usual they were just wonderful, and the Chinese tea always seems to go so well with the food.
One of the things that I really like about sushi bars, and Jian's is no different, is watching the food being made and constantly turning over. It is a very busy cafe, so the food making never seems to stop. I also like being able to see the kitchen, it is right there behind the counter, not hidden away from sight. If you want you can just stand and wait to see what it takes to make your soup, or just sit down and let the experts make it without your supervision.
One of the problems can be working out what you want, or even what something is. To make it crystal clear the walls are covered with photos of the meals with names and prices underneath. One wall has sushi and misso soups, the other wall has the big soups that make a complete meal. I am still not sure that I would call these soups, I think of them more as delicious stews with a thin gravy!Whatever you call them, it is such a good place to eat. Jian's soup will always be on my list.
They are open Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm and Saturday 9am to 3pm. Our lunch cost us $23.50 and was worth every cent.
Jian's Sushi and Noodle Bar
Shop 1, 108-110 Harbour Drive
City Centre Mall,
Coffs Harbour, NSW 2450
Phone: 02 6658 1212
Email:
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Review by Alison Huth posted November 2011
Venue visited 23rd November 2011
Photos by Alison Huth
