Nakano Invites

Overview

Darling Square's popular izakaya Nakano Darling is going big this month with a series of five one-off meals curated by local Japanese chefs. If you're after a memorable Japanese meal, take your pick from one of these inventive displays of Japanese cooking ranging from yakitori omakase through to ox-tongue curry.

Billed as Nakano Invites, the event will run from Sunday, April 17 through to Thursday, April 21, bringing together Sydney's Japanese hospitality community after a tough two years for the industry. Participating chefs include Ken Takenaka (Jicca Dining), Kenta Hatamoto (Yakitori Yurippi), Jun Okamatsu (Kurumac), Yuki Ishikawa (Jazushi) and Iwao Yamanishi (Spanish Sakaba) serving up his Spanish-Japanese fusion.

Other highlights from the menus include Yamanishi's renowned ox-tail ramen, two set menus from Takenaka and an eight course dinner with accompanying jazz from Ishikawa.

Topping the whole thing off, Musubiya's founders Hiro and Ritusko Kawabata will be serving up Japanese breakfast sets featuring omusubi (or onigiri as it's also known) every day of the activation from 8am through to 2pm.

"When you eat our Omusubi, we want you to feel 'at home' and to bring you back to Japan. When you eat our Omusubi we want you to come back for more. That's the kind of Omusubi we serve and want you to try," Kawabata said.

Dive into the full program of Nakano Darling Invites events via the restaurant's website.

Oxtail ramen