Overview
Arriving at Sydney's jack-of-all-trades dining precinct Sydney Place, Matkim is Circular Quay's intimate new omakase restaurant bringing bold Korean flavours to the intimate degustation-style dining experience.
The eight-seat venue is the latest in a far-reaching variety of opens to hit the precinct, joining fast-casual spots like Kosta's Takeaway and Malay Chinese Noodle Bar, as well as more refined hospitality options like Bar Besuto and Bistro George.
As with many of Sydney's best omakase experiences, this will prove a hard-to-book spot with just one 6pm seating for eight guests each night. As you would expect, it also doesn't come cheap, with the Chef's Table Menu setting you back $259 per person. But you'll be treated to a night filled with inventive, artistic dishes showcasing local produce and specialty Korean ingredients (the team imports sesame oil, gochujang and doenjang to use in the kitchen).
"In our kitchen, every dish tells a story," says Executive Chef Jacob Lee. "We're not just preparing food; we're weaving a narrative of Korean culture, history and tradition with every ingredient we choose."
"Our philosophy is deeply rooted in the elements of air, fire, earth and water, mirroring the trigrams of the Korean flag. It's a dance of flavours and techniques that brings our guests closer to the essence of Korean cuisine, but under a new lens."
The menu isn't set in stone night on night, but some of the highlights Matkim has served up since opening include Western Australian marron with Korean crab soybean soup; yukhoe tangtangi — a beef tartare dish topped with octopus that's having a big resurgence in popularity in Korea at the moment; and a trio of tiny sweet treats including peanut praline choux and a mugwort macron served in a pint-sized chest.
Once you've managed to secure a booking, you're in for an evening watching Lee and the meticulous team go to work in the open kitchen as they bring you one unique dish after another.
Matkim is located at Shop CQT.07 180 George Street, Sydney. Head to the restaurant's website for more information.