We don’t often go to Kobe Jones. It is what everybody says it is; it’s over priced, the service is meh and oh, but if you’re a “legs” guy, it’s probably worth your while to go, just to check out the girls they put up front to meet and greet guests. Wowza.
But once in a while, we do go to Kobe Jones for one reason and one reason only. (Although, after this visit, we now have two reasons to go, but that kinda ruins the flow of my story). The volcano roll. And for $39 for eight pieces of sushi, you’d better believe that it’s fucking mind blowing.
Last Friday, I had a craving for the volcano roll. A rather last minute craving and Kobe Jones is the kind of place that gets booked up well in advance so at the crazy early time of um… 6pm, Panu and I got a table and my volcano roll craving was to be quashed.
Volcano roll: oven baked scallops layered on a crab salad and avocado roll
with our special cream sauce and a sesame seed and shallot sprinkle
The volcano roll is not pretty. It really does look like someone’s had a big night out and perhaps they had an omelette for dinner, but honestly? Look past the spewy mess and put a roll in your mouth. If your toes don’t curl from absolute delight, you are not human.
That special cream sauce is something else all together. I think it contains a gallon of butter mixed with a whole lot of mayonnaise, but whatever it is, it’s seriously awesome. I fell in love with this ghastly mess probably six or seven years ago… and someone tweeted that they maybe weren’t what they used to be, but I think they are still mighty fine and worth the whole $39. Hells yeah.
We also ordered the Number One Special. And I didn’t think I could love anything more than the volcano roll.
Number one special: crab salad with avocado wrapped in Hiramasa kingfish and baked with secret sauce
At $21 for two little balls (and $10 per ball thereafter), these guys are worth every penny. I actually can’t describe how amazing this tastes but it’s one of those things, you know? When you try and eat it ever so slowly to draw out the experience and when it ends… you eye out your partner’s portion. You know what I mean?
Here’s are it’s innards:
We also had agedashi tofu. It was pretty unremarkable and came coated in some batter that was so thick, we could barely cut through it with a spoon, let alone chopsticks. Thank goodness for teeth. I wouldn’t order this again and I certainly won’t tell you how much it cost.
Agedashi tofu: tempura silken tofu with tuna shaving
Desserts! The great thing about having dinner at 6pm is that by 9pm, you’re totally allowed to have dessert again. The desserts at Kobe Jones are good, but unlike the volcano roll and number one special, they aren’t life altering experiences.
Sushi me 2: vanilla cheesecake, fresh fruits topping, served with almond sauce
and our famous chocolate chopsticks
My matcha crème brulee did come out on fire though, which is pretty entertaining and there’s red bean hidden inside. Love those surprises
Anko: flambéed green tea crème brulee
Another big plus for Kobe Jones, and probably the sole reason for their humongously inflated prices, is their location on King Street Wharf. At 6pm, the sun was still shining into the restaurant, so the shades were drawn, but as soon it dipped behind The Star, they raise the shades for you to witness the natural wonder that is sunset over Darling Harbour.
Go. Go and try the volcano roll and number one special. And then you can be addicted like me.
Kobe Jones
29 Lime Street,
King Street Wharf
Sydney, NSW, 2000
(02) 9299 5290
website
