As a rule of thumb, we don’t trust people who don’t like Japanese food. With some of the most visually beautiful and technical cuisine in the world, who wouldn’t fantasise about a hot bowl of ramen, a colourful bento box, or delicate side of sashimi?
We’re also all for trying new experiences and definitely keen if it involves stuffing our hungry little faces with authentic (and slightly crazy-awesome) Japanese fare! So when we heard that the owners of iconic, award-winning Brisbane restaurant, Sono, had created a spin-off casual Japanese eatery on the southside of town, we went, we saw, and we ate. A lot!
Tucked away in two locations, the modern end of Westfield Garden City and the newly re-opened Pacific Fair down the coast, lies modern Japanese restaurant, Motto Motto. Not just your average shopping centre pit-stop, Motto Motto is housed in a state-of-the-art space, adorned with custom origami art, and a menu that will tickle your tastebuds.
So gather the gang, bring your appetites and get ordering, here’s our top five must eats from the Motto Motto menu:
#1 Donburi Bowls
Start right with a few donburi bowls. Motto Motto’s Seafood Chirashi (Tassie salmon, Pacific ocean tuna with scallops and yuzu citrus sauce), Classic Teriyaki, and Slow-Cooked Pork Belly are total crowd-pleasers.
#2 Panko Katsu
Not feeling a rice dish? Order the Panko Katsu or Crispy Prawn rolls on their freshly baked brioche buns. It’s carbs, it’s panko, and it’s good!
#3 Bento Boxes
Motto Motto even let’s you build your own bento box! Our faves combos are the Pork Gyoza, Soft-Shell Crab and Fries with Seaweed Salt (perfect for indecisive foodies).
#4 Peach Cider
You’ll need to wash your feast down with something as equally delicious, so try a Tomomasu Peach Cider. If you’re feeling super adventurous, or have a craving for something truly authentic, order the baby Choya Umeshu (Japanese Plum wine), or the Ikeza Sparkling Sake Jelly—it may jiggle, but it’s mind-blowing!
#5 Japanese Soft-Serve Ice Cream
Dinner would be no dinner without dessert, and Motto Motto certainly save the best til last; their soft-serve ice cream is pastel-hued heaven. With three flavours to choose from (Green Tea, Vanilla, and Marble—Green Tea and Vanilla swirl), throw the diet out the window and order all three!
Serving up authentic, colourful Japanese dishes, Motto Motto is great for a re-fuel after some shopping cardio, but also the perfect spot for a bite if you’re looking for something ever so slightly out of the ordinary. It’s pretty hard to beat that.
Image credit: Ariana Gillrie
TUL Note: This article is proudly sponsored by Motto Motto and endorsed by The Urban List. Thank you for supporting the sponsors who make The Urban List possible. Click here for more information on our editorial policy.