PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIAIt wasn’t long ago I was complaining to a friend about not being able to dine in the city, be it for lunch or dinner, for less than $20. Purchase a toasted panini and non-alcoholic drink from your average cafe and you’ll be lucky to receive $5 in change. So when I stumbled across Taka in Perth’s Shafto Lane, I was overjoyed to experience their sensational Japanese food and leave with plenty of change from a 20. This place is not glamorous in its decor but nor does it pretend to be anything fancy. Simple plastic tables and chairs are arranged in a communal eating style, maximising their “bums on seats” capacity and creating a great buzz during lunch time. For lack of better words, this place goes off between midday and 2pm on weekdays with local corporate and retail staff tucking into what has to be some of the simplest and best Japanese cuisine in Perth.
Most dishes are available in small or large serves, with the large also comprising a side salad and miso soup. A large illuminated photo menu board assists first-timers with their selection with over 20 dishes to choose from. There’s the all-essential sushi selection, teriyaki chicken, fish and beef; the latter is a personal favourite of mine. Traditional popular choices like chicken or prawn katsu, mixed tempura and Japanese-style curry also grace the menu board with eel don (marinated eel with rice and miso soup), agedashi tofu and karaage tempting those with more adventurous tastebuds. All the meals at Taka are of generous size and you can also help yourself to unlimited tea if you’re dining in. If you’re scared of sharing tables with strangers, I’d suggest going elsewhere, but if it’s great Japanese food for under $10 you seek, you’ve just struck gold at Taka.
Karen Bilsby, March 2008