Yamitsuki has served over 2 million happy customers during its 19 year existence. Well known as one of Bedfordview's finest sushi and dim sum restaurants, Yamitsuki is an absolute must-visit. Here's what we found when we stopped by.
Dim Sum
Dive into a trove of beautiful and delicious dumplings hot off the bamboo steamers. Patrons can expect options such as spinach and cream cheese, coriander chicken with cashews, and chicken, basil, and chilli to name a few.
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Sushi
Yamitsuki's claim to fame is its sushi, or to be more precise, its flaming sushi. The restaurant's dedication to the craft is evident in the fact that they have a sushi bar complete with conveyor belt. With a sushi menu as long as the N1 highway, one thing is for certain - it's all delicious. Interesting varieties include biltong and cream cheese rolls, soft shell crab tempura rolls, and the prawn tempura, cheese and smoked salmon with dynamite sauce and thick soy sauce. There are no wrong choices!
Stir fry, Noodles & Curry
You can't have Asian food without stir fry and noodles! But a lesser known Japanese dish is curry. Yup, you read that right. Curries have become so popular in Japenese cuisine that it's been added to the country's list of national dishes. Patrons can expect tangy curry flavours, served with a side of choice chicken, beef fillets, or prawns. And for added variety, the menu also boasts Thai green, red and yellow curries served with veg, chicken, or prawn. For the noodles, you can choose between wok fried, egg fried, or rice noodles served with a protein of your choice (veg, beef fillet, calamari, prawn, or chicken). These come with a variety of sauces such as smokey soy, spicy cashew, or sweet and sour. The stir fries sing a song about the usual suspects such as sweet and sour, crispy beef, and chicken cashew nut.
Western flavours and signature drinks
There are a handful of yōshoku (Western cuisine) that pop up on the menu. These items include hamburgers and fish and chips, lending familiarity to an otherwise foreign menu. Little ones can also join in on the Yamitsuki feast, taking their pick of soups, noodles and rice dishes from the toddler-friendly menu.
However, on Friday nights it's kanpai and bottoms up at Yamitsuki. The drinks menu sings songs as sweet as the breeze at the foot of Mount Fuji during springtime. A must-have would be their signature wasabi martini, complete with a fire show. It's the perfect balance of bitter and fresh, topped off with an amazing show of theatrics. If you're after a dining experience with a difference, stop by Yamitsuki on your next Friday night jaunt.
For More Information
Visit their website for more information or follow them on social media:
Details: (Tel) 086 117 8744 / 011 455 0380 | [email protected] | 55 Van Buuren Road,
Bedfordview, Germiston.
Have you been to Yamitsuki before? Let us know about your experience in the comments below!
The New China Town
"Why?" you ask. "What could possibly be in Cyrildene? Where is Cyrildene?" I am still not sure myself, but I somehow managed to find it.
Anyone remember China Town on Commissioner street? Barely, right? Well, as the popularity of that area decreased, a great trek occurred. The majority of the restaurants and supermarkets moved all the way down (or is it up?) to the now famous Derrick Avenue in Cyrildene, dubbed the New China Town.
Derrick Avenue
Derrick Avenue has a worn feel to it. But, take a second to admire the towering red pergola or ‘paifang’ which is quite breath-taking. Soon enough you will hear the siren song beckon you in.
Food
Venture down past the shop fronts and stop for a meal at Shun De. This place is adored by both locals and visitors. Shun De is famous for its Zhao Cha, which roughly translates into ‘morning tea’, but is more commonly known as Dim Sum. There is also the unique Fisherman’s Plate, which offers traditional Chinese food, but on another level. They allow you to bring your own wine to enjoy with your meal! You had me at Ni hao. A handy tip before grabbing some food would be to either bring along a Mandarin speaking friend or arrive with a recommendation, as not all the menus are in English and many staff can't speak the language either.
Entertainment
I must highlight the most notable form of entertainment that Cyrildene offers: KTV, the karaoke bar, which is a hidden gem worth discovering. Once again the exterior does need to be overlooked just a little. But, once you are inside, all is forgotten. It’s a different world entirely. In the past it was compulsory to reserve a room before arriving, but now you can just show up – ideally with an Asian friend. Not only for the camaraderie, but also to help you decipher the karaoke machines. If you don’t have a friend on hand, try to remain cognisant long enough to get inside and to figure out how to select your jams and push play. From there your waiter will start the machines and you can begin ordering drinks.
The Oriental City
Finally, onward to The Oriental City in Bruma – the shopping mecca close to the highway on-ramp. Look out for the ‘Much Better” store which you will enter needing nothing, but leave having purchased everything. In fact, the same thread runs throughout the entire shopping complex. Crazy cheap prices on crazy items. From pellet guns to party décor – I generally shop at these malls when attending costume parties or buying obscure gifts for friends.
All in all, Cyrildene has much to offer to anyone willing to explore.
#explorecyrildene
Have you been to Cyrildene before? Let us know what you think of it in the comments section below. Maybe plan a Chinatown mission and share this article with your crew.
As a self-proclaimed food critic – who owns the pasta belly to prove it – it is of utmost importance to always know where the best Italian, steak and Chinese restaurants in my area are. The latter of those three is one of the most important. For many years now I have been battling my addiction to sweet and sour pork, and nothing, I say NOTHING makes or breaks a mainland China menu like good sweet and sour pork. This brings us to Shallow Waters in Northcliff, which is situated in the popular L Corro Shopping Centre.
The restaurant itself is spacious and dimly lit, which adds to the ambience and recreates the tranquillity of the scenic Chinese city of Yangshuo. Tsing Tao is served ice cold and professional sushi chefs dance their fingers across sharp sashimi knives in preparation of beautiful platters of seaweed, rice and raw fish.
Above and beyond the main menu, which is similar to all Chinese restaurants, is the flavour – which is the reason we’re all here, right? I’ve had sweet and sour pork in many restaurants from here to Kimberley but none come close to that prepared by the kitchen at Still Waters. It’s almost as if each slice of meat is individually cared for and marinated and rolled in sesame seeds and served with egg fried rice just for me. The vegetarian options on the menu are fair but few apart, but there is a hidden option the restaurateurs don’t advertise – and we came upon this completely by accident.
The meat in most dishes can be replaced with tofu, which is brilliant and opens up the veg choices tenfold – just make sure they have in stock when ordering. Other favourites on the menu include the dumplings and chicken hot pot. For dessert, Shallow Waters boasts a weird and wonderful list of items such as the classic deep fried ice cream and deep fried banana, and then they’ve added deep fried litchi as an option as well which I’ve not yet had but I have to say that it looks extremely interesting.
So, what I’m saying is if you’re into sweet and sour pork and classic sit-down Asian dining then take my word for it and check out Shallow Waters – you won’t be disappointed.
By Shawn Greyling
Let's Get The Party Started!
Let's eat, be merry and have nothing but a fun time with everyone celebrating the Chinese New Years. We are keen to join in this year, so to spare ourselves FOMO we are making sure that we at least one of these. We cannot resist the charms of dragon dancing, fireworks, lanterns and of course, some mouthwatering foods. For all those reasons, we are going! The Chinese New Years is also called chunjie (春节), or the Spring Festival. To find out where to celebrate the day check these events out:
Chinese New Year Celebrations
Date: Saturday, 16 February 2019 at 17:30.
Where: Fisherman's Plate 真味海鮮, 18 Derrick Avenue Cyrildene, Bruma, Johannesburg.
You are kindly invited to feast and enjoy the beautiful celebrations. We can never say no to food, yep there is going to be plenty to eat. We hope your stomachs are read! If you are vegetarian never fear because they promise to give you amazing vegetarian food that will leave you begging for seconds. So, come indulge in some tasty soups, spring rolls, deep fried soya prawns, grilled soya ham, vegetarian curry, kung pao mushroom and so plenty more to indulge in. Visit this Facebook page for more information.
UJCI Chinese Spring Festival
Date: Friday, 01 February 2019 at 15:00 - 18:00.
Where: 09 Molesey Avenue, Auckland Park, Johannesburg.
You are cordially invited by the University of Johannesburg Confucius Institute (UJCI) and Chinese Embassy to attend their Chinese Spring Festival to celebrate the Spring Festival. In 2019 the first day of the Lunar New Year will be on Tuesday, 05 February 2019. For more information be sure to contact Ms. Yan Chen on [email protected] or call 011 559 7500 or simply visit this Facebook page for more information.
Chinese New Year Festival 2019 at Nan Hua Temple
Date: Sunday, 10 February 2019 from 10:00 – 15:00.
Where: Nan Hua Temple, 27 Nan Hua Road, Cultura Park, Bronkhorstspruit, Gauteng.
Make sure you join in at the Nan Hua Temple for the spectacular Chinese New Year celebrations. This is the perfect place for you to come enjoy and celebrate the day because they will be hosting a series of traditional events that can be enjoyed by all. Other than all the fun and exciting ceremonies during the day, you can explore the temple and take in all the stunning architecture, surroundings and peace. Visit here!
The schedule for the day is as follows:
- 09:30 – Light Offering Dharma Ceremony
- 10:00 – Opening Ceremony for Chinese Cultural Festival
- 10:00 to 15:30 – Chinese Cultural Festival
- 11:30 to 14:30 – Multicultural Performances
Chinese New Year in Cyrildene
Date: Saturday, 16 February 2019.
Where: Derrick Avenue, Cyrildene, Johannesburg.
Why don't you and a group of friends join in at Cyrildene, which is Joburg's biggest Chinatown and they will be celebrating Chinese New Year. The event is said to be joyful, exuberating and filled with colourful display and we want to be part of it all. Derrick Avenue will also be filled with streetside food stalls and Cyrildene's many restaurants all offering special festive menus. There also will be a long parade begins to wind its way up the street, led by a colourful Chinese lion who will be followed by dancers in traditional costume and a long, dancing Chinese dragon. And of course, there will be fireworks see you there!
These are some of the best of the many venues on Derrick Avenue:
Chinese New Year in First Chinatown
Date: Saturday, 23 February 2019.
Where: First Chinatown - Commissioner Street, Corner Commissioner Street and Mcingana Street, Ferreirasdorp, City Centre, Johannesburg.
Joburg's First Chinatown on Commissioner Street celebrates Chinese New Year on Saturday February 23 with a massive fireworks display, tons of street food stalls and plenty of traditional entertainment. The arrival of the Year of the Pig will be welcomed with dancing Chinese dragons and lions, Chinese drumming and singing and Kung Fu and Tai Chi displays.
Where will you be celebrating? Share with us down below...