Submitted on Mon 24 Feb 2025
This month’s Lunch Club was a little more intimate than usual. While we had plenty of qualifiers (go team!), most were still soaking up the last of their holiday leave, enjoying their own mini lunch clubs with family and friends (because, let’s face it, we’re flexible like that).
That left Simon and Anna to take one for the team and dive headfirst into an afternoon of rebellious Japanese cuisine at Kid Kyoto—a place where grunge meets Izakaya and the food is as bold as the décor.
Did it live up to expectations? Let’s find out.
Simon – 4.5/5
“An awesome afternoon and a great restaurant. All the courses were interesting and a little unusual. From the watermelon sashimi to the corn ribs, every dish had a creative twist. The only miss for me? The noodle and egg salad—I’m not a fan of cold, runny eggs (or eggs that look like they’re judging me while I eat).
The staff were brilliant—super helpful, chatty, and really added to the experience. And the venue? Let’s just say if punk rock and Japanese fine dining had a baby, it would look like Kid Kyoto.
Definitely a solid 4.5/5—the only reason it’s not a full 5 is because I just couldn’t get on board with those noodles. Everything else was awesome. And obviously, the company wasn’t bad either.”
Simon came for the food, stayed for the atmosphere, and left with a newfound appreciation for watermelon pretending to be fish. A few questionable eggs aside, he had a blast.
Anna – 4.92/5
“This time, it was just Simon and me for Lunch Club and since we both have personal fitness goals and upcoming events, we decided to skip the alcoholic drinks and experiment with non-alcoholic wines instead. Verdict? Hit or miss (not Kid Kyoto’s fault), but definitely an interesting experience. Also, since Simon is pescatarian, I went non-meat for the meal, which worked out perfectly.
The food? Fantastic. We shared a variety of small dishes to get a taste of everything. My highlights were:
- Charred edamame – because sometimes simplicity is genius.
- Watermelon sashimi – surprisingly delicious, despite my initial skepticism.
- Scallop potato mochi – yes, it was as good as it sounds.
We also tried Taco-Age Murray cod, corn ribs with miso garlic butter, 63° egg noodles, and cucumber with ricotta, chili jam, and peanut. Each dish was a unique combo I hadn’t experienced before, but somehow, it all just worked.
For dessert, we shared two dishes:
- Peach pavlova with vanilla custard and soy caramel – light, fresh, and a great palate cleanser.
- ‘Tiramiso’ with miso dulce de leche and cocoa nib crumble – this one stole the show!
Overall, it was everything I love about Lunch Club—unique food, unexpected experiences, and great company (even if it was just one person this time, but hey, a good one!)
Anna embraced the adventure with open arms and an open mind (especially when it came to plant-based sashimi). She left impressed, well-fed, and with a new appreciation for food that defies expectations.
Final Thoughts…
Kid Kyoto was bold, unexpected, and packed with personality—exactly the kind of experience Lunch Club is all about. From the rock-inspired atmosphere to the fusion dishes that somehow just worked, it was a win all around (minus the cold, runny egg).
Until next time on TRC’s Lunch Club adventures…
If you’re an awesome recruiter looking for a recruitment agency to call your new home, then let’s start with a chat. Call us today on (02) 8346 6716 or email to [email protected] for a no obligation chat with Simon.
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