Sponsored by Nuffnang
When Federation Square first opened back in 2002, Chocolate Buddha was the hottest place to eat and drink. It was the first of the communal Japanese dining halls in Melbourne (before the advent of places like Wagamama) and at night there were queues for the rows of communal tables and bar area.
Over the years, the fickle Melbourne restaurant crowd has gone to chase the tails of other hot new restaurants, but Chocolate Buddha has remained busy – now from what I can tell mainly from domestic tourists and families. And so it should. The large restaurant holds prime position in one of Melbourne’s most iconic spaces, with uninterrupted views of the big screens from the outside tables and a light-filled dining room serving quick and easy Japanese food.
On a Saturday afternoon, the place was swinging with hungry visitors ending their trip to the Tim Burton exhibition at ACMI and the NGV Australia’s Ian Potter Centre. Chocolate Buddha presents a non-intimidating atmosphere and familiar favourites menu for those who are not looking for haute Japanese cuisine. For that reason I think it’s particularly well suited for urbane kids who are used to eating, or are up for being introduced to, sushi, sashimi, yakitori, ramen and donburi. The communal tables make the restaurant noisy and convivial and there are lots of decorative elements to look at, such as the row of Buddhas that give the restaurant its name, making it the perfect the space for families.
The menu has been revamped beyond the original paper menu placemats featuring rice and noodle dishes. There is now a sushi and sashimi selection (with the fresh slabs of fish presented uncut in a glass case, very encouraging), noodles, donburi and most impressively, a whole page of gluten free options. The menu incorporates free range eggs and beef and organic chicken.
RM and I decided to sample the Ebi Tempura ($18.80) from the Zensai (light dishes) section, then a Ton Katsu Kare Don ($19.80) and a Bento box ($28.50) consisting of beef skewers (though I requested chicken), nori rolls of the chef’s choice and Tori Tatsuta, all washed down with individual pots of T2 Gen Mai Cha Sencha, green tea with roasted rice ($5 each).
The Ebi Tempura came out quickly and the king prawns were so huge they were a bit unwieldy when dipped into the fresh ginger, daikon and dashi dipping sauce. The prawns were very fresh although I found the tempura batter to be a bit floury in the centre.
The Ton Katsu Kare Don was a huge bowl of rice topped with a deep fried panko crumbed pork loin cutlet and vegetables and a liberal ladle of curry sauce. I do not enjoy having my food doused in any sort of sauce so if you’re like me and you’re going to order this dish then I would request half the amount of sauce or to have the sauce on the side (not authentic I know, but so much more pleasant). Japanese curry is very mild and this was a good representation of the dish.
The Bento box was equally enormous. The chicken yakitori marinated with a sticky mirin-soy sauce was very juicy and perfectly accompanied by the rice. My favourite, however, was the Tori Tatsuta (deep fried ginger and teriyaki chicken pieces) because of the piquancy of the accompanying wasabi mayonnaise. Wasabi mayonnaise can often be a bit wussy and this version’s pleasant kick cut through the batter of the chicken. In contrast, the pumpkin nori rolls were bland – perhaps I would have been better off with the raw fish options.
Both the Ton Katsu Kare Don and the Bento Box were served with a bowl of steaming miso soup, which really tipped us over the edge with no room to try dessert.
If you’re visiting an exhibition or gallery at Federation Square, then I recommend Chocolate Buddha as a pleasant location for a meal or tea break. Don’t expect cutting edge dishes or challenging ingredients, but its offering of Japanese staples in a pleasant environment is a cut above some of the other offerings in the vicinity.
WIN! To be in the running for one of two $50 vouchers for Chocolate Buddha, just leave a comment before 5pm Friday 30 July. The winners will be randomly drawn out of the Kitchenaid of Fortune.
Thanks to Nuffnang and Chocolate Buddha for inviting us to lunch. The fee for this sponsored post has been donated to STREAT, a social enterprise organisation that runs a mobile food cart at Federation Square.
great review!
really?!? hate chocolate buddha.. probably my most hated in Melbourne… the service is appalling.. and the food is about half as good as what it used to be….
glad you had a good time though
Twitter: easyasveganpie
| July 23, 2010, 8:39 am
Hi Carla
I’ll pop your name in the Kitchenaid of Fortune anyway, and if you win the voucher maybe you’ll give Chocolate Buddha a second chance
I’m sorry that you’ve had bad service and bad food there….I found the service to be quick and friendly and while the food was not exactly cutting edge, it was a decent Saturday lunch after a trek around Federation Square.
Jetsetting Joyce
i’ve walked past it a million times, but never thought to go in. i always assume everything in fed square is touristy, bland and overpriced. but i’m intrigued now… cheers joyce!
I’ve got to say I’ve mostly been disappointed the few times I’ve been to Chocolate Buddha. The food is reasonable, but not for the prices which they charge. You’d find equivalent or better food at other Japanese restaurants in the city, at a fraction of the cost. They fared OK in the ramenhunt earlier this year, but I guess you’re mostly paying for the location. Which is much better value in Summer.
That being said, I used to go there quite often when they had $4 Stella schooner happy hours… not sure if they do anymore.
Twitter: cloudcontrol
| July 23, 2010, 9:23 am
Hi Billy
Yes, I don’t think Chocolate Buddha does the best or cheapest Japanese in town – but I think it’s a good spot if you’re in Federation Square and in need of a feed, especially as you say in summer when you want to look out on the amphitheatre or the big screen. I have yet to try the ramen, next time!
Jetsetting Joyce
Thanks for the review Joyce, I might actually try it now; it’s just I have this impression of all venues at fed square being overpriced for what they are.
That said, if I was around on a weekday at lunchtime, I’d still rather go for awesome, authentic and (relatively) cheap Japanese at Sushi Ten.
Cheers.
Hi Nelson
I agree with you – Sushi Ten is cheaper, more authentic and more likely to get my custom on a weekday. Chocolate Buddha is aiming for a different market in a different location (I doubt any tourist would venture into Port Phillip Arcade without knowing what was in there first), so I think it does a good job in those circumstances.
Jetsetting Joyce
Nice spot
Twitter: Hugh_Lucero
| July 23, 2010, 9:29 am
I haven’t been here in ages, sounds like it’s worth another visit!
Choc Buddha has always been so crowded when I’ve considered it, so I’ve left. OK, now I will go in and try it. My daughter loves sushi, so we’ll definitely go now. Thanks Mel!
Hi Deanna
The turnaround is fast so while it’s crowded, it’s not so busy that it’s impossible to get a table. Let me know what you think of the sushi!
Jetsetting Joyce
I’ve had a couple of friends from interstate rave about this place and recommend it several times, but I haven’t been on account of thinking it wouldn’t be suitable to visit with a kid. Might give it a try now!
(also A+ on transparent sponsored/ paid post!)
Hi Jasmine
It is the perfect place to bring kids, I think (and I don’t have kids!). In fact, one cute couple was a little Chinese girl and her grandfather, sitting across from each other having a sedate and dainty meal together. Although there were definitely kids clambering all over the stools as well!
Jetsetting Joyce
I remember going to Chocolate Buddha for pretty much every occasion I could for years after it opened. I’ve really noticed the changes, from making a point of not serving suhsi & sashimi and now they’ve got all proper table settings and stuff as well. I’d love to see what has changed on the menu and hopefully it’s all for the better!
Thanks for reminding me about an old favourite
Twitter: healthypartygrl
| July 23, 2010, 11:15 am
I’ve been to Chocolate Buddha a couple of times but have not been overly impressed with the food. I remember one of my meals being lukewarm when I received it! As mentioned in the other comments, it is over priced for what you get and the only real good thing about the place is the location (which you’re really paying for). It has been a couple of years ago though since I last went so perhaps the restaurant has improved during that time?!
I had my first date at chocolatebuddha 2 years ago…it was one of my best first dates ever, and i remember having their soft shell crabs which was awesome….yum yum yum!
i would really like to go there again to remember good times and celebrate once again!!! its an awesome place guys!!!!
Great giveaway! I’ve been wanting to go the Tim Burton exhibition and this would be the perfect place for a stop to eat. I’ve always wanted to go in but been kinda glanced in at the busy crowds and went for something else – would love to try it tho!
Twitter: silvara_
| July 23, 2010, 12:38 pm
Possibly outing myself as uncool, I have to say I really love Chocolate Buddha. I try to order what’s listed as specials as they will be the more adventurous offerings.
It is a little expensive overall but I was impressed with the quality of their sushi and sashimi platter.
Mind you, I went about a year ago so it might have changed in that time.
Twitter: eatdrinkstagger
| July 23, 2010, 2:12 pm
Hi, I like Chocolate Buddha but have always found it at little too expensive. Beautiful photos on your post though! Thanks.
haven’t been there before, but the tempura prawns look tempting enough. hope i’ll have to chance to try it out!
I’ve always wanted to go to Chocolate Buddha, but for some reason or other, I’ve been putting it off… SO MANY PLACES TO EAT!!!
Twitter: msihua
| July 23, 2010, 10:43 pm
Not a big fan of Chocolate Buddha. But at least it is better than Wagamama! And to be honest, I am sure they get a lot of traffic from tourists
Twitter: jeroxie
| July 24, 2010, 12:58 am
will definitely give it a try one of these days. will be awesome with the voucher
I’m always up for winning stuff. And I do love Japanese – so fingers crossed!
Twitter: kittysdrawings
| July 24, 2010, 4:29 pm
I’ve always wondered about Chocolate Buddha after offthespork’s ramen post. It seems a bit expensive though, considering the other great Japanese restaurants in the CBD.
I went to Chocolate Buddha for a friends birthday and it was absolutely terrible. Not only was the service rude and lazy but they delivered mains to everyone but the birthday boy. And didn’t even apologise for it.
I can not tell you how much contempt I have for this place; it is just lives up to everything that we all suspect a restaurant at Fed Square would be – and is.
Glad to hear you had a good time, but there is no way in hell I’d step foot back in the place. I’d rather take my money elsewhere.
Twitter: ms_critique
| July 24, 2010, 8:40 pm
I ought to try this when I’m nearby. Love the way that tempura looks.
I haven’t been to chocolate buddha since back when it first opened… but I’m very impressed that they use free range/organic meat and eggs, that’s enough to make me go back and try again!
I’m visiting Melbourne town in 2 weeks, so count me in!
Always a quick meal when in the city. I enjoyed the eel last time I was there!
Twitter: tjbloom
| July 30, 2010, 10:48 am
Hi have been to chocolate Buddha many times, my favourite dish remains the udon noodles in miso broth with vegetables and tofu.
First place i ever tried edamame and now i am a edamame fanatic!
Their service can be a bit slow but i don’t expect them to be robots, they are people on their feet all day.
I personally have not had bad service from them.
Twitter: Nashina
| July 30, 2010, 10:54 am
I moved to Melbourne 4 years ago and never tried Chocolate Buddha out of spite because I was very disappointed they weren’t a chocolate store (much like a shop on Greville St that has a chocolate store type name AND San Churros like signage and turned out to be a menswear shop!).
Twitter: joojy
| July 30, 2010, 10:56 am
I’ve been to Choc Buddha countless times now and I have always enjoyed the food and the atmosphere. Yum… could do with some Yakitori now.
Oh I Loved chocolate buddha!
Twitter: phonakins
| July 30, 2010, 2:35 pm
I’ve never been to Choc Buddha and seriously would not pay $20 for katsu curry.
Wow.. those prawns do look huge! I’ve wanted to go to Chocolate Buddha for ages – boyfriend keeps promising me that we can go, but is always too busy.
Haha, if I win, maybe I’ll go without him!
Twitter: bunnyflorentine
| July 30, 2010, 2:40 pm
I tried the ramen before!! It tastes awesome
Twitter: misiao
| July 30, 2010, 3:32 pm
I have been a number of times and have found the food and atmosphere to be very good every time. It is good as a special meal before a show or night out. I especially like the grilled eggplant.
Twitter: andersondotau
| July 30, 2010, 9:25 pm