Okuman Karaage & Ramen Bar

Okuman Karaage & Ramen Bar is a lively little bar eatery and slice of real Japan found nestled next to Birds Nest Yakitori & Bar on busy Melbourne St in South Brisbane.

Upon being greeted by exuberant chants from chefs and kimono-clad waitresses, diners have the option of sitting up at the counter bar in the midst of the action, a traditional dining room out back or standard pale wood tables and chairs which are scattered throughout the rest of the venue.

The food at Okuman Karaage & Ramen Bar is a winner – a range of great value traditional dishes (the majority under $20) served on stunning handmade Japanese pottery.

For lunch there’s Bento Boxes (teriyaki or karaage chicken, ginger fried pork, sashimi or tempura) or Ramen with the option of delectable handmade gyoza on the side. Also on offer are rice/noodle dishes including Yai-Chazuke, Seafood yakisoba or Inaniwa Udon.

Come dinnertime the options change to include Sashimi of the Day (3, 5 or 7 varieties), Sushi of the Day (5 or 8 varieties) or Tempura (vegetable or soft shell crab). Other mains include Steamed Oysters, Fresh Fish Nitsuke, Chicken Nanban, Niku-Jaga Omelette and Suki-Yaki Beef.

To accompany are an expansive list of side dishes such as Dengaku Eggplant, Renkon Manjyu, Dashi-Maki, Akadashi, Wasabi Octopus, Tofu Salad or Chawan-Mushi.

Okuman Karaage & Ramen Bar is licensed but allows BYO wine. As well as Japanese beer (Asahi, Sapporo and Kirin) there’s Kirin Cider and a couple of Oz light beers (James Boag and XXXX). There’s a limited choice of boutique red and white wines.

The neat selection of Sake includes hot or cold  Shouchikubai , Dassai (Junmai Daiginjo sampai or the upper class Junmai Daiginjo 23) and Shocu (fruit liquor) is also available – think Lemon or Orange Chu-hai or Choya Umesyu/Yume Wine.

Good to know - Lunch and dinner have their own separate menus, with daily specials.

Need to know - All ordering is done by iPad on the tables (with wait staff on hand to assist the technologically-challenged!).

The menu may have changed since our visit.

A full list of the best Japanese restaurants in Brisbane HERE