Papirica

​A Broadsheet write up directed us to Papirica and we found ourselves there on Saturday just before midday. 

It was pretty quiet with only a handful of dining couples in there. The front room is sparsely furnished with a Japanese vintage air to it. There are various knick knacks mainly congregating at the front desk whilst the rest of the room is emptier.

We were greeted in a friendly manner and had a choice of tables to sit at. There are some bigger tables out the back apparently.

Whilst the story behind Papirica intrigued me; home cooking becomes a pop up and then a permanent cafe I have to admit that my experience of okonomiyaki, that Japanese pancake, hasn't really been all that positive. Granted I have never had it in Japan so have nothing to compare it to and the versions I have eaten have been on the heavier, mushier and greasy side of things so I'm not sure I'll enjoy this but happy to give it a try...

The menu is short and the meat is mainly pork. There are three different types of okonomiyaki, three rice dishes and three sandwiches. There is plenty for vegetarians too. We order:

• Pork with bonito flakes okonomiyaki with extra of mochi rice cake and a fried egg
• Buta kim chi donburi which is stir fried pork and kim chi with a sesame mayo dressing on rice topped with a fried egg

It's not too long before the dishes arrive. I do wonder if the place is busier whether there would be time delays. Both dishes look appetising. The okonomiyaki is pretty much smothered in sauce so we have to pull it apart to try and see what's in there. When we do so we see thin discs of pork, some dense rice cakes and the layered pancake with what looks like cabbage - almost rosti like.

The homemade sauce and mayo is not as overpowering as it looks and the pickled ginger adds a nice tang that cuts through some of the density of the dish. It's rib stickingly good. Great to share - not sure who I would fare with a whole one. I'd like to try it with cheese next time which is on the add on list.

The donburi isn't the biggest bowl of rice in the world but it's sufficient. The quality of the kim chi is up there. It's not as astringent and strong as some and I really enjoy this mellowed out version. There's tang and spice but just enough.

Special mention to the two fried eggs - perfect egg yolk cooking!

The okonomiyaki ends up being $21 with the extras and the rice dish $15. I'm sure there are cheaper and likely larger versions out there but I am convinced of the quality of both dishes that I think it's a fair price to pay.

We finish things off with the matcha tiramisu which is creamy, sweet and light with a faint bitter finish from the matcha. It's pleasant enough but I'm not rushing to try it again unlike the kim chi!

All in all, we really enjoyed our lunch at Papirica. It's home style, comforting and no fuss cooking that feels like it's come from a family kitchen in Japan so there's definitely some charm as well as tasty substance in the dishes and the dining room. For Japanese that's outside of the usual sushi and ramen offering, this is a quirky but satisfying option.