MELBOURNE | Kappo Tora is a small Japanese restaurant that recently opened in Healey’s Lane. It’s owned by the team behind popular Korean restaurant Seven Star Pocha, and Japanese restaurant Nana Izakaya, also on Healey’s Lane. I popped in recently for What’s on Melbourne.
The menu at Kappo Tora is quite extensive, with a particular focus on teishoku. The former is based on the ichiju-issai set meals traditionally served at Zen temples. That is, a main, served with sides of soup, rice, and pickles.
At Kappo Tora, the signature teishoku features a selection of katsu as the main. Your choice of pork tenderloin or loin (or a combination), chicken breast, cheese, or prawn. The pork is served medium-rare, with a sauce that’s less Worcestershire-like than typical tonkatsu sauce. With light fried panko coating, it’s a great choice if you’re looking for something a bit different than most versions you find in Melbourne.
Other things on the menu include donburi, udon, nigiri, and sashimi. There’s also sukiyaki if you’re in the mood for hot pot. The seafood is of excellent quality, prepared to order by Kappo Tora’s sushi chef, at the central raw bar, which you can sit at. If you want to try something that sounds a bit crazy but actually really works, check out the parmesan-laden bolognese origiri. I was sceptical at first, but consider me a convert.
To drink, there’s hot and cold sake, soju, Japanese beer, and highballs. There’s also a selection of tea by Lupicia, mocktails, and sodas if you’re looking for something non-alcoholic.
Kappo Tora
3 Healeys Lane
Melbourne
Victoria 3000
Australia
Telephone: 0433 770 642
E-mail: n/a
Website
Open
Mon – Sun: 12:00pm to 4:00pm; 5:00pm to 12:00am