Monday, May 27, 2013

Turning Japanese: Hot dogs at Chanoma Cafe

I’m not really a huge fan of hot dogs – I think too many supermarket frankfurts in my childhood may have marred my view of the red-skinned sausage in a bun.

But now, there are much better quality frankfurts, artisan breads and all sorts of gourmet toppings on offer that make me look twice at a hot dog. One on my mind was the Japanese-influenced hot dogs at Chanoma Café in Regent Place, taking over where Azuma Patisserie was previously.

Matcha banana frappe at Chanoma Cafe, Regent Place, George Street, Sydney
Chanoma is positioned as a specialist matcha teahouse; purveyors of their own batch of Japanese green tea. The tea philosophy is somewhat overshadowed by some insane dessert creations of green tea soft serve and drinks like the sweet, if not artificial, Banana Matcha Frappe with optional whipped cream.

Chanoma Cheese Dog with German blutwurst sausage
Oddly enough, I was more interested in the hot dogs which come in several variations, each with the choice of three types of sausages – and not frankfurts at that. I’m told the most popular is the Slovenian kransky while there’s also a spicy Spanish chorizo and German ‘blutwurst’ with not blood but pork rind in the filling.

My Chanoma Cheese Dog with the blutwurst was certainly a cheesy affair, although one that turned plastic-y after not too long. The buns are not overly soft nor sweet; and perfectly sized for the sausage.

Spicy Meat Lover's Dog with a chorizo sausage
More meaty and exotic was the Spicy Meat Lover’s Dog, served with the selection of a chorizo sausage. The chorizo itself was really decent, but piled on with a spicy mince, mayonnaise and shallots may just have taken it over the top.

The hot dogs are well sized for a light meal although bigger appetites could easily polish off two of them.

Shaked fried with soy butter and seaweed
Probably my favourite part of the quick pre-cinema meal were the Shaker Fries, served shaken in a paper cup with a choice of shaker seasonings. The soy butter and seaweed was my irresistible choice, and what a winner.

The crisp fries were manageably buttery with dried seaweed flakes, and tasted exactly like soy-flavoured okaki rice cracker snacks. I'm not sure I'll ever be able to deviate from this flavour to try the other Shaker Fries.

It looks like the tides are turning on hot dogs - I really think so.

Chanoma Cafe on Urbanspoon

12 comments:

Tina @ bitemeshowme said...

I love anything matcha so I def need to hit up chanoma for their drinks!

Mr C @ The Food Diary said...

There's Japanese hot dogs and matcha lattes in Regent Place!?!?!?!? Holy crap I'm so visiting today for lunch :D

Vivian - vxdollface said...

Didnt like their hotdogs :( I had the teriyaki chicken one and it was soooooooo salty and didn't have the teriyaki sweetness to it.. Though I am keen on going back for their shaker fries

joey@forkingaroundsydney said...

I really like the dogs here, so cheap and good.

Milktea Eats said...

ive only been there for drinks but will defs return soon for those yummy llooking japadogs!

missklicious said...

The fries look good!

Annie said...

i remember stepping into Regent Place a couple of weeks ago. used to meet up with my mates a lot at the old Azuma cafe. feels like a much different place now. had no idea they serve hotdogs at Chanoma cafe!

Sara - Belly Rumbles said...

I have a love hate relationship with hot dogs. These look a bit of alright.

Tina said...

Hi Tina - Yes, there's green tea soft serve - win!

Hi Mr C - There's sure been a lot of change in Regent Place ;)

Hi Vivian - The fries were the best! I want to try the shrimp hot dog next time!

Hi joey - Will have to try a few more, I think.

Hi milkteaxx - Great for a pre-movie meal ;)

Hi missklicious - They were pretty much the best fries I've had; crisp and full of buttery soy flavour!

Hi Annie - A completed changed place, isn't it?

Hi Sara - Mine was more of a hate-hate one, but I think it's starting to thaw a little...

Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella said...

I also loved the shaker fries and the seafood dog! It's probably good that I don't live closeby or I'd be there every night!

Jennie said...

I tried the croquette dog, tonkatsu dog and chicken teriyaki one I think. I really liked the tonkatsu dog and the shaker fries with the soy butter were yummy but the seaweed wasn't as prominent? :(

the green tea float i had lacked so much depth. it was so average and pretty bitter so i had to add some brown syrup.. will just come back to try the other hotdogs! the pricing is so reasonable though.

btw love your blog :) please check out mine, I'm new to this! haha

matt @ planmb said...

haha I was surprised at how good the hotdogs and fries were there!

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