SOUTH PERTH.
The mere words will send your wallet scurrying behind the couch in fear.
But there are food bargains to be found in the suburb, and some of them are worth the short drive.
I’d heard good things about Chi Time, so I fired up the Chook jalopy and puttered up the Canning Highway to investigate.
Angelo Street in spring is very easy on the eye.
Boutique cafes and shops, jacaranda trees and the whiff of Chanel.
Old people. Everywhere. Most of them retired from never working.
About halfway up the strip, outside an upmarket Coles, you’ll find Chi Time.
Nestled in a pretty landscaped area with seating and leafy trees, it’s basically a grand hole-in-the-wall.
They had a decent range of sushi, including nigiri and maki, as well as sashimi, tobiko, rice paper rolls and seafood salad.
There were some hot dishes too, with all the classics covered, like teriyaki chicken don and katsu chicken.
Sitting in the courtyard, next to a man wearing Versace loafers and a Rodd & Gunn blazer, we got down to business.
The sashimi was superb value—15 thick slices of raw salmon for $11.
And it was top quality—white veins meandering across the glistening flesh. When combined with some soy sauce and a squirt of lemon, it was pure heaven.
The katsu chicken was just as impressive. The moist, lightly crumbed chicken had a delicious citrus tang.
A nice touch was the crunchy lettuce and shaved carrot.
It gave the dish a freshness and vibrancy—instead of just a rice and chook war of attrition.
The dish was elevated by the little tub of moreish sauce—a sweet and salty number that didn’t overpower things.
This bogan classic was very enjoyable and there were a lot of textures and flavours going on.
Across the table, my son was getting hoed into his large wheels of tuna and avocado sushi.
I managed to prise one from his grasp—very tasty and not drenched in mayo.
Just clean flavours and fresh ingredients. You don’t need the kitchen sink.
My only gripe: the wheels of rice felt a bit soft in my hand, on the verge of collapse, and I prefer them a bit firmer and tightly wound.
We rounded things off with a simple but refreshing classic—mini avocado sushi. Nice avo with no brown edges in sight.
The whole lunch cost me $44.10, which is great value for sashimi, a katsu chicken bowl and two helpings of sushi.
It would easily feed two people and the quality was high.
The staff were friendly and smiley throughout, and service was quick and efficient. A great South Perth pit stop.
Bellies full, vernal sun on the back of our necks, my son and I walked back to the Chook jalopy, hoping no one had towed the rust bucket away.
Chi Time
Unit 8/53 Angelo St, South Perth
ozfoodhunter.com.au/chi-time
by STEPHEN POLLOCK