I’ve eaten twice at Wood Spoon Kitchen on Smith St now and it is one of my new favourites. It’s a small Japanese place with a diverse menu, with the specialty arguably being the most delicious onigiri in Melbourne. The one above is cheese and basil. The beef curry one is also amazing.

On my first visit I was without my camera, so I cannot show you the chicken and pumpkin curry and rice I had, but it was very flavoursome. I can show you the Goma soup (above and below) with prawn and pork dumplings (the dumplings are more like little meatballs as they have no dough casing). The soup is mildly spicy with a delicious sesame taste.

Tummy Rumbles has already published a positive review and many more are sure to follow. The interior is dominated by a large communal table, and you sit on solid wood blocks that have castor wheels underneath so they are easy to move.

Like Gigibaba a few doors down Wood Spoon Kitchen features naked light bulbs hanging from the ceiling. I like the minimalist interior, the green wall and the bare concrete floor. With Trippy Taco and Wabi Sabi Salon well established, the Collingwood side of the south end of Smith St is becoming more and more inviting as newcomers Gigibaba and Monsieur Truffe are also wonderful places.

Also within walking distance, Cibi in Collingwood and Kappaya in Abbotsford demonstrate the popularity of intimate and inexpensive Japanese cafes where the food and service are of a high standard and where you feel welcome every time to enter.