Peko Peko

Even though for years I had been taking the ever faithful 200 or 203 bus (although these days I'm not so good to the environment and am driving everywhere...) past Smith Street, I'm glad that it's only recently I have become acquainted with the street. It always baffles me to hear that Smith Street used to be a not so hip and happening place, that there was nothing to eat here.

Gosh how times have changed! From the cafes, to the chocolate shops, to the soul food to the Japanese food...have I mentioned how much Brad and I love Japanese food? I think we've both made it our mission (or at least it's my mission and I'm dragging Brad everywhere with me), to try as many of the Japanese restaurants we come across as we can.

Sometime ago we had tried to get a table at Peko Peko on a Friday night, but they were unfortunately full, so the next time I decided to go, I made sure to call up first and make sure I could acquire a seat (or three, for my grandma and brother too).

Peko Peko is small space, quaint and simple with little bits of Japanese memorabilia to be spotted out here and there. I love the koi wallpaper over one section of the wall! The waitress herself is a bit of an attraction and almost doesn't really fit in the simple, low key look with her puffy shorts and harajuku-esque attire, hair two feet tall and very expressive and exaggerated make up.

I was very tempted to get a picture, but chickened out. Next time...maybe.

Hmmm! What do you think my brother Tim feels like eating today...?

How gorgeous are the teacups? I loved the ornate little details engraved on the side. Very pretty.

We somehow ended up having a massive tofu-fest, purely by coincidence, although it didn't help my brother ordered two main dishes for himself (he can eat like a horse. No joke.). He started with the tofu steak served on rice. I liked that the dressing on this was quite light, not the heavy handed stuff you get at lots of other Japanese restaurant, it all looked so fresh and springy.

My brother also insisted on having the spicy tofu soba soup noodles. The broth for this was just delicious, it had that little chilli bite (although not too overwhelming) which I love.

I had jumped excitedly when I saw Japanese curry on the menu. I had been inkling and craving (and whining at Brad) for it for ages. Having been completely over-dosed on meat from the Duckfest at Pan Asian the night before, I thought the tofu curry would be a lighter option than the beef curry.

I was tickled at how much colour they managed to infuse into the curry, it was green, it was red (capsicum, mmhmmm!), just lovely! And absolutely piping steaming hot, which was just perfect as it was raining away outside. The curry was lovely and saucy, an absolute sin when mixed up into the rice. Yuuuuum.

Grandma got the agedashi soba noodles, which I thought looked quite good...but she very quietly and consistently ate while I jabbered away at Tim and before I knew it, she had finished it all before I could try any!

Yeah. I don't know what I was thinking. I thought we could squeeze in some sushi still. Maybe I just wanted to save lunch from turning into a total tofu-fest. But I wasn't expecting giant size rolls! These chicken sushi were absolutely huge! Easily an inch and a half thick each! And to add to the bulk, absolutely filled with chicken, which was juicy and tender and delicious covered in...something. Couldn't quite pick why it was so addictive, but even though I was full....I kept eating. Naturally.

Next time I know I have to just come in and order one thing for myself at least...

Peko Peko was very enjoyable and clearly very popular as the small space started to fill up quite quickly, on a Thursday lunch. People were even coming in and waiting for pre-ordered takeaways! One thing that really did impress me with the food here, was how fresh and spritely it all looked, the vegetables were absolutely vivid in colour and had a nice fresh crunch to them, the sesame seeds always looked like they had been tossed on, just as the waitress picked them up to come to us, and of course, everything was steaming away happily (and fogging up my glasses) when presented on our table.

I always think I'm a pretty easy diner to please, but I do enjoy taking notes of those little details and it's often those little details that will bring me back to a place. Can you imagine those soba noodles in the heart of winter?! Mmmm....

Peko Peko

199 Smith St
Collingwood, 3065