Local favourite North Bondi Fish will hibernate for the winter, making way for an exciting new concept – North Bondi Nami. The casual seaside eatery and bar, located at the top of North Bondi’s grassy knoll takes its inspiration from izakayas of Japan, bringing the bustling energy of Tokyo to Bondi for the winter.
North Bondi Nami (nami translates to “wave” in Japanese) will pop up from 18 June, with North Bondi Fish returning in the spring. Serving warming dishes such as bowls of ramen and shared plates of gyoza alongside a vibrant cocktail menu with Japanese-inspired flavours that put a spin on the classics. Never a venue to shy away from a good time, the party atmosphere will remain, through a lively Wamono music program curated by Solotel’s Ed Loveday, plus live DJ sets each weekend.
Under the guidance of Matt Moran and head chef James Green, North Bondi Nami will showcase Japanese flavours and dishes with the same ethos as North Bondi Fish, using best-in-class produce from some of Australia’s greatest producers. The menu is perfect for either dropping by mid-week or settling in with friends over a shared feast.
Of North Bondi Nami, Moran said: “It’s been exciting and a lot of fun designing a whole new take on this space. I’ve lived in the area for 15 years, and always pined for more great options to eat out locally in winter when you’re craving something a little more comforting. One of the most challenging things was fitting everything we’ve been experimenting with, inspired by many winter trips to Japan, onto the menu. So expect some specials to turn up over the next few months. I can’t tell you how excited I am to be able to pop down to North Bondi Nami for a bowl of noodles all winter.”
Highlights from the menu include: egg sando with nori, sesame and kewpie; assorted made-to-order temaki; ora king salmon with chickpea miso marmalade, kale and kohlrabi; shellfish ramen with bug, bean sprout and chilli oil; Tonkotsu ramen with Berkshire pork belly; and for dessert, a matcha choux or a strawberry and cream sando. On the weekends, North Bondi Nami will serve group banquets that showcase the best of the menu, with options to add on paired cocktails, sake and wine.
The spacious dining room with showstopping views across Bondi Beach will be revitalised with tatami screens, Japanese art and lighting, creating the perfect warm and laid-back atmosphere for slurping noodles.
The driving force behind the change was the local community. “Our locals have always been such a big part of what has made North Bondi Fish great, and at the centre of every decision we make,” says Solotel CEO Elliot Solomon. “We’ve been thinking about how we can do more for the community here in winter for a few years now, and once we started talking about a Japanese transformation, we knew that was right. Seeing and tasting what the team has come up with has been really exciting. The concept is loosely based on the Japanese beach huts that pop up over the summer. This is us almost reversing that, bringing a warmer take to our beach for the winter.”
Cocktails have always been a hallmark of the North Bondi Fish experience and North Bondi Nami will be no different. The venue’s cocktail menu has been designed taking inspiration from ingredients often featured in Japanese cuisine such as wasabi, kombu and shiso. Premium and large format Japanese sake, shōchū and umeshu will feature on the menu, alongside an accessible wine list that heroes Australian producers, and international classic pours to round out the drinks menu.
The music program will be led by Solotel’s Ed Loveday. “Great music has always been a big part of North Bondi Fish and this has been a huge focus of our planning for North Bondi Nami. The music style is Wamono, which loosely translates to Japanese vintage music – disco, funk, boogie, soul & jazz from the 1960s–80s. We’ll have DJs every weekend from lunch through to close, as a tribute to the sense of fun we’ve long associated with nights out in Japan where the energy is unparalleled,” said Loveday.
Operating Wednesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner, North Bondi Nami will open to the public on 18 June. North Bondi Fish will trade as normal until 6 June, returning in spring 2021. Bookings available via www.northbondinami.com.au
North Bondi Nami
120 Ramsgate Ave, North Bondi NSW 2026
02 9130 2155
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Image credit: Steven Woodburn
North Bondi Nami rolls in for the winter, transforming North Bondi Fish into a Japanese-inspired seaside pop-up eatery and bar
