Hundreds of eager diners are forming enormous queues stretching around the block at Sydney's newest culinary hotspot, with wait times reaching up to two hours for a taste of authentic Japanese gyukatsu.
Japanese Dining Sensation Arrives in Australia
Gyukatsu Kyoto Katsugyu, a wildly popular restaurant chain from Japan, has launched its first Australian location, bringing its famous deep-fried beef cutlets to Sydney food lovers. The establishment opened its doors for the first time on Saturday, November 29, and has been overwhelmed with customers ever since.
The restaurant specialises in premium beef cuts including marble wagyu and sirloin, all coated in a crispy panko crust and served medium rare. What makes the experience unique is that each customer receives a piping hot stone at their table to sear the meat to their exact preference.
The Ultimate Gyukatsu Experience
Each set meal comes with cabbage, rice and an impressive array of condiments for dipping. The selection includes citrus sauce with Japanese radish, dashi curry, fresh wasabi, miso, a soft-boiled egg, soy sauce, sansho pepper salt and the signature Gyukatsu sauce.
Sydney food content creator Adrian Widjonarko shared the exciting news about the opening, describing it as "Japan's most popular katsu spot" opening "their biggest store in the world at the heart of Sydney".
Adrian explained the cooking process: "The beef cutlets are crumbed and then placed into a frying conveyor machine to ensure they are cooked perfectly and consistently." He particularly recommended the Australian wagyu set, describing it as "super tender with amazing marbling".
Overwhelming Public Response
The public reaction has been nothing short of phenomenal, with customers reporting massive crowds regardless of the time of day or night they visit. One customer told Daily Mail: "We went on grand opening day, but the line was insanely long, it curved around the corner. We turned around instantly - it was crazy. Might wait for the hype to die down in a couple of months."
Aussies who have experienced the restaurant in Japan expressed their excitement about the Sydney opening. "OMG this is my favourite food to eat in Japan, as soon as I get to Osaka I always go straight to their store," one shared, while another commented: "So exciting, I loved this restaurant in Japan."
Many local food enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating their visit, with comments ranging from "Another wish list for Sydney. I can't wait to go" to "Christmas literally came early," accompanied by crying emojis.
The unprecedented queues and overwhelming response demonstrate Sydney's appetite for authentic international dining experiences, particularly when it involves premium ingredients and interactive cooking methods that allow diners to customise their meal to perfection.
