The words “charcoal chicken, sesame yoghurt” don’t really scream izakaya, but this is Cho Cho San, that charcoal is binchotan and the chicken in question – flesh juicy, skin crackled – is rounded out with pickled ginger and splashes of soy. Sit at the concrete bar with a mix of inner-city types and locals, a glass of sake in one hand, tempura miso-eggplant sticks in the other and a king crab omelette with Japanese curry standing by, and it all starts to feel very Aoyama. This is Potts Point, though, so the omelette, with a modest drizzle of sauce and crisp edges, is neatly made for sharing and blond wood tables, and the kingfish collars, glazed liberally with teriyaki, come with a warning (and hand towels for the mess). A white-leaning wine list backs up the Japanese beer-whisky-sake triumvirate. Fast and friendly, smooth and stylish, Cho Cho San is in a fine groove, at its best shared around with plenty of drinks. Matcha soft-serve optional.
This review was made independently for the Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Guide. The guide’s reviewers visit unannounced and pay their way.
Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Guide
Food: ★
Wine: ★
Gourmet Traveller’s star-ratings, which range from zero to three stars, reflect reviewers’ first-hand experiences. The best-rated restaurants form our national Top 100. Our wine ratings, from zero to three stars, are made by wine editor Max Allen on the strength of the quality of the restaurant’s wine list. View our rating key here.
