It had to happen at Mappen

Excitement was an understatement with the thought of combining my love of brunch and Japanese cuisine. As the cold weather settles in marking the approach of winter, a bowl of hot noodles is pretty enticing as a first meal of the day. Add a half boiled egg and that constitutes as brunch right?


First of it's kind in Sydney, Mappen is a self service Japanese noodle bar. You line up, get your food, pay, eat and then return your tray - simple. It has a retro Japanese interior with laminated specials all over the windows and heavy wooden tables and chairs spread around for communal eating.


Mappen serves authentic Japanese udon and soba noodles with either tonkatsu, kake or bukkake sauce and a variety of toppings and sides (see menu). The queue for self service usually snakes around outside but being there at opening time saved that wait. 

Green tea slushie $3.30

It's quite an experience as you queue and slowly move down the line... To start, you can choose a drink from the fridge or the specials. They had homemade apple cider ($1.90) or green tea slushie ($3.30), you can really taste the green tea flavour in the slushie.


Grab a black tray and place your order with the cook. You can watch them make your noodles and if requested they crack in a half boiled egg (ontama) or two and get you to move along.

Bukkake ontama mentaiko, regular $6.40

At this stage you can move straight down the line to the cashier but you need to walk past a lineup of deep fried sides that include chicken karaage, prawn and fish tempura, different types of vegetables tempura and pork sausage tempura.

Pumpkin kakiage tempura $2.50

The deep fried sides are described as the naughty food for younger people and I was told this pumpkin kakiage tempura is a popular choice. Crunchy and flavoursome, it was a great addition to my noodles.

Takoyaki $3.00

Other sides included dumplings, potato salad, vegetable skewers and takoyaki. If you were able to resist these, the next temptation is the assorted toppings and desserts.

One spoonful per person only!

At the end of the line, you can help yourself to free tempura sauce and a spoonful (only one!) of chopped shallot and tempura flakes.

Bukkake ontama mentaiko, regular $6.40 + toppings $1.80

This whole exercise created some pretty looking dishes. I had the udon noodles with bukkake, half boiled egg and chilli cod roe butter plus some wakame and white radish toppings. The bukkake soup is a bit thicker and flavoursome.

Mt. Beef Soba, large $11.40 + toppings $1.80

A current special is the Mt. Beef Soba. Yes, it is a mountain of tasty stewed beef on soba noodles which you can drown with dipping sauce. The extra topping of corn added a nice texture and the pickled cabbage even more flavour.

Washoku lovers members set $9.90

If you don't want all the fuss of self sevice, you could skip all of this and get this mini kake udon, ontama bukkake soba, japanese curry, salad and a drink for $9.90 with your free Washoku lovers membership.

White daifuku (sticky rice cake) $1.50

The self service concept keeps prices low so you can keep it simple and cheap or pile up with sides and toppings for a litle bit extra. The standard price of $3.90 is actually a way of the owner saying thank you for visiting. If you say 3 (san) and 9 (kyu), it sounds like "Thank you" with an accent - true fact!

Dined as guests of Mappen and Washoku Lovers with the lovely Yuri as host.

In a nutshell  Breakfast  Food ●● Service ●● Price $ Atmosphere

♥ From 11.30am, everyday  Authentic Japanese Friendly, fast food Regular noodle kake or bukkake $3.90 Cool retro Japanese, really busy at peak times.

Menya Mappen - 11/537-551 George St, Sydney
http://mappen.com.au/


BRUNCH♥NJOY instagram
BRUNCH♥NJOY facebook
BRUNCH♥NJOY email

Have you seen all the eateries that line the street opposite Dee Why beach? Luckily SeaChange was recommended to me as I would've walked straight past it. Tucked between Sea Bar and WockInn this little beachside cafe has good food, generous servings, a great atmosphere and best of all - all day breakfast.

Dee Why beach, taken while waiting in the "queue"

There's always a queue here on weekends but you wouldn't know it. Instead of waiting in a line outside, they take your number and call you when a table is ready. It's perfect so you can go for a walk to the rock pool or wait by the beach and watch the surfers.


It's a busy little cafe with a tiny kitchen but that doesn't stop the food being served fresh and timely. The coffee is a little weak in flavour and aroma but depending on the day, you might get some clever latte art. Freshly squeezed juices ($7.20) and acai drink ($8.60) are also available amongst the many options for cold and hot drinks.

Californian half size $16.90

When asked about the most popular dish, the waiter said the Californian. Good thing she suggest half size as it was a pretty generous serving. The grilled salmon was tender and flaky and the housemade potato rosti, deliciously floury fluffy.

The local $18.90

Here the local is served with turkish bread and poached eggs all piled onto a plate of tomato, crispy bacon, a chicken sausage and that potato rosti. The real challenge was how to eat it without spilling it.

Veg out $17.90

If you're after a vegetarian option, get the Veg out. The kumara and corn cous cous cake was moist (oh I hate that word) and so tasty with fresh avocado, poached eggs, tomato, rocket and a sprinkle of pumpkin seeds.

Fisherman's omelette $18.20

If you like omelettes, there are five different choices. The fisherman's omelette has fresh salmon, red onion, capers and potatoes folded through eggs and swiss cheese.  It's baked so it has a nice thin crispy crunch and oozing with swiss cheese.

Sea Change $19.20

You can also get eggs benedict with their housemade hollandaise that you really can't fault. Named after the cafe, the salmon version had tender, flaky grilled salmon. Other options included the Dee Why sunrise with smoked bacon, Green sea with spinach or Ham benedict with ham.

Dee Why sunrise $17.90

If you are after some healthier, lighter options you can get toast or the housemade muesli and yogurt to name a few. They do cater for your needs and offer a selection of toasts including gluten free (extra $1), eggs your way and you can even take your leftovers home. 


SeaChange has been around since 2002 and no doubt will stay popular. I love it's simplicity and humbleness. If you're not a local, it's worth the trip to the northern beaches particularly in the warmer months so you can go for a dip at the beach too.

In a nutshell  Breakfast Coffee ●● Food ●● Service ●● Price $$($) Atmosphere

♥♥♥ All day, everyday $3.80 (regular), momenti coffee  Cafe modern Australian Friendly, fast food Turkish toast $5.60 Relaxed, no fuss, child friendly. Suits all

SeaChange Cafe - 3/20 The Strand, Dee Why
http://www.seachangecafe.com.au/


BRUNCH♥NJOY instagram
BRUNCH♥NJOY facebook
BRUNCH♥NJOY email

Skip the busy strip of Surry Hills and look for this corner cafe that borderlines Redfern. Understated from the outside, you'll be hypnotised by its charm and allure inside and satisfied with the good honest house made food and drinks.

After three years on the brunch scene you can still expect weekend queues - a sure sign of it's popularity. The breakfast menu is all day, everyday. The one page menu starts with eggs your way on toast ($10.50) where you can add sides or you can choose from the seasonal options or the regulars that includes pumpkin and corn fritters, eggs benedicts, smashed avocado and french toast. 

Omelette and toast $17

All omelettes should look like this - fluffy, fat and cheesy. When I ordered the omelette it was filled with smoked salmon, feta and tomato. Nice combination and it was very well seasoned. Don't forget their house made tomato relish, it's delicious.

Eggs gypsy smoked ham bennie $17

The eggs benedict - I have to say it's amongst one of the best in Sydney. The hollandaise was tasty and this version had a thick slice of gypsy smoked ham which added a delicious depth of flavour. You can also get smoked salmon or spinach instead of the smoked ham.

Pumpkin and sweet corn fritters $16

The pumpkin and sweet corn fritters have been on their menu since day one and there's a reason why. It must be their secret recipe because it rivals Bills famous corn fritters and to top it off, there's a poached egg and that hollandaise sauce.

Iced coffee $5

St Jude has specialty drinks that are made in house which are a treat. I love the refreshing house made ginger beer ($4.50) that comes with a slice of cucumber and lemon. Iced coffee ($5.00) are perfect on a hot summer's day and the strong aroma of the coffee is ready to knock any coffee addict's socks off.

Moroccan mint hot tea $4.50

The hot teas are the real deal made on the spot. The Morrocan mint tea arrives super hot in a tall glass. It smells amazing as the hot sugary (honey?) mix is infused with a cinnamon stick, star anise, mint and a slice of lemon.


If the food doesn't entice you, the house made drinks will or just the coffee and treats. If not, don't let those creepy knick knack collection of religious artifacts and dolls on the top shelf scare you away :).

In a nutshell  Breakfast Coffee ●●● Food ●● Service ●● Price $$ Atmosphere

♥♥ All day, everyday $3.50 (regular)  Cafe Australian, Mediterranean inspired Good food service, hit and miss with staff Toast & jam $6.00 Relaxed, unpretentious and comfortable. Suits all

St Jude - 728 Bourke St, Redfern
https://www.facebook.com/StJudeCafe


BRUNCH♥NJOY instagram
BRUNCH♥NJOY facebook
BRUNCH♥NJOY email

As an introvert, I need my quiet time to get away from a world that just can't stop talking. My quiet time though does usually revolve around good coffee and food at a favourite spot. One of those favourite spots is here at Anvil Coffee Co in Kirribilli.  

Hidden away at Kirribilli wharf on the water, it was built by the owners out of second hand timber. The imperfections here make it perfect. Large rusting windows show off the million dollar Sydney water views and the old shanty feel makes it warm and welcoming.


They have a very short all day menu comprising of something sweet, something savoury, bircher muesli, smithie roll and buttered Arabian eggs. You think that would make your choice easy but then throw in the after 11am house cheeseburger and the antonio to the mix and I wouldn't be surprised if you want to order it all!

Something savoury $14 extra egg $3

Not much of a sweet tooth, I tried Something Savoury with an extra poached egg. The delicious smashed peas, broad beans and leek balances out the savoury chorizo hidden underneath a pile of watercress, fresh bitey parsley and pecorino cheese.

Buttered Arabian eggs $16

My favourite dish is this delicious buttery goodness. Everything tastes better with butter but mixing it with sweet onion jam, greek yogurt and runny yolk was a melt in the mouth experience and the chilli flakes gave it a nice little subtle hit. A must try!

Smithie Roll $14

The Smithie roll is a very modern intepretation of the the traditional bacon and egg roll.  Replacing the bacon you have fresh ham and the egg is poached for extra oozy factor.  A tangy coleslaw replaces the tomato/bbq sauce and a sweet onion jam replaces what ever it does. So good. So messy.

House cheeseburger $14

Cheeseburger for breakfast? If you've waited until 11am and starving, yes please! Melted cheddar cheese on a thick beef pattie, house relish, onion jam and American mustard. Hope this picture does it justice.

Skim Cappucino $3.50

Anvil Coffee Co knows how to pour a good cup of coffee using their own version of beans. It has a short sharp bitter edge that disappears as a thick creamy feel takes over. If you like tea, you won't get your normal tea here but a special selection of black, green and herbal from Tea Craft.

Masala Chai $6

This place is tiny so weekend queues are a guarantee. Luckily they do have an all day menu or you could try their second cafe in Artarmon with more food options minus the spectacular view. This place is more suited for singles, couples and small groups.


So this is where I hide, now you know where to find me (uh oh!).

In a nutshell Breakfast Coffee ●●●  Food ●● Service ●●  Price $$($) Atmosphere

♥♥ All day until 3pm $3.50 (regular), Fat Poppy Specialty Fresh modern Australian  Friendly, sometimes can be slow  Min. Bircher muesli $11 Casual, Ideal for singles and couples

Anvil Coffee Co, Kirribilli - Kirribilli Commuter Wharf Holbrook Ave, Kirribilli
http://www.anvilcc.com.au/