Cheap Eats – HiMaWaRi Tea Room

HiMaWaRi Tea Room
Shop 24-25, Elizabeth Arcade
99 Elizabeth Street, Brisbane
Phone (07) 3210 0784

As a newly employed graduate beancounter (in the late 90’s) I was always in the search for “value meals” and I’m not referring to the McDonald’s kind.

Tempura Udon

I am fortunate to live in a city populated by a lot of university students who are after the same “value” as me. Brisbane, unsurprisingly, has got a wide range eateries (apart from the prolific burger joints) that cater to the budget conscious demographic.

Yakisoba Omelette

Naturally, for an Asian like me, rice wins hands down over any other type of meal in the full satisfaction category. I used to dismiss non-rice meals as merely snacks and therefore insufficient. My exposure to other cuisines has changed this…slightly.

Yakisoba Omelette 2

HiMaWaRi Tea Room ticks all the right boxes in what I am looking for. Not only are they real value for money their food also have got that feel and taste of authenticity. Their mainly Japanese crew, both in and out of the kitchen, have got a lot to do with it. Meals are nicely presented in what look like traditional Japanese bowls and bento boxes.

Chicken Karaage

Our family favourites at HiMaWaRi include chicken karaage, tempura udon, yakisoba omelette and agedashi tofu (all of which they do really well). Mains start at $9. You now have an option to add $2 to your main meal for a side of noodles, chicken karaage or agedashi tofu.

Fresh Tomato & Mushroom Salad

HiMaWaRi is located at the Elizabeth Arcade (destination for cutting edge fashion and all sorts of Asian kitsch). They’re open Mondays to Saturdays from 11am.