Tanpopo Tea House

Everybody knows the big players in the Perth Japanese food scene – the swanky, tasty purse-snatchers like Matsuri and Tsunami, the ever-proliferating kaiten-zushi madness of Jaws, and the cheap, hearty city haunts such as Taka’s and Mr Samurai. What you may not be aware of is the well-priced wide range of Japanese favourites at Tanpopo Tea House, nestled in an arcade in Mt Lawley, opposite Planet Video and the Flying Scotsman. You can be sure that people who do know the place keep going back, both for the value and the taste.

With almost thirty widely varied dishes, you could eat at Tanpopo every day for a month and still be satisfied. Those with an eye for value might stick with the Vegetable Tempura Donburi, at only $6.15 with mountains of vegetables, rice, and salad, or the healthy Agedashi Tofu Set for $5.40 with flavoured takikomi rice and salad. The most popular item on the menu is the Double Meat Teriyaki Chicken Special, a bargain in a rice/salad set for $6.95 ($5.50 for the regular serving).

Saturday also sees specials on miso soup and korokke sets for those who want the authentic taste of Japan for a reasonable price.

Tanpopo

Where: 623 Beaufort St (in the arcade down from IGA)
Map: View Map
Phone: (08) 9328 8313
Licensed: No
BYO: Yes

Tanpopo is open Mon-Fri 9:30-7:00 and Sat 9:30-6:00. You can dine in (the decor’s not their strong point, but take in some wine and don’t worry about it) or take away – they take pickup orders too. The perfect place for a good, cheap lunch or an easy dinner in the Mt Lawley area.