Hotto Motto, Sydney CBD - NOW CLOSED

If you've ever been to Japan, you would recognise the super giant Japanese bento brand "Hotto Motto". They are the largest bento box eatery in Japan. They are known for their healthy rice in their bento boxes. They are now in Sydney, Australia!!

Hotto Motto is located in the galeries food court in the Sydney CBD. Their menu is quite simple with various bento boxes, salad sides, miso soup and drinks.  The prices range from $13-$15 and there are also premium bento boxes for $18. 

You should also know that all their bento boxes are made with Kinme Rice which is a rice with 10% less calories. Their miso soup ($3.50) is super premium and tasty with clams in the broth. The miso soup is a must order 

I decide to try the Hotto Motto Wagyu Sukiyaki Bento ($18). I really like this bento box because it has a lightly poached egg for dipping the wagyu sukiyaki into! The bento box is authentic with flavours like you would get in Japan.

In Sydney, Australia, we have a mix of korean run Japanese restaurants and adjustments for the Western palette. Once you try one of the Hotto Motto bentos, you'll find more authentic Japanese flavours. 

Wagyu Sukiyaki has a sweet and mildly spicy teriyaki sauce and is served with rice, mushroom, tofu, vegetables, potato noodle dumpling and pickled vegetables. The poached egg brings a nice difference to other bento boxes i've had in Australia.

I also order the premium makunouchi bento box which has a crumbed prawn, sukiyaki wagyu, unagi (eel) with rice, scrambled egg, creamy potato and tempura vegetables.  There's also a tasty potato noodle dumpling in this dish. 

This box has a nice mix of fried food (and textures) with the beef and eel. This dish has the greatest variety in the bento box as well. This is probably my preferred bento box as I like a bit of fried variety along with eel and the wagyu.

The side salads are $4 and make for a good side or a very tiny light lunch. I try the green salad with creamy mashed potatoes. This dish is best paired with creamy sesame dressing. I also tasted the salmon salad with is essentially salmon sashimi on a green salad.

On their drink menu, they have a refreshing, cold and slightly bitter green or oolong tea. They are not remotely sweet like the drinks we are used to in Sydney.

Takako-san orders the unagi bento ($15.80) for a quick bite to eat before her business meeting. We agree that we both like eel and apparently it's a stamina boosting food! Power on for the day.

Summary: Enjoy the authentic flavours from Japan! I'll have to come back to try the pork katsu curry and the chicken teriyaki. My favourite is the premium makunouchi bento box as it has the most variety. The premium boxes are probably more $$ than I would typically spend on an every day lunch however the other options are more within range.

Price: $13-18

Location: Lower level of the Galeries, 500 George St, Sydney

Opening Hours: 
Mon - Wed 9am to 6pm
Thurs - 9am to 8pm
Sat - 10am to 5pm
Sun - 11am to 4pm

Weekend Food Escapes dined as guests of Washoku lovers. All words, photos and opinions are my own.