Kappaya
The Kitchen Annex, The Abbotsford Convent
1 St Heliers St, Abbotsford Vic 3067
03 9416 0070
Google map
Kappaya is all about simple organic Japanese soul food. It is quietly tucked away in the convent and just next to Lentils as Anything. The menu is small and simple. The shoebox interior is narrow and dimly lighted. It will probably fit 12 people snugly. The outside will be a much nicer place to be in summer.
Kappaya
I ordered the Japanese breakfast. Gohan is brown rice with a variety of grains and sprouts. It is also served with a hot bowl of white miso soup which is organic soy milk base and a small serve of salad. The white miso soup is my favourite. It was light but with depth and a subtle sweetness.
Japanese breakfast
Mister ordered the chicken bento. No usual bento box in sight but served in on a plate. The chicken pieces were moist and the white sauce gave it the flavour that it needed. The tofu pate was a tad tasteless. Not sure what to think of it. It was just plain tofu? But I guess it is a very healthy version of a chicken bento! And also we are so used to the commercial bento boxes.
Kappaya bento chicken
The Mushipan is like a mini cupcake. It reminded me of the steamed Chinese sponge cake called Ma Lai Go. If there is such a thing as minimal flavour, this is it. It has a subtle sweetness and does not overpower the taste of green tea.
Mushipan
We also ordered Gemmai cha. It is actually green tea with roasted brown rice. We love it. It has a deep and rich nutty but very clean flavour. I could sip on this all day. It was accompanied by 2 pieces of caramel nuts that was absolutely moorish.
Gemmcai
Did I feel any zen-ness after this breakfast? Most likely not. Do I like this cafe? Actually Yes! But it isn’t one that I will visit often. Just occasionally when I need a change from the usual eggs benedict or mee siam.
What does soul food mean to you?
{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }
@jeroxie yummmmm it looks rustic and yummie
@Piggyeatalot it's pretty good….but some may find it bland.
Speaking of zen, I cannot produce a single sound from the shakuhachi today.
so un-zen.
Michelle recently posted..Of Singing and Shakuhachi
I love an occasional Japanese breakfast! Although I have to admit that I also love eggs benedict too! Lovely crockery!
Lorraine @NotQuiteNi recently posted..The Tea Room’s Fabulous Scone Recipe!
Oh, that Japanese breakfast looks divine! Even when I was in Japan, I don’t think I had a breakfast so delicious
(Actually, eating anpan for breakfast was pretty darn good 
)
Hannah recently posted..Ten Degrees Chocolate Dark Chocolate Chilli Fairytale
It looks like a cool place, I like the stoneware dishes and the little cupcake is pretty cute.
Patty Price recently posted..500 Cookies and A Castle
What an interesting cafe indeed!!!
Lisa (bakebikeblog) recently posted..Let’s talk random…
Was this the place that used to be on Johnston St near the train line?
Billy recently posted..Hien Vuong
I love this place, thanks for reviewing it. Simple and healthy.
I love Abbotsford Convent. Such a cool spot – wish we had something similar in Sydney. Tofu pate does sound rather bland but I do like the look of that mushipan. So cute!
Helen (grabyourfork) recently posted..Food Bloggers Dinner – taking over the kitchen at Bistro CBD
Everything looks delicious, thank you for sharing.
It looks great! A nice change from the usual breakfast offerings.
Jetsetting Joyce
Those rice cakes sure look good. Perfect with genmaicha.HYNV
Roti n Rice recently posted..Stuffed Oi Kimchi Cucumber Kimchi
Looks like an incredible feast- global trends are funny- this reminds me of a place in Seattle and yet it's across the globe. Love it, Penny!
The square rice looks cute and so does the cupcake. Ya, resembles our Ma Lai Ko!
It sounds like a very healthy breakfast. Even the mushipan sounds like it was healthy!
Agnes recently posted..Christmas in July pudding making workshop at The Langham
What a grand array of food. The rice cake was especially appealing to me. It all is a nice change of pace from standard breakfast fare. I hope you have a great day. Blessings…Mary
Mary recently posted..Curried Egg Salad
that is an interesting breakfast…..it is nice to see how others around the world eat thanks for sharing this glimpse into Japanese culture!
Chef Dennis recently posted..Zucchini Pops and Steak Scampi
mmm, this place looks nice – i wish i could visit! lovely photos!
Brie recently posted..Foodbuzz 24×24- Gulf Seafood Beachside
Ah I really am so sad these guys stopped making their ongiri balls when they moved into the Convent! Didn’t realise they did breakfast though, looks pretty good!
Ashley Ng recently posted..Sydney – Mumu Grill and an audience with ATFT!
{ 1 trackback }