Cafes

Ken's Kissa

A 22-seat kitchen run by Eleni & Yassine, serving the dishes their grandmothers argued about on Tuesday nights in Kreuzberg.

67 Military Rd, Neutral Bay NSW 2089, Australia $20–40
4.8
543 notes from regulars
01 The story, in three paragraphs

Why everyone keeps coming back.

Welcome to Ken's Kissa, a delightful cafe tucked away at 67 Military Rd, Neutral Bay, NSW, that transcends the conventional cafe experience. This charming establishment offers a captivating journey into Japanese cuisine, welcoming you into a cozy yet energetic atmosphere that feels both comforting and unique.

At Ken's Kissa, every meal is crafted with careful attention to detail and a passion for flavor. The menu boasts an eclectic range of options, ensuring there is something to satisfy every palate. Indulge in their mouth-watering sandwiches like the Home Marinated Chicken and the Chicken Katsu, both priced at A$14.50, perfect for a light yet satisfying lunch. For those craving a more traditional experience, the Don selection serves up authentic Japanese dishes such as the perfectly crispy Karaage Chicken (A$16.00) and the rich, flavorsome Teriyaki Salmon (A$19.00), both guaranteed to make your taste buds dance with delight.

As you sip on a refreshing squeezed juice—be it zesty orange or invigorating ginger—you’ll be immersed in the ambiance here, where every element seems thoughtfully curated. Table numbers inspired by Japanese prefectures add a special touch, embodying the cafe's spirit and attention to detail.

Real customer experiences highlight Ken's Kissa's commitment to excellence. Angela Chuang emphasizes how the food is “wonderfully crafted” and mentions their standout ochazuke, a dish that embodies comfort and flavor cohesion. Jereme Lee's enthusiasm for the hitsumabushi showcases the harmonious blend of sweet and salty, all while praising the buttery eel’s melt-in-your-mouth quality. William Lin cannot forget his unforgettable salmon appetizer, longing for a return visit to experience that “perfectly balanced” flavor once more.

While Junie Ha appreciates the authenticity and budget-friendly offerings, she also highlights the cafe's friendly service, emphasizing the staff's attentiveness. John Heng draws attention to the cafe's fresh and delicious food, specifically recommending the delectable onigiri balls and surprisingly delightful pastries—a hidden gem in this quaint spot.

Whether you’re a local or passing through Neutral Bay, Ken's Kissa is a must-visit destination that promises to tantalize your taste buds and provide a cozy retreat. Step into a world of remarkable flavors and heartfelt service, and you just might leave with a lasting memory—and a desire to return.

03 Notes from regulars

543 notes — the real pulse of the room.

4.8
Based on 543 verified notes
5 504
4 53
3 9
2 6
1 10
All Onigiri Outdoor Seating Ochazuke Karaage Chicken Bento Hitsumabushi Matcha Roll Cake Wagyu Set Friendly Staff Dashi Broth Unagi Don
Angela Chuang.
7 month ago
This place transcends its label as a mere “cafe” — the food we ate today was wonderfully crafted and the taste was out of this world. The vibes were comforting but also very unique — the table numbers being Japanese prefectures is such a neat idea! We especially enjoyed the ochazuke — every simple element of the dish coming together was mindblowing, and it comforted our bodies deep down into our souls. Ken-san was very nice as well! We’re definitely coming back and can’t wait to try their other dishes.
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Jereme Lee.
7 month ago
Tasty, fresh, and well made Japanese food with great service. We went here around a month ago and had a pleasant experience. We got the hitsumabushi ($39.50). It was a little pricey but the meal was great. The eel was soft, buttery and coated in a nice sweet/salty glaze. All sides which came with the meal, complemented the eel well. 4.5-5/5. My favourite dish was the kaarage nanban ($23.50). The chicken was tender and juicy, while maintaining a decent crisp coating. The vinegar glaze had a nice tanginess to it, and the tartare sauce was creamy. All together, it provided a very flavourful experience. The sides were also great. 5/5. We also ordered the hot salmon ochazuke ($27). This dish was pretty good. The salmon pieces were tender, the toasted rice crackers provided a nice nutty flavour and crunchy texture, and the vegetables were fresh. This was bonded well together with the rice and the ginger dashi broth, which was savoury and peppery. 4-4.5/5. We also got the teriyaki salmon ($20.50). There was nothing special to write about it, but it was well made. The salmon pieces were soft, and coated in a respectable sweet/salty glaze. 4/5. Service was also very friendly and helpful. Weekends are very busy here. We had to wait for a table for a bit under an hour. Overall, well made Japanese food which was consistent.
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William lin.
7 month ago
Absolutely incredible salmon appetizer — hands down the best I’ve ever had! The flavors and textures were perfectly balanced, and I honestly wish I could give it 6 stars instead of 5. I didn’t catch the name of the dish, but it was beautifully presented and unforgettable. I’m just a traveler passing through Sydney, but I sincerely hope to come back and enjoy this amazing dish again someday.
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Junie Ha.
7 month ago
This place has authentic, delicious, and budget-friendly Japanese food. The food is flavoured perfectly and well-decorated. I can’t say enough about their food honestly the best! I had hot/iced matcha latte here, the hot matcha was good but the iced matcha was bland and I barely tasted the matcha flavour. The customer service is friendly, lovely and attentive. I love how the chef goes outside to check on the food quality. The shop is small and cozy, so I recommend to come early if you want a spot and avoid waiting. They also sell onigiri, cakes, and sandwiches if you want to grab a quick breakfast and lunch.
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John Heng.
7 month ago
The food is fresh and delicious, and the onigiri balls are a must try. I also loved their matcha muffin, not too sweet. The pastries are surprisingly good for such a small spot. The staff are very friendly and helpful, and the service is quick. Perfect place for a bite or a light snack.
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Micka.
8 month ago
One of the best Japanese restaurants in the district! Fresh food, very tasty. Friendly and caring staff. Will come back for sure.
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Reina H.
8 month ago
This cozy Japanese-run restaurant has around 30 seats, including indoor and outdoor areas. The team of 8–10 staff work efficiently between the kitchen and tables, speaking Japanese, which adds to the authentic atmosphere — it truly feels like being in Japan. We arrived around noon and had to wait for an hour as there were 10 groups ahead of us. Given the limited seating and that food is freshly made to order, the wait time during peak hours is at least 1 hour. Thankfully, they have a clear sign at the entrance to manage expectations. The drinks are excellent — I really enjoyed the hojicha latte, slightly sweet and very comforting. Despite being made fresh, our food arrived within 10–15 minutes, likely because hot pot udon and bento are relatively quick to prepare. The hot pot udon was perfect for winter — it stayed hot right until the end. We didn’t linger after finishing since there was a long queue outside, but I enjoyed the overall Japanese vibe. I’d love to come earlier next time to try their Japanese all-day breakfast or other signature dishes!
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Kanae Y.
9 month ago
We visited as a pair, and the food was absolutely delicious! The portions were very generous—so much that we couldn’t finish all the rice. My apologies for that. Still, the presentation, taste, and service were all excellent. The only reason I gave one point less is because of the location—it’s right in front of the busy Military Road—and the shop itself is quite small, so the atmosphere is a little affected. But of course, that’s not the restaurant’s fault. I will definitely come back again By the way , coffee was great too!
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04 When to visit & how to find us

Hours & the door on Bergmannstraße.

Opening hours
Monday (today) 08:00 AM - 03:00 PM
Tuesday 08:00 AM - 03:00 PM
Wednesday 08:00 AM - 03:00 PM
Thursday 08:00 AM - 03:00 PM
Friday 08:00 AM - 03:00 PM
Saturday 08:00 AM - 03:00 PM
Sunday Closed
Finding the door

67 Military Rd, Neutral Bay NSW 2089, Australia

05 What makes this place friendly

The details you usually have to call and ask.

Service options
  • Outdoor seating
  • Onsite services
  • Takeout
  • Dine-in
  • No Delivery
Highlights
  • Great coffee
Popular for
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Solo dining
Offerings
  • Coffee
  • Healthy options
  • Quick bite
  • Small plates
  • Vegetarian options
Dining options
  • Breakfast
  • Brunch
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Dessert
  • Seating
  • Table service
Amenities
  • Restroom
Atmosphere
  • Casual
  • Cozy
  • Trendy
Payments
  • Credit cards
  • Debit cards
  • NFC mobile payments
Children
  • Good for kids
Parking
  • Free street parking
  • Parking
Pets
  • Dogs allowed outside
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