Summary

Menu used at Kuni's Japanese Restaurant, Melbourne, during the 1980s. Kuni's Japanese restaurant was opened in 1977 by Japanese migrant Kunihiro Ichikawa, who arrived in Melbourne as a student in 1974. It has remained one of Melbourne's earliest and longest running Japanese restaurants and Kunihiro's continued involvement has overseen the maintenance of Japanese cultural traditions through its menu, cooking style, interior design and methods of food presentation and service.

Physical Description

Eight page A4 sized menu in plastic binder with clear cover, black pinch binding and black back cover. Front cover is red paper with Kuni's logo (circle containing three dots on a square block) and 'Kuni's Japanese Restaurant' printed in black. Inside pages on cream paper list a series of dishes in black and red print (set dinner, sushi a la carte, sushi and sashimi soups, tempura, vegetable dishes, seafood dishes, meat dishes, main dishes and noodles).

Significance

This collection represents one story within the important cultural and social narrative of the evolution of food and cooking traditions in Melbourne. These traditions have been particularly influenced over time by waves of migration and the gradually evolving sophistication of the local palate. These small businesses have also provided a significant way migrants have supported families and established themselves in the community.

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