If you’re a fan of Japanese food or the renowned animation film studio, Studio Ghibli, Mile End’s Yuna Cafe is where everyday Japanese dishes are turned on their head with playful creativity and a love for detail. Now, this unique local spot is stepping things up with the launch of weekend night openings dedicated to ramen, udon, and sake.
Yuna is not just your ordinary cafe. Sure, on the menu you’ll find Japanese favourites like ramen and sandos, but the team often breaks the rules and brings their imagination to dishes like matcha brulee toast and okonomiyaki waffles. They’ve made a name for themselves in Adelaide’s growing matcha scene, whisking it by hand the traditional way and introducing elevated drinks like the cloud-like matcha foam latte and Mont Blanc matcha creation. Amongst all the craziness, their specialty coffee game remains strong too, making sure there’s always something unique or classic to enjoy.
What really sets Yuna apart is its monthly Miyazaki theme, which has been running throughout the year. Inspired by the iconic Japanese animator and co-founder of Studio Ghibli, Hayao Miyazaki, the cafe has taken on-screen food moments and turned them into real-life dishes. Anyone who’s watched Spirited Away or My Neighbour Totoro knows Studio Ghibli’s magic lies as much in its food scenes as its storytelling. Yuna has captured this vibe, bringing fans a taste of nostalgia with every meal.
While September marked the final month of official Miyazaki themes for now, the most popular dishes will live on in Yuna’s new dinner trade. Starting now, Yuna will open Friday to Sunday evenings, from 5:30pm to 9:30pm, serving up their staple ramens, which have been named by many as some of the best in Adelaide, as well as udon in different styles and teishoku sets, which are traditional rice meals with miso soup and house-made pickles. To complete the experience, there’s also a rotating selection of sake.
According to the team, opening at night has been one of their most frequent customer requests. Their themed ramen nights have always drawn big crowds, and with the demand only growing, it made sense to make weekends a permanent fixture. “We’ve had people asking and even DM us to see when we’ll do it again,” shared Mia from the team.
Mia says that authenticity is key at Yuna. The ramen broth is cooked from scratch, the teishoku is the same kind of meal served in Japanese households, and the menu goes far beyond sushi to share the diversity of Japanese food culture. And, much like Miyazaki’s films, they’ve incorporated that warm, comforting feeling into everything they do.
Yuna is also open 7:30am to 3pm weekdays, and now with the extended dining on weekends, Yuna is continuing to make a name for itself as a go-to spot for Japanese food and culture in the western suburbs.
Yuna Cafe
When: 7:30am to 3pm weekdays and 8am to 2pm, 5:30pm to 9:30pm weekends.
Where: Shop 7/34 Henley Beach Rd, Mile End, Adelaide, South Australia 5031
For more information, click here.
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