29 November 2024

Five minutes with Nori and Hana Tsukatani, Sanpo Japanese Restaurant, Helensburgh

| Graeme Burrill
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Couple and daughter

Nori and Hana Tsukatani with daughter Mia. Photo: Graeme Burrill.

Who are you?
Nori and Hana Tsukatani.

Your Japanese restaurant in Helensburgh is called “Sanpo”; what does that mean in English?
Nori: It means taking a walk. We started our business in Rosebery, a big residential area in Sydney. It was within walking distance for everyone, local. Here in Helensburgh, I think this is our destiny; Sanpo means walk and we are on Walker Street!

What brought you to Australia?
Nori: I came to Australia nearly 20 years ago. I wasn’t liking my hospitality job in Japan and I tried to change it, and when I came here, I didn’t have too many choices, so started in this industry again. Now I enjoy it again!
Hana: I came here about 10 years ago to study English.


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Nori, upon arriving in Australia, what was your journey to then opening Sanpo?
I first had a job at a cafe in Kings Cross, then I got a job delivering vegetables in Chinatown. Afterwards I moved to the Fish Markets as a filleter with a fish supplier. This owner also owned Yuki’s Japanese restaurant at Circular Quay and was looking for a chef. I got a job at his restaurant and I went from chef to head chef in three years. At Yuki’s, it was great motivation for me and I was able to do many creative things. After Yuki’s I first started my own catering business.

How long were you at your restaurant in Rosebery before moving to Helensburgh, and why the move?
Nori: We were in Rosebery for seven years, but the biggest reason for the move was that Hana was pregnant and we needed to change the pace of our work. We looked to downsize; Rosebery was great but too busy and much bigger. We wanted to control the income and working time. Helensburgh is a good change, with a small community, slower pace of life and changing the hours to fit with our family.

Were there any other areas you looked to relocate?
Nori: We did – The Entrance, Forster, Port Stephens or Jervis Bay. Somewhere not too far from Sydney, but also not too close.

What ticked the boxes for Helensburgh?
Nori: It wasn’t too far, and the price was affordable. We started our business here in 2022.

What do you love about the area and people of the Illawarra?
Nori: They’re very friendly and very nice. We like to go bushwalking, the beach and fishing. Mia (our daughter) loves the beach.
Hana: It’s a small community and everyone knows everyone. It was a big difference, but it’s good. We know most customers as a friend or family, that’s good thing. In fine dining, customers would come maybe once a year or sometimes twice a year, that’d be the maximum. But at Sanpo Helensburgh and also at Rosebery, I think most of the regular customers come once a month, sometimes twice a week!

Nori, what do you like about cooking?
It’s good for me as a job. I don’t have many skills and an education, so it’s the best way for me to earn money for my family. As I mentioned, I didn’t like working in hospitality back in Japan so that’s why I moved to Australia. But I really like it now.

You were recently named the nation’s best Asian restaurant (regional) in the Restaurant and Catering Australia Awards for Excellence; what was your reaction?
Nori: We were surprised and very happy, more than happy!
Hana: I had no words! We were just hoping to get maybe bronze or silver, but we didn’t expect to get gold. We couldn’t believe what was happening! We’re just so happy.


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When someone comes to Sanpo for a meal, how do you hope they leave?
Nori: Happy and full, just simple. As I mentioned, I worked in fine dining and there’s too many decorations. First impressions are really good, but after eating it you’re not satisfied, including the value. Fine dining is fancy, whereas Sanpo is casual, but the food quality is higher. But for us, it’s eat and be happy. That’s all I want!

What are some of your more popular dishes?
Nori: We serve many teriyakis, tempura, and hot pots (cooking prepared meat and vegetables in a soup pot in the centre of your table). When I had the restaurant in Rosebery, the sushi and sashimi were more popular, but in this area, it’s changed. I think it depends on the culture. People still don’t know about the Japanese food fully.

I’ve seen a bento box on your socials, what’s that?
Nori: Bento is a Japanese word meaning lunch box, so it means an assorted lunchbox.

Sanpo is open from Thursday to Sunday, at 5/20 Walker Street, Helensburgh, phone 0460 790 576.

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