Wafu

Ah. Wafu.
So I’d heard about Wafu, and then I was heard it was closing the weekend I was in Sydney. Fortunately it turns out my friends are members so I was able to get a «reservation». Inverted commas because when I said this, I received a fifteen minute lecture that she doesn’t take reservations. And that was after thirty minutes of not being acknowledged.
It’s hard to rate a place like Wafu, five for the experience, one for what you feel the whole time whilst there and anywhere between a three to five for the food itself and … I don’t even know what for the «entertainment» you get.
Even though a lot of the principles of this place are aligned with my own personal beliefs, I won’t lie — I felt on edge the whole time. The extreme nature of things also makes it a little hard to take seriously without become condescending.
In good news, the food was good. But, how good? Because my friend finished my leftovers the next day and asked where I went for dinner because it wasn’t all that great.

I didn’t like Wafu after my first visit, but after 3 visits, I’ve become a big fan.
Yes, the owner is unusual/​crazy and yes, the «rules» there are a bit odd. But having said that, if you are willing to play by the rules, the payoff is delicious, healthy, food that’s quite reasonably priced for Sydney. I must add that the owner, despite her over-​zealousness, is completely passionate about the good cause of treading lightly on the earth (even if she does approach it a bit forcefully)
The Good:
Wakeme & Avocado Salad (incredible)
Agedashi Tofu
Rolled Sushi
Miso (my favorite in Sydney)
Raw cacao chocolate bars :)
The Bad:
Have to be a member (except on Mondays)
Have to clean your plate (unless you bring your own takeaway dishes)
The owner’s militant style
Overall:
Worth a shot if you’re flexible enough to play by the rules. Monday nights are strictly vegetarian but they are open to new non-​members to try it out. Call ahead for a table and be sure to bring a container for leftovers!

I’m not in the Wafu club, but I know people who are, so I have eaten there once. This was only after the club members asked for special permission to bring along extras. Although the «newbies» endured a 15 minute lecture shortly after ordering, at least we didn’t get kicked out.
The basics: Wafu only serves people who are already «members», and don’t you dare ask for membership. Also, you MUST finish everything on your plate. That means every single grain of rice, and every mL of soy sauce. (The «finishing everything» rule has never bothered me, as I’ve had it drummed into me since childhood that I have to finish everything on my plate.)
Wafu is the brainchild of an eccentric Japanese lady who works alone (cooking for and serving one table at a time). One thing you’ve got to admire: she’s got principles.
Like Liam B, I really wanted to give this place a generous review — I love the fact that inner Sydney has a restaurant as eccentric and principled as this — and the food WAS lovely, fresh and healthy tasting (though perhaps not as amazing as I had hoped it would be).
But … oh my, I was on edge the whole time. I was so stressed out!
Am I chewing 30 times before swallowing? Am I making sure not to wash down my food too quickly? Am I being mindful of my insides? Or am I just eating for self-​gratification? What if I can’t pick up all of my bits of rice with chopsticks? I spent so much time counting the number of times I chewed, I don’t think I thought about much else while I was there. When we left, I was actually kind of hungry, mostly because I had been eating so slowly … and others had finished the food. It was all very silly.
PS: The fried eggplant is fantastic.

It’s a complete wank. The owner is shutting out business to follow her ethics (mostly about food wastage), but is alienating people on her side by making it such a ridiculous feat to eat there.
The food was decent, but really not worth the hassle.
If you *really* want to eat there, you need to call ahead, make a probationary booking for two people, and the owner may invite you to be a member, provided you don’t break her rules during your visit. Each time you go, you’re allowed to bring more guests, but you’ll get banned if they break her rules.

The Wafu Club on Cleveland Street in Redfern holds great interest to me. And not because I love the food or anything to do with the place. It’s because I can’t get in. And they don’t seem to want me in!
As you can see from the picture above, it’s only for reservation customers but I’m not allowed to ask about a reservation or how to become a member!
Another sign tells me I can’t become a member online and the only way to become a member is to be invited by a member. The website even says «Please do not call or email asking for a reservation or to become a member»
So if anyone is a member or knows a member and is willing to let me into the inner sanctum, I’d like to give it a go.
It is just a restaurant isn’t it? I’m intrigued!