Cho Cho San

Good Food hat15/20Updated October 26, 2026,first published November 11, 2024Dependable, buzzy izakaya that looks and tastes as good as it did a decade ago.Cho Cho San might be 12 years old, but it feels as fresh and focused as the day it opened. From the minute you step into the concrete-clad, George Livissianis-designed space, you can be assured that service, izakaya-style snacks and well-concocted drinks (including refreshing non-alc and sake-spiked creations) will all be on point and delivered with impeccable attention to detail. Karaage is ubiquitous in this fried-chicken-loving city, but this one is a crunch above, the light, aromatic coating fried to golden perfection. Miso-glazed eggplant sticks, meanwhile, remain an essential order; dangerously crisp and syrupy, they’re halfway to churros. Pair both with sharp, chilli-laced pickled cucumber, then for a little less snap, house-made soba are delightfully chewy and coated in just the right amount of creamy, savoury sauce. And don’t skip plump tsukune cooked over charcoal and drizzled with a wildly addictive shiso bearnaise. Dessert? Joyful miso-caramel soft-serve or spongy black-sesame seed mochi keep the good times rolling.Good to know: Most of the menu is available for pick-up and takeaway. Good Food reviews are booked anonymously and paid independently. A restaurant can’t pay for a review or inclusion in the Good Food Guide.Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox.Sign upLast visited: May 2026More:Potts PointCho Cho SanSydneyJapaneseAccepts bookingsTakeawayGood for solo dinersLate-night diningGood for business lunchGood for groupsRestaurantReviewsGood Food GuideFrom our partners