The opening of Sandoitchi’s second store in Chatswood Chase in early 2024 brought me great delight. Finally, I could try their sandwiches at a more accessible location than their original Darlinghurst store, which, being on the fringe of the CBD, was just a bit too far for a weekday lunch stop.
Japanese Plum Watermelon, Orange Juice ($7.50)
Initially presented as a layered drink for its visual appeal, we found that stirring was necessary. Before stirring, the tartness of the ume and orange dominated the palate. However, after stirring, these flavours somewhat dissipated, giving way to the dominant taste of watermelon with a subtle acidity. Notably, the ume flavor became less discernible after stirring.
Prawn Katsu Sando ($19.00), with ‘sweet corn, yuzu mayo, Japanese mustard, thick cut white bread’.
The soft, pillowy bread served as a perfect contrast to the prawn katsu. The katsu itself featured a crispy exterior, enveloping a generously filled interior teeming with juicy, sweet shrimp complemented by an ample serving of corn kernels. The yuzu mayo and Japanese mustard provided a zesty, sharp kick with a touch of acidity and subtle heat, cutting through the fried exterior of the katsu and enhancing the overall flavour.
Chicken Katsu Sando ($17.50), with ‘avo and potato salad, miso mayo, tonkatsu sauce, lettuce, cabbage, carrot, apple kimchi, nori, soft white bread’.
This sandwich offered a remarkable array of textures and flavors, ranging from pillowy softness to crunchy crispness, and from sweet to savoury and tangy. The fried chicken, a juicy thigh with a crunchy coating, provided a satisfying contrast to the fresh components. Despite the diverse elements, they harmonized well together. The sandwich’s substantial size, fitting into a rectangular box at least 20 cm long, was surprising, prompting us to consider sharing a single sandwich on future orders.
Strawberry Sando ($17.50), with ‘yuzu whipped cream, soft white bread’.
This sweet sandwich was delightfully light and enjoyable. The strawberries offered a burst of incredible sweetness and fresh tartness, complemented by the lively addition of yuzu in the whipped cream, which lent it a subtle floral zest. The pillowy soft and light bread retained its freshness even after a few hours, maintaining its texture without becoming soggy from the whipped cream.
Sandoitchi’s sandwiches impressed us with their attention to quality and presentation. Although we’re not typically fans of sandwiches, we found ourselves enjoying these offerings and would certainly consider returning when craving a sandwich.
2025
In May 2025, Sandoitchi expanded its offerings beyond to include katsu bowls—featuring the same fillings typically placed between slices of milk bread, now served over sushi rice or soba noodles. This proved ideal for those who favour rice over bread.
Wagyu Menchi & Bone Marrow Katsu Bowl ($21.00)
Served with sushi rice (alternative: soba noodles) and topped with soy sauce (alternative: spicy soy), eggs, fried shallots, crispy seaweed, tonkatsu sauce, and cabbage.
The menchi katsu was exceptional, boasting a crisp crust and a rich, juicy beef interior. Each bite was layered with textural contrast—the crunch of fried shallots and cabbage, the delicacy of the egg, the umami of tonkatsu sauce, and the added lift of crispy seaweed and lettuce. The only shortcoming was the rice, which leaned too moist for preference, though still preferable to bread. Overall, a well-balanced and flavourful bowl worth revisiting.
Prawn Katsu Bowl ($18.50)
Served with sushi rice (alternative: soba noodles) and the same accompaniments.
The prawn katsu, already a favourite in sandwich form, performed even better here. Juicy prawns and corn kernels formed the centrepiece, elevated by the interplay of the same toppings as the Wagyu bowl. Removing the bread allowed the individual elements to shine, offering umami depth and pleasing textures throughout.
Black Sesame Affogato ($9.30)
The black sesame soft serve delivered a deeply nutty richness, with a smooth, only slightly icy consistency and no overt dairy weight. Paired with a well-extracted espresso—roasty, balanced, with low acidity—the dessert held its own without being overpowered. An elegant and satisfying finish.
Overall, the katsu bowls are a smart extension of Sandoitchi’s concept, successfully translating their sandwich fillings into rice bowl form. Despite minor issues with the rice, the katsu bowls offered excellent flavour, variety, and texture. The affogato stood out as a refined, flavour-forward dessert.
Sandoitchi is located at Lower Ground, Chatswood Chase Sydney, 345 Victoria Ave, Chatswood NSW 2067.